Marvelsome!

Whew, what a summer is has been!  So singly focused on preparations for the exhibit that forming complete sentences over something other than any topic unrelated, ceased.  I was getting a bit concerned.  The moment of "okay, I think I'm back to me again" came as soon as I got in my car after hanging the exhibit with Elmer Lucille Allen and Randy Weber the Thursday before the opening.  And every morning since then I wake feeling rejuvenated and that is even before a cup of java!

Often I sit back and marvel at the people in and around my life and thank God for what is a beautiful coat of friendships and blessings.  I meditate on this frequently. Doing so reconnects me to hope and a feeling to not "panic" in the face of Crazy and Chaos that wants to insert as Normal in the affairs of humanity. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, who came to the opening Friday reflected this in my life.  There was a steady stream of visitors for the 4 hours...as a few would leave, a few would arrive, which allowed me to spend time with everyone talking about the art work.  I face my limitations and awkwardness when trying to work through a room of a group of people so in my mind, the evening went as it was intended to show the best me possible.  This also allowed Elmer Lucille to take photos of me with everyone who came and in turn I have a great photo documentation of my very first exhibit opening.

To illustrate and share what I mean...Penny Sisto, her husband Dick Sisto, and Beth Schnellenberger were the first to arrive and for me it signaled that all was in order for a great evening.  Penny and Dick are cultural ambassadors and Beth and I are members of LAFTA.

The next day I received this email from Penny---

Dear Karoda, I loved seeing your new pieces..especially ones seen in progress on your Blog..it was unusual for Richard to come with me but when he heard that it was you and that Elmer ran the gallery he wanted to come..

Your work is amazingly complex and mysterious, it draws you in and is deeply satisfying..that is not easy to accomplish in fabrics..your stitching floors me..looks as though small fairy fingers had stitched it! the hieroglyphics are brilliant..

Elmer, thank you for the gallery, it was so inspiring to see it ..It was hung with space for each piece..Elmer, I admire you so much, there seems to be nothing that you cannot do..you are such a beacon in a world that seems at times to have gone mad..

Both of you..I am so lucky to know you..

Congratulations on the show...

A few days before the opening I, as Fate would have it, I met Ramona Lindsey.  She was wondering around Mellwood and I acting in an unofficial capacity as a Mellwood ambassador asked her if she was looking for something specific or just browsing around (Mellwood is a maze of a building so its always a great question to ask to strike up conversation). 

The back story is that Ramona has been away from Louisville for 15 years and only relocated back here 2 weeks ago and IS A FIBER ARTIST!  Now as large as Mellwood is, I could have very well missed meeting this kindred spirit, but at the right moment it all came together.  Ramona was juried into THE Saint James Art Fair, which is always in the top 5 of art and craft festivals in the nation and is known for the buying crowd and collectors in attendance.  (Congrats to you!) Check out more of Ramona's work at her website.

As for the rest of September, I'm taking it easy outside of the studio and my main goal is to start volunteering for the reelection of President Obama.    Also, I've committed to setting up and sharing a booth with 2 other artists at the Good Folk Festival the first weekend in November.  

I have more to share but as porky pig would say "thats all folks".