Seven Silent Nights

As the year closes I receive a fine gift...a lovely article about the Kingston Residenecy and the National Park project...written by Jan Gaillard for The Virginian Pilot on December 20...

http://epilot2.hamptonroads.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VlBiZWFjb24vMjAwNy8xMi8yMCNBcjAzMDAw

Hopper to the White House

Talk about doing the town...what fun. Drove up to DC for the day and stopped first at The National Gallery to visit the Edward Hopper Exhibition http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/hopperinfo.shtm

Hopper has been a favorite painter of mine since I was a youngun'. The Cleveland Museum has a fabulous Truro landscape that is on loan to this exhibit so it was like seeing a dear old friend mixed in with so many never-seen-before gems.

After Hopper...on to the artist's reception at the White House hosted by Laura Bush. Oh my oh my. Think most fabulous artist opening ever. This was all about celebrating the National Parks, monuments, historic sites, seashores and memorials with each represented by a hand painted miniature work...an 18" diameter ornament...the diversity and variety of techniques and subjects is mesmerizing...and meeting so many artists from all over the country was just so incredible and ...well this was a dazzling day! ... an opportunity to celebrate the beauty, wonder and distinct grandeur of the many varied and magnificent landscapes and memorials across the land.

Heading to the Big House

I'm surprised and 'all a twitter' to be invited to a reception at the White House commemorating the National Park Centennial http://www.doi.gov/news/07_News_Releases/070823.html.

It'll be so fine to meet up with over 300 artists from around the country each of us asked to design a globe ornament for the tree that will honor the parks.