This was my first year on the Saugerties Artist’s Studio Tour and it was a great experience. My new landlords, John and Angela Morano own what I call the “Little Yellow Van Gogh House” at 147 Market Street, Saugerties, NY. Of course, I am not in the same league as Vincent, but I am reminded of his “studio of the South” which was based in his rented Yellow House in Arles, France around 1888. He had the dream of artists coming together and supporting one another’s work in that house. John and Angela support my efforts of teaching young and older artists in my studio and being on the tour. I enjoy the space where I live and work and it is easy to keep it clean – no paint anywhere but on the canvases.

Support is a good word to use concerning the art tour. Most of the thirty-four artists met every month at the Senior Center to encourage each other in the venture of the annual event. Opening a studio to the public is an awesome task. Most studios are set up for work, not exhibition. Finding wall space is a challenge for a multitude of paintings so my show spilled out into the back yard. (I have not had a yard since living in my childhood home in northern Maine.)

I knew about 15- 20 people who came here over the two days. More than sixty people were new to me and everyone was complimentary. Even a couple of women who were steadfast abstract enthusiasts took time to view my representational work and made me feel encouraged to continue my pursuit. (My available abstract “Theory of Everything” is currently on exhibition at the Arts Society of Kingston until Aug. 26, 2014.)

One man was moved to tears when he viewed my “Aerial View of the Hudson Valley” award-winning pastel of Palenville from a plane. His family has lived in the Hudson Valley for 400 years or more. This is a dream of an artist – to have someone so moved emotionally by a work of art  that they can express it to us in some manner. Certainly, we artists employ every bit of our own emotion as we work on it.

I received an email from the woman who bought my pencil drawing “Fab Four” four sets of eyes of the Beatles. She expressed how much she is enjoying the work of art. This means a great deal to me! (And of course, “Big Pink” is in an honored place in the Boolukos home, I am told!)

Most of us artists spend a tremendous time alone in the studio – working- and we may spend a couple of hours at an art show where our work or a friend’s work is being displayed. The idea of spending eight consecutive hours speaking about our work (10 am – 6 pm for two consecutive days on the art tour) was a bit daunting at first. When I am not painting and /or teaching, I am writing about it – another job that requires alone time and a quiet atmosphere. Since I am shy by nature, I joined the Toastmasters Club in 2008 to help me verbally  express how I feel about art and to feel more comfortable meeting new people.

Teaching art is whole different matter. My focus is to share with another person the tremendous joy that there is in creating something beautiful. My classes are small (between 3 and 5 people at one time.) I used to teach 25 – 30 people at one time at the Community College and I felt as though I couldn’t connect with each individual as I can now.

I am very grateful to everyone who took the time to visit my studio and to those who bought art work. It makes me happy to know that the work has gone to good homes!