Just Practicing

Thinking that I might paint calla lilies on the art heart, and having never painted them before, I thought it might be a good idea to practice. The blue practice canvas was a hand-me-down leftover from my oldest daughter who (I think) got it from someone else.


FYI, the calla lily is a very sexy flower to paint, similar to painting the naked curves of a beautiful woman.

Twice the Heart

Someone at the American Heart Association must be really good at their job....because the Circle of Red has several new donors that came about directly as a result of the awareness raised from the art heart tour. These new donors were especially excited about the art hearts.

So, I'm pleased to announce (and immensely honored) that I've have been asked to create another art heart for a brand new patron of the Go Red for Women movement.


The six foot tall heart shape was delivered this morning, and I've already put an undercoat of pink on it. The image on this one will be entirely and completely different from the last one. The idea for what to paint on it is coming together....I'm nervously excited to get started!

Art Working

There are two things of note in this photograph. To the left of the goofy face, which is also actual left (mirror image), I am holding a small piece of sheet metal. It is provided to artists from Lawndale Art Center to make a retablo for their annual gala. It's become one of my favorite art projects every year. (This is my fifth year to participate.) Also, notice the ceiling in the studio. I finally finished caulking the cracks in the beadboard ceiling! Whew. It took six tubes of caulk and just over two weeks (not working everyday) to finish the job.


The two paintings on the easels are in process. I'm trying to figure out what to do next. (?) I know what I want them to look like, just not sure how to achieve it.


Pottery smashing has begun for my new mosaic project. Every time I do a mosaic (all three of them) I swear that I'll never do another one again. They are complicated, messy, and time consuming, not to mention the wear and tear on my fingertips. The design and idea for this mosaic is only in my head. It's an ambitious project (for me) so I don't feel at liberty to discuss what it will be, yet, because what if it's a complete flop? It happens.


There's one more big art, time consuming project that hopefully will begin next week. It's big. More on that next week.

Vincent

Much to my delight, I've been reading a book about Vincent van Gogh by Marc Edo Tralbaut and Edita Lausanne. It was published in 1969, and is a big, thick, heavy book with wonderful color reproductions of some of his paintings, and first hand, rich descriptions of van Gogh's relational style and personality from those who knew him. Reading the book, I couldn't help but be reminded of a BBC Dr. Who episode, and this wonderful scene.



His friend, P. C. Görlitz, writes this about a young Vincent:

"He was a singular man with a singular appearance into the bargain. He was well made, and had reddish hair which stood up on end; his face was homely and covered with freckles, but changed and brightened wonderfully when he warmed into enthusiasm, which happened often enough. Van Gogh provoked laughter repeatedly by his attitude and behaviour -- for everything he did and thought and felt, and his way of living, was different from that of others his age. At table he said lengthy prayers and ate like a penitent friar: for instance, he would not take meat, gravy, etc. And then his face had an abstracted expression -- pondering, deeply serious, melancholy. But when he laughed, he did so heartily and with gusto, and his whole face brightened."

Projects....

Beginning to gather supplies for a new art project....do any of y'all have some old broken pottery to donate to the cause?


Long overdue -- caulking the cracks in the bead board ceiling in the art studio. Hopefully it will help keep the studio from collecting the summer heat. Every little bit helps, right?


I thought that it would be easy, like decorating a cake. It wasn't.

How to Inadvertently Ruin a Good Pair of Shoes

Last week I read a blog that offered seven reasons blogs fail and what to do about it. Mistake #4 is "you don't produce useful information." The solution was to demonstrate ones expertise by offering valuable content. Well, here is my valuable content....how to inadvertently ruin a good pair of shoes.

Perhaps it's a little eccentric that a 47 year old woman considers a pair of pink chucks to be her good dress shoes. (And the fact that I only paid $6 at a consignment store for them is beside the point.)

As a color to use when painting, phthalo blue is beautiful. Sort of a bluey green, it becomes a rich delicate shadow when mixed with white. Mixed with red, it becomes almost black. It mixes well to make gray, and is lovely to use for an overcast Texas late winter sky, when applied correctly.

As an artist, I am aware that phthalo blue, once applied, is impossible to remove. This fact was discovered, rather discouragingly, after a young child touched one of my wet paintings and promptly proceeded to clean his hands on the nearest soft surface -- the yellow sofa. That stain is a daily reminder to practice what I preach -- that people are more important than "things" -- but in this instance, I see the sofa more than I see the child. It's just easier to blame the child, because the sofa was an innocent victim -- a bystander -- who was in the right place at the wrong time. (In vain, I try to cover the stain with a throw blanket.)

Yesterday, when Hilary announced that she was going to run a few errands, I jumped at the chance to tag along. After not painting for nearly two weeks, I was back in the painting spirit, but tired and ready for a break.

While shopping with Hilary, I noticed some paint on my hand. (Uh oh. How'd that get there?) Then Hilary noticed paint on the front of my shirt. (What?) There was paint all over my shoes. I had taken off my shoes and socks to try on some sandals, which is how the paint ended up on my hands. (and shirt?) That also meant that the paint somehow got on my socks, which means that the paint is inside my shoes. The paint that was on the inside of my right big toe was kicked all down the side of my inside left foot, and consequently back up the inside of my right foot. In short, the shoes I was wearing, my pink chucks, my good shoes, are covered in a paint color that refuses all forms of stain removal.

It must have had something to do with gravity, because how else would the phthalo blue Texas winter sky have ended up on my shoe?

The helpful advice is this: gravity causes paint to sometimes fall toward the ground. If ones shoe is in the way, and the paint is phthalo blue, this could be an insurmountable problem. Be very careful of gravity (and small children) when using phthalo blue.

Sweet Heart Ride

The art hearts have moved again. The one I painted is now on the northeast corner of West Gray and South Shepherd in the River Oaks Shopping Center. It will be there through the first week of August.


Not too far away is Archway Gallery where the painting that was inspired by this art heart is on view.

An Ice Cream Social on July 31st from noon to 6pm will close out Archway Gallery's Third Annual Juried Show. Chicago Kim will be on premises with her Sweet Ride ice cream truck. Purchase your favorite frozen treat, walk through the gallery, see the art, and enjoy a free beverage. It should be fun for all ages. I mean, come on, who doesn't like an ice cream truck?

Inventory

I gave myself a personal goal a year ago -- to paint 35 paintings. At the end of completing those 35 paintings, I would assess their cohesiveness and see if there is continuity and an emerging style. If there is continuity, at that point I'll consider what to do next, as far as continuing to pursue art as a career. "Hilary in a Gray Shirt" was my 32nd painting since setting that goal, so I'm really close.

"Hilary in a Gray Shirt" was also my 218th painting to date....whatever that means.

There are 97 paintings (of mine) in our house right now, which means that more than half of them live somewhere else.

According to my research, it appears that my paintings live in at least 75 different homes or offices.

My paintings have been in 21 different galleries.

Approximately two dozen paintings have been donated to various causes. I'll continue to support the causes with good will, just not with paintings for their auctions. However, I'll consider donating a painting if the artist gets a percentage of the auction bids, gets to meet the winning bidder, and gets a free ticket to the event.

The last time the website was updated was 50 paintings ago. There's got to be an easy way to keep it current. Any web designers out there want to barter a professional, easy to update website for a painting?

There are ten blank canvases in the studio. I've no clue what to paint next.

There are at least three paintings (of mine) that I'd love to keep forever.

This blog entry is my 505th post.

All of this has happened within the last six years.

Hilary in a Gray Shirt

Close up of the portrait of my 3rd daughter, Hilary.



20" x 24" oil on linen portrait of "Hilary in a gray shirt".

From a Fan's Point of View, the Best Opening Reception EVER

This past weekend was the opening reception for Archway Gallery's 3rd Annual Juried Competition. It was SO much fun.


The Amazing Reese and I got there relatively on time, which gave us time to take the requisite photo of the painting and me posing in a gallery setting. Expecting a crowd, the gallery very wisely had fans positioned throughout the space in order to facilitate air flow, which lent itself to more than one Marilyn Monroe moment with my full skirt.

The juror for the show was Bert Long, a Houstonian and internationally acclaimed artist. As stated before, I've long been an admirer of his. When Archway Gallery sent out the artist call for this show, the main reason I entered was so that Bert Long would see my work. Then when "Cottonwood" was selected, I was beside myself because here, finally, was my opportunity to meet Bert Long.


(Can you tell how excited I am? That's Bert Long!) Devotedly, I followed him around like a puppy dog waiting for the opportunity to introduce myself and thank him for selecting my work for the show. Had I been an actual puppy, it would have looked like my tail was wagging, but that was just the gallery wind blowing up my skirt.


I'd like to think that we became fast friends the moment we met, but the grown up in me knows better. He very graciously spent some quality time with me talking about the painting, the technique, the brush strokes, etc., and how he selected "Cottonwood" not only because it's worthy on its own today, but because he sees promise in my artistic future. (!) The critique was very humbling and affirming at the same time.


The gallery had the right idea about the fans. The opening reception was absolutely packed. Several groups of our friends came out in support. It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the art -- not just "Cottonwood", but the whole show. Bert Long did a fantastic job of selecting the pieces in the exhibit, showcasing artistic skill, heart, soul, messages, and variety -- lots of variety.


It just so happens that Bert Long and I have mutual friends, he's a neighbor of some of our long time friends, and I'm a neighbor of one of his long time friends. Of course, as this was pointed out to him, he briefly and silently studied me, peering over his glasses, like he couldn't decide if I was crazy or not. (I'm not -- really.) Bert Long didn't know it, but we've been one degree of separation for years.


The delightful evening wouldn't have been possible without the Amazing Reese. Not only is he adorable arm candy, without his supportive enthusiasm, it wouldn't have occurred to me to consider being an artist as a "career". It's incredible to think that all of this has happened in the last six years. (And that Bert Long talked about my FUTURE as an artist! So cool.) Thanks, Amazing husband Reese.


At the end of the evening, the very approachable Bert Long, with a little nudge from his lovely companion, Joan Batson, agreed to pose with me in front of "Cottonwood". I couldn't have been happier.

Joy at 19

Delightfully, sweet daughter Joy agreed to pose for me yesterday. I started with a quick sketch on a toned canvas, just to make sure the eyes, nose, mouth, and hair were all in the right places, more or less. They were a little less than more, but the general idea was there.


Then, as I started applying color, the shape of the face became more defined. The eyes, nose, and mouth all found their way to the right part of the face, too. At this point, it was getting late, and Joy was tired of sitting...maybe I should say tired of sitting still...so I took a few reference photos to finish the portrait later.....


....which I did this afternoon.

This was one of those paintings that I dreamed about in the night, so finishing it was easier than some of the other paintings I've done. I don't know why that happens sometimes, the dreaming, I mean. (?) Why do some paintings flow, and others languish in painter's purgatory? It's a mystery. Funny thing, though, just a week or two ago Joy posed for me. That painting (on this exact same canvas) was so horrifying that I wiped it off before anyone could see it.


Joy is happy with this portrait, as am I. It's always a huge plus when the subject of the portrait likes the finished work. It's a 14" x 18" oil on linen.

Coming Up!

"Cottonwood" was selected for Archway Gallery's Third Juried Exhibition!


Bert Long was the juror, which is very exciting for me, because I've been an admirer of his for some time. (We've never met.)

The opening reception is July 9th from 5-8pm at Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy (in Houston). A portion of the proceeds from the sale of any artwork in the exhibit benefit the Houston Area Women's Center. Bert Long will also auction one of the photos from his collection with all proceeds going to the Houston Area Women's Center.

Lauren

Since it's been a while since I painted a portrait, I asked her if she minded being an art guinea pig. She replied, "Honey I don't care a whit about the risks and dangers of being an art guinea pig. I'm just coming because you asked for sitters, and sitting is something I can do. Just play with it!"

Sure enough, she was great at sitting. You'd think she had done it all of her life. Well, besides the obvious that she HAS been sitting most of her life, she was a very good art guinea pig, I mean model.


The bottom photo was taken after two hours of painting. The top photo was taken after letting the painting dry for a couple of days, and then going back with a reference photo and touching up the finer details in the face. She was fun to paint.


At this point, the paintings will stay in my collection. (I'm working toward building up a cohesive body of work. The last time I painted a portrait from a live model sitting was last September, unless my self portrait counts, and in that case it was last November.) It's such a blessing and never ceases to amaze that people will come sit for me. Much thanks to Lauren. After two hours of intently studying her face and enjoying good conversation, I can say with certainty that Lauren is beautiful inside and out.

What She Said

In spite of not painting all last week, I have been busy with art related stuff. The best part of the week was visiting with my art friend, Joan. Besides the fact that she is WONDERFUL, we can talk "art" for hours....and did. It was incredibly refreshing for my soul to have her here, and she was especially gracious to stay and visit considering that the downstairs a/c is on the blink. It was 84 degrees in the cool part of the house when she left. Sorry about that, Joan.

Believe it or not, I consider reading (and since it's art, looking at pictures) part of my continuing art education. And because it's been so hot downstairs, I've taken the opportunity to "read" (look at pictures) upstairs where the a/c works just fine. (Why didn't I think to take Joan upstairs for our visit? Oh, right, the bedroom was messy.) For the first time ever, I learned about (in American Art Review) and fell in love with an artist's work, by the name of Robert Henri. In particular, I like his portraits of Irish children. The portraits were painted toward the end of his career and are poignant and beautifully rendered; not too fussy, but not too loose, either. Beautiful.

I also read an article in Professional Artist magazine by Jack White about earned success. He states, "Earned success is when you do something to the best of your ability and are pleased with the results." It is very easy, as an artist, any profession really, to get caught up in the amount of money one makes or awards received. Not that there's anything wrong with achievements. Plus, awards are huge confidence builders. And Lord knows without commissions I'd have a hard time paying for paints and canvases. But "art" is so subjective that to spend too much energy worrying about every professional rejection would be foolish. So, in this instance, have I painted to the best of my ability, and am I pleased with the finished painting? More and more, the answers to those questions is YES. In fact, I'm so confident that I'm on the right track with my painting that a recent professional rejection hardly stung at all, (though it is a little hard to admit it to you, gentle reader.)

Apology

This is a public apology to the blue tree painting from the previous post.

Dear Blue Tree painting, formerly known as "Exhibit A,"

As you sit on the easel waiting to dry, much to my delight and surprise, I actually like you. Please accept my sincere apology for referring to you as a crime scene. The fault lies with me for being unaware of the quirky beauty of your blue trunk and limbs. It is my sincere hope that you live in light, happiness, and comfort on a wall, not in a sad, dark closet.

Thank you in advance for providing cool shade for my soul, never ending branches for my thoughts, and deep roots as I continue to grow as an artist. Thank you for sharing your life with me.

With much respect and affection,
Sarah

Crime Scene

The other day I was looking though a closet trying to find a pair of work boots, and saw this..... well, a version of this. The version I saw was at least the third version of the painting, which makes this one at least the fourth, maybe the fifth version of the same scene.

I don't remember the first time I painted this or even where it is. It's one of the paintings that was troublesome from the beginning. Why? Who knows? But it was. Still is.



It's a mess up close. Even now I'm shaking my head in disbelief....that so much effort could go into something for so little result. (It's probably going back in the closet after it dries.) The only reason I'm not throwing it away or burning it is because the canvas was so dang expensive. It's fancy Belgian linen and the Scottish in me can't bear to waste it.

Daughter Hilary looked at it and said, "You're trying too hard." She's right, but believe me when I say that it looks better now than it did a few days ago. (not saying much)

I'm calling it "Exhibit A."

Wiki Wow

Daughter Anna wrote a Wikipedia page (about me) as a gift to me for Mother's Day. It was a complete surprise. Friends on facebook have teasingly suggested some revisions....

For the record, I like real craft beer, not "lite" anything.

My sister's name is Elizabeth. She's 10 years younger than me and super cool.

My first love was Running. Though I have fond memories from our time together, we split up quite a few years ago. Running and I were no longer in a relationship at the time, but it didn't stop me from going to meet running icons Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers. Frank and Bill even signed my old running/training logs (which I still have -- why?) Big, big thrill.

Lily Pondering

As mentioned in the last blog entry, for a couple of weeks, I've been working (floundering) on a painting of the back yard lily pond. It had gotten to a point where I was ready to put the painting away for a while, not because it was finished, but because it was extremely unfinished. I couldn't figure out what to do to make it "work."

Then today happened. The first wonderful thing that happened was running into a dear friend while on my morning walk with Tilly. Anyone can attest that I'm not a morning person, but seeing such a dear friend made the morning sweet. Then, after two generous cups of coffee, I got a phone call from dear friends who now live in Austin. Someone had sent them the local news article of the art heart and they called to share in the good news. How nice is that!?

Instead of putting the painting away, a hint of inspiration appeared, directly correlating, I believe, with the generosity of heart felt at having seen and talked to dear friends. Working with a new spirit, starting to get lost in the creativity, there was a knock on the door. Another long time friend, the kind with whom instant history is shared, dropped in for a short chat. Just as she was leaving, the dearest of friends dropped in on their drive from Missouri to Corpus Christi, TX. Needless to say, such sweetness of friendship fills my love tank. Not only that, but my artistically creative tank was filled as well. (I'm pretty sure the lily pond painting is now finished....)


And even though I feel extreme gratitude that painting is a gift, (I DO love painting,) being an artist is ofttimes a very lonely pursuit. But today, today was different. Today I was given the best of both worlds.

Photo Coming Soon

Even though it's not obvious from reading my last four blog posts, I have been painting. It's just that there hasn't been a large chunk of time to devote to the pursuit. So, I've been working on a painting of the back yard lily pond in increments -- thin layer after thin layer as time allows. I'm painting in thin layers so that the paint will dry quickly AND so that when there is time to paint, I don't have to worry about muddying the colors. Photo coming soon.

Also, there has been a very positive response (to me) about the art heart article (page 4) in the Village News. Craig P. Howard took my fumbling responses to his questions and wrote something cohesive, interesting, and informative. Thank you, Craig P. Howard. One dear friend even told me that she cut out the article and put it in her family photo album. So sweet. Thank you, Thelma.

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Time's the Charm

Have you ever fallen in love with something in a book? And then you get to actually see and experience first hand the very thing with which you had already fallen in love? That's exactly what happened to me. The National Gallery in DC recently loaned 50 works of art to the MFAH while the National Gallery was being renovated.....not just any works, but 50 of the greatest examples of French Impressionism ever created.

The first time I went to the exhibit it brought tears to my eyes and I hastily scribbled notes so as not to forget anything. The second time visiting, with more subdued emotion, I took more detailed notes, and appreciated the paintings on a more intellectual level. The third time, I went with a museum docent friend, and we experienced the paintings in a whole new way, still exciting and wonderful emotion, but also sharing unseen details in the paintings and more background about the artists. The fourth time seeing the exhibit, I went with two docent friends, and it was just as awesome and perhaps even more wonderful, if that's possible. The fifth time seeing the exhibit, it was just as exciting because a group of ladies from church were there. Even though there wasn't as much time to thoroughly devote to savoring each painting, it was fun to see friends enjoying the paintings I love.

Also, a friend alerted me to an article (with me in it) about the art hearts on public display. If the link works, the article is on page four.

Double also, there was a couple at our pet therapy class last night without a pet. Turns out they had come because someone had told them that a beautiful poodle named Tilly was in the class. They came to the class just to meet Tilly!

Hearts on Tour

OH MY GOODNESS! I'm so excited!

An alert friend was driving through Rice Village the other day and noticed my art heart on public display at the corner of University and Morningside. It's been such fun to see it there. (We live close by and yes, I've made a few trips slightly out of the way just to take a peek.)


The art hearts will be on view now through July 31st. After that, each of the hearts will belong to the respective Circle of Red patrons. (This heart belongs to Bobbie Nau.)

(For more information, go to this link ---> art heart tour.)

Sarah's Super Simple Sugar Cookies

Cooking, in my humble opinion, is an art form. In cooking, recipes are just guidelines. The recipe calls for asparagus but you only have peas -- no problem. Grape nuts can be substituted for bread crumbs. No artichokes? Use squash instead. It really doesn't matter when cooking.

Baking, however, is a science. If proportions aren't just so, or the recipe isn't followed exactly, the whole thing can flop. Too much flour and it's dry. Too little levening, and it's a brick. Fold in the beaten eggs at the wrong time, or forget to alternate the flour with the milk -- both lead to disasterous baking results. It's all so exacting.

For years I have been searching for the perfect sugar cookie recipe. There are some good ones out there, but never have I found THE ONE....until now. This might be it. And it just so happens that my brain thought it up all by itself, surprisingly enough.

Sarah's Super Simple Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder

Cream butter and sugar.
Add vanilla and eggs.
Add flour & baking powder mix.

Bake 9 minutes at 375 degrees.

Sweet Tilly Blessings

When we first got Tilly several months ago, she was so sweet and gentle that it seemed like she could be a comfort to others as she has been for us. After nursing her back to health physically, I went about contacting a group here in Houston called Faithful Paws. Faithful Paws' mission is to bring trained animals into hospitals, nursing homes and rehab facilities in order to administer therapy to adults and children. The therapy can be as simple as letting a patient pet a dog, or letting the patient work on fine motor skills by brushing the dog.

Animal assisted therapy is recognized as being both therapeutic and recreational. Health care professionals have noticed and documented the therapeutic effect of animal companionship, such as relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, and raising spirits. In recent years, therapy dogs have even been enlisted to help children overcome speech and emotional disorders. (Wow.)

Before attending the first training class, the Amazing Reese and I were invited to participate in a "blessing of the animals." There were dogs of all description, birds, cats, mice, hamsters, and even a turtle in attendance, all with their humans, of course. After a short outdoor service that included a homily, a few prayers, and singing All Things Bright and Beautiful, we all lined up with our pets for a blessing by the preacher dude. Here, the preacher dude (priest?) has just finished blessing Tilly in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Amen.)


The preacher dude (minister?) couldn't stop gushing over how beautiful and sweet Tilly is. (She is.) Teasingly, I said, "I bet you say that to all the dogs." (He doesn't.)

Tilly did surprisingly well at our first class last week, considering she was basically new at all of the skills. (Sit. Down. Stay. Tilly, come! Good girl.) We've been working hard all week long, taking advantage of every opportunity to practice in public. (Sit. Down. Stay. Tilly, come! Good girl.) Tilly excels at giving unconditional love....or at least the dog form of unconditional love. She'll let you tug her ears and tail, hug, and pet her ad infinitum. The hardest discipline for Tilly, and what we've specifically been working on this week, is over-reacting when she sees a cat or a squirrel. (Tilly, look at me.) And me? Sympathetic to her natural instincts, I have to train MYSELF to train her to not react in those situations. (Good girl, Sarah.)

Wiggly Life with Tulips

Yesterday was one of those days....no, no, no, not one of THOSE days; just an ordinary day with expectations, and then the expectations were crushed. It was a day where I had set aside a time and prepared a still life to paint. Everything was ready. And then, by the grace of God, one of my daughters agreed to pose for me....and so I painted her instead. And the portrait was SO terrible, that I wiped it off and wondered if all of this was a fluke. Do I even know how to paint? Then, because the still life was prepared, I painted that, too. In my insecurity, last night I was whining and moaning about not knowing anything and Reese reminded me that I go through this process about twice a month -- wondering if I actually know how to paint....and then I dreamed about it. I actually dreamed about writing this blog entry (and the responses to it), spilling all of my insecurities about painting and wondering if painting/art is what I should continue to pursue....


So after painting my daughter and wiping all of the work off the canvas because the painting was grotesque, I painted a still life of tulips. The last time I painted tulips was several years ago. That time and this, the tulips kept moving and changing so much that they were hard to follow and paint. They wiggled. They weren't still at all. Who knew tulips behaved this way? So, instead of calling this a Still Life with Tulips, this is called a Wiggly Life with Tulips. It's 12" x 16" oil on linen.

Get Thee From A Nunnery

Back in the 50's and 60's, my grandmother (for whom I am named) had an antique shop on State Street in Jackson, Mississippi. To find items for her shop, she scoured the countryside for treasures. On one trip to New Orleans she found a pile of chairs on the street outside a nunnery. My guess is that sometime between 1960 and 1974, my grandmother was in the right place at the right time when these chairs were being thrown out with the trash. The best I can figure from a little bit of internet research, is that the chairs came from the old Ursuline Convent, which, in 1960, was declared a National Historic Landmark.

My parents have the chairs around their breakfast table in Mississippi. Either my grandmother collected all of the chairs outside the convent and sold one, or someone else gathered a few, because surprisingly enough, this one, the one in the painting, was discovered at The Guild Shop here in Houston.


The Guild Shop is a consignment/re-sale shop with an ever changing inventory. When the Amazing Reese and I got married, we, as mentioned before, were so poor we couldn't even afford the "o" and the "r" in poor. We were just po. To furnish our home, I followed in my grandmother's footsteps, scouring the streets and re-sale shops for almost every piece of furniture we have. On one of my many trips to the Guild Shop, I saw this chair and, of course, recognized it immediately.

The Guild Shop lists three prices on each item they sell. The highest price is a "buy it now" price. The second lower price is generally one month later, with the final lowest price marked at the beginning of the third month. Taking a chance (because we were po,) I waited until the final markdown price to buy it. (I even put the final markdown date on the calendar.) At the front door when the Guild Shop opened the beginning of that third month, I hurried to the chair to claim it. On my heels, another person was coming for the same chair, also having put the date on his calendar for the final markdown, and was supremely disappointed to have missed it.

This trash to treasure chair is one of my favorite pieces of furniture in our home and is living happily in the art studio. (I honestly can't verify the history of this particular chair, but the eight chairs around my parent's breakfast table are just like it, and I'd like to think that my grandmother touched this chair, too.)