Weekend Celebration

"Dog Days II"

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

I am a member of a wonderful coop group of artists who have our own gallery (actually it has been there for over 20 years and I have only been there for 2!), Studios on High Gallery, in the Short North Arts District just north of downtown Columbus, Ohio. This city has a wealth of talented artists, and our gallery has 18 of them making original paintings, drawings, sculpture, glass and fiber arts.

The first Saturday of every month for 20 years, the galleries and business in the district have stayed open late and hosted a Gallery Hop which combines art viewing, shopping, dining, along with a bit of street fair activities. Oh, and a great load of fun if you are into people watching! So it's no wonder with all of that, the event has grown into an enormous success with thousands of visitors each month.

This coming Saturday, Sept. 1, Gallery Hop will be even more special with the lighting of 17 street-light arches. These arches were landmarks of the neighborhood and Columbus in the early 20th century. (The political and logistical nightmare to get this done has been going on for years, so you can imagine how exciting this is to have these landmarks lit!)

I am very, very proud to be a native Columbus girl, who has seen this city grow and thrive. And I love being an artist who hangs her work in the Short North Arts District. Pinch me!

If you are ever in Columbus, stop by the gallery to see my work and stay late to experience the nightlife and to see the arches! Oh, and don't forget to drop me a note if you're planning a visit.

On The Street

"Respite" - Phase 5

colored pencil drawing

18 x 20"

Last Saturday evening, during the Gallery Hop in the Short North Arts District in Columbus, four artists (one was me!) from Studios on High Gallery, set up our easels and tables and made art out on the street. In front of a lot of people. The Hops in this area attract thousands every month, especially during the warmer weather months, and this past Saturday was really "hopping".

As an artist, most of us are introverts and are never happier than when we are alone in our studios making our art. However, in order to sell it (which only serves to support our habit of making it), we have to come out of hiding once in a while. But it is WAY out of our comfort zones. (There are exceptions, right Sandy?)

I have heard it said that showing your art in public is like standing naked on a street corner and singing an aria. You do feel extremely exposed. But jumping out into that void with other artist friends felt like a bit of a safety net. And once out there, all of us found a very receptive, kind and admiring audience.

So lesson learned: overcome your fear and jump, it might be a whole lot of fun, especially if you take a friend or two with you.

"Every day do something that frightens you." (Eleanor Roosevelt)

First Sign

"First Sign"

10 1/2 x 13/1/2" unframed

17 x 20 1/2" framed

colored pencil

$275.00 + shipping

E-mail if you are interested: rtucker@funtrail.com

Since I have been busy working at Studios on High Gallery over the weekend, and then heading to Cincinnati to see my sister on Easter Sunday, I haven't been in my studio. But I thought you might enjoy seeing a piece I made last year about this time; especially since most of the daffodils around here have frozen!

I hope to make a few new drawings this week, but my youngest son is home from school for spring break. And since the first nine years of his life have flown by, I plan to spend some quality time with him.

In the mean time, I'll post some of my older work and some news about other stuff I have seen and done recently.