I usually open my gallery on Memorial Day, but I was mucking around in Britain until early June. (I don’t regret that one bit.) When I got home, I still had to build the darn thing from scratch. My absolute drop-dead date was the 4th of July, and I’ve made it by the skin of my teeth.
When I moved to Rockport, my gallery was in my studio, which is a lovely, airy, large space on the back of our house. Visitors got a behind-the-scenes look at what I do. However, when COVID came to town, that space was closed down. My solution was a tent in the driveway.
In the meantime, I started teaching on Zoom and recording how-to-paint classes. When social distancing disappeared, there was no longer room for a gallery inside my studio.
There were things I loved about the tent gallery. People could see it from the road, and there was enough fresh air for even the most dedicated social distancers. But there’s a reason we don’t store paintings outdoors. Wind and rain have done real damage to my inventory. Plus, there was no space to gather people and host an opening.
I researched using a tiny house (not handicapped-accessible) or another structure (difficult to place on this lot). The best solution was to put my gallery in the first 11 feet of our garage. I’m very grateful to my friend Barb Whitten and my husband. If it were up to me, we’d still be trying to figure out places for all the stuff that was in there. My husband worked with me every day since. It’s the most time we’ve spent on a project since we built our first house in 1987.
Coastal color combination
You’d think after all that work, I’d enjoy picking out the paint, but instead I punted to my kids. I made about a half-dozen photo montages of my paintings in front of various paint chips and asked them to choose. The blue you see was not my first choice, but seeing it with the paintings, I think my kids were right.
“This house is becoming fifty shades of blue,” I told my daughter. But that deep blue-violet is a perfect foil for landscape paintings.
How to find me
My gallery (and studio) are at 394 Commercial Street, Rockport, ME. Hours are noon-5, Tuesday-Sunday until at least Labor Day. See you soon!
Nice Job!! I like the blue!
Looks beautiful! Congrats, this is a great accomplishment.
Here is the question: I too now have a gallery/ studio on my property and I am wondering how one goes about painting plein air elsewhere when one has hours? Only morning painting? Sunsets? of course then as that is the best light. Last week while I was in Parrsboro Chris fielded a customer. Where does peripatetic come in (my favorite word from you)? Cannot be too far afield.
Congrats on the space! I pinch myself every time I walk in mine.
In the morning, since I’m seldom any good in the evening. When I’m away at events or teaching a workshop, my husband is minding the store, unless he’s also away (which will happen during Camden on Canvas). In that case I put a large notice up saying I’m to be found at X. But that only works with local events.
It looks wonderful! I can’t wait to see it for real.
The paintings look perfect in your gallery. And I’m assessing for all your good teaching techniques. 😊. Love that blue 🦋. Congratulations!
Congratulations! I’m glad the floor finally dried. We’ll stop by on Saturday.
I was sooooo right! That garage made a perfect gallery! And your kids nailed it on the wall color. One day I’m coming back to see it! Congratulations! Job well done! You and Your husband did a great job!
Congratulations! I like the blue. Looks fantastic! I was there when you built your house in 1987. I remember helping with the siding.
Carol,
The walls painted this lovely blue are PERFECT for hanging your works! Your kids got it right, indeed! <3 I love your new Gallery Space in your garage! Much better than a tent! You and Doug rocked it…working side by side! What a team! I hope you make many sales in this lovely new Gallery of yours. Have you given it a name? Sign out front? So happy for you! <3
It looks gorgeous! Congratulations!!!