Mark Twain Library Art Show

Yesterday was all about assembling a portfolio of work for display and sale, framing and packing up 25 paintings in all to submit for jurying at the Mark Twain Library in Redding, CT. At some point last night, I was pretty close to calling the whole thing off and wondering why I left so much to the last day. The works below won't be available for purchase, except through the MTL, until Dec. 12.

Today I awoke to brighter skies. I rode with a friend and fellow artist through some beautiful countryside to deliver the fruits of our labors. We met a lot of nice and helpful people, looked around at the other (very impressive) art submissions, and hung out in a nearby cafe for a few hours to await the judge's verdict. 

We both got in!

NYBG Cacti

Portland Peony

I, among so many others, attended a Mark Twain Elementary School. Mine was in Lawndale, CA. However, it turns out this particular library really does have a direct connection with Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain. It was a pet project of his near the end of his life. It's not a municipal library and relies on most of its funding from the public so I was happy to donate a painting to the silent auction they will hold during their gala this Friday night. Exciting stuff! Interesting facts re: Twain's library here:

http://www.marktwainlibrary.org/PDF-Files/MTLbro3.pdf