A proper farewell in place, the show was and is great, and Dale [for others, the co-director and an instructor at The Atelier] told me in a long conversation later that you were going to be very greatly missed.

I'm sure it will be with mixed feelings that Minnesota bids you adieu on such a beautiful string of spring days. You are the rare west Washingtonian who admits to a bit of rain at that longitude and latitude. I ran into that in Maine, whilst attempting a plein air coup, but instead I have in my office the artwork of locals who have long mastered the light-impaired landscape. They showed me it can be done.

If you can't stop for long in Montana, at least pause roadside just west of the North Dakota border and go out into the field, pull some sage leaves from the brush, rub them into your hands and hold your palms to your face and breathe. That's the same feeling that wanting to paint gives you. Hang onto it.

Debra,

Congratulations! I am filled with admiration and excitement for you. Travel safely.

Debra,

Congratulations! We would love to get a glimpse of your new studio after it gets underway. I wish you the best.

Garth

Thank you Garth, Chris, Linda, Michele and Enzie. We spent today loading the moving truck and will head for Washington tomorrow morning (Tuesday) so I'll be off-line for about a week. We'll have three vehicles heading west with only one driver each so we're going to take it kind of slow, four days on the road, instead of the usual two we've done in the past.

I'll enjoy keeping you posted on the progress of the studio. I had the opportunity to visit the studios of several artists and pick their brains for ideas so I'm hoping to come up with a good workable studio.

Michele, I'll be in Montesano, which is 40 miles west of Olympia. I have a call to you on my mental "to do" list. So expect to hear from me as soon as things calm down a little bit.

Steven, it was good to see you again! I'm glad we got the chance to talk before I left town. I'll look for the sage.

Hi Ya'll,
We're back! My temporary studio is up and running! I have a still life going, and I'm composing a landscape painting. My next project is to find someone to model for a portrait. I have numerous friends and relatives I can call on so I just have to get out there and make the effort. I plan to set up a photo session with my 3 year old grandson, and see if I can get my teenage niece to sit for me.

Debra, a big congrats on finishing! This is grate news. Line up the relatives for sure and just go to town. If they start complaining charge them to sit for you. After you do a few portraits they will fight to sit for you. Such fun.

Thanks Misha, that's my plan!