the creatives {№1}

"the only rule i have is to try something new with each piece."

-nancy garretson, weaver, abingdon, virginia

i am lucky to teach in abingdon several times per year.  this small town in southwest virginia is a relatively undiscovered treasure.  it is full of history, natural beauty, stories, amazing food and southern graciousness.  since i'm working during the day, i had not been able to visit the local artists' cooperative, the arts depot, as it is closed up by evening.

this week i was taking a walk downtown after dinner and noticed people coming out of the studio doors. it just so happened they were holding the inaugural first thursdays open studios on this night.  inside the studios and hallways, the walls were lined with watercolors, photographs, ceramics and textiles.  the artists were busy at work or chatting with visitors.  i could make out the faint melody of cotton-eyed joe being played by the bluegrass band in the back room.

when i entered nancy's brightly lit studio, she was weaving alternate threads of emerald and teal into the tapestry she was creating.  nancy's tapestries are colorful and dimensional expressions of natural landscapes, waterfalls and rivers. her portfolio is stunning.  see some of her work and read about her creative process by clicking here.

nancy was working on one of three looms in her studio.  another one, which she made herself when she couldn't find an affordable loom after she graduated from college in the 70s, stands in a beam of sunlight, a testament to her creative spirit and determination to make art.

nancy told me, "i've been a weaver for forty years.  i made the decision very early on that i wasn't going to focus on making money, i was going to focus on having fun."

it was such a serendipitous pleasure to meet and talk with nancy and see a bit of her work and her process.  it turns out we have several odd things in common.  our conversation inspired me to make more art and to meet more artists.  since i get to travel for work and have evenings free, i am going to make a point to explore more studios and seek out local artists in every virginia town i visit.

nancy told me next time i'm in town to ring the bell at the back door (the one right next to the train tracks) and she would let me in if she happened to be there after the doors are shut, which she often is.

she can count on that.

sunday grace

this week grace showed up in the form of nostalgia.

while on the road, i discovered a small county fair in southwest virginia.  growing up in the farm belly of california, the fair was a huge deal in my childhood and teenage years and i will jump at any chance i get to visit a real county fair.

there is something about the juxtaposition of bright color with dirt paths and twinkling lights with barnyard smell.

the fried green tomatoes were transcendent.

i don't always ride the carousel, but when i do, it's because there is a giant rooster.

ducks!

when i was a little girl my big brother used to rock the car on the ferris wheel, scaring the bejeezus out of me.  i can't ride one to this day but i love to look at them.

love a country girl and her fancy teal shitkickers.

tastes like home.  sounds like home.  feels like home.  grace.

this summer week

i spent last week mainly on the road with my gypsy job:  spreading child protection practice to the far corners of the commonwealth of virginia.  this week was one of my favorite locations:  abingdon.  i love my job, but i was not overly excited about traveling the deathtrap that is interstate 81 during peak family vacation time AND the last week of mercury retrograde.  i said lots of prayers and brought along tiny b and ganesh for good mojo and safe travels.

all was well.

it is the summer of rain.  i have never seen so much rain.  while in abindgon, there were two dangerous thunderstorms and flooding.  sheesh.  but it sure looks pretty on the hotel window with the blue ridge mountains in the background.

the rain stopped long enough for a walk in the old downtown neighborhood, just off of main street in abingdon.  every charming house has a lovely garden.  most have friendly neighbors offering greetings from their porches.  it's one of my favorite things to do.

i returned safety to my home, my husband and wild dogs and ended the week with a trip to the farmer's market.  it is overrun with flowers and fruits and vegetables and nice people.

i picked up a loaf of freshly baked blue cheese/apple/walnut bread and we enjoyed a breakfast of it with a smear of fig jam.

luca insists i return to routine, no matter how much i travel.  first priority is always a walk at sunrise.

i hope next week is beautiful and happy and safe for you.

oh serendipity

don't you just love it when little bits of previously random love end up having everything to do with each other?

you know how i went on about harvest table a few posts back?  last month, while driving country backroads, taking a break from the interstate on work travel, i was compelled to stop at the deep raspberry and tiffany blue storefronts in little meadowview, virginia.  inside i discovered the most lovely farm-to-table restaurant complete with adjoining country store.

the food is amazing.  the vibe is comforting.

this morning i was listening to an interview with barbara kingsolver discussing her new book flight behavior.  something in the interview sounded vaguely familiar which prompted me to do a little research only to discover that she owns harvest table and that her farm from animal, vegetable, miracle (one of my all-time favorite books) is close by the restaurant.

i love love love this.

on future trips (there are many), i will be carrying my copy of a, v, m, with high hopes of a signature and some conversation.