Side Street Gallery Demo
Okay, seriously what fun!!!! And I’m not the only one who thought so. Katie Plucker kept saying over and over, “We need to do this again next year . . . maybe even twice.”
The crowd was good. It never really got overwhelming, just a nice steady stream of visitors. I of course didn’t think to pull out the camera until it was all over, so all my photos were after the fact. And to top it off, I got no exclusive photo of Mari (the woman who’s gallery we were in to celebrate her 30th year in business) There were people everywhere taking pictures so hopefully a few will be sent my way.
The above photo is the group shot. Starting at the left: Me, Mari Stewart, Katie Plucker (a little below) and Judy Hemphill (behind the banjo playing frog) in front of Mari’s gallery in old town Okoboji.
Mari Stewart and The Side Street Gallery It is a rare thing for a gallery to be around for thirty years and even more so with one owner. It is a testament to Mari as an artist and gallery owner. Mari is now primarily a painter, though she is also a potter and if I am remembering correctly her initial art love was jewelry. Mari’s website offers more information on her celebrating 30 years in business as well as her artwork and the artists she represents.
Judy Hemphill (photo left) is a photographer from Spencer Iowa. She is shown here standing in front of a collection of her boat and lake photos. For those of you unfamiliar with the area Okoboji is a major lake that is a huge tourist destination.
Judy does quite a bit of commercial photography for magazines and such, but also does allot of freelance artsy stuff. She is a dear friend. (Actually all three of these women are.) You can see more of her work by visiting Judy’s website.
Anita Baedke-Plucker
I have always known Anita as Katie. I am pretty sure all those many years ago when we met (she as the director of a local gallery and me sussing out the local art scene after just moving to Iowa) that was who she introduced herself as. So despite all the information to the contrary I still call her Katie. Again if my faulty memory serves me correctly I believe Katie was her nickname, coined when a child because she looked so much like her aunt Kate. At any rate, Katie is a watercolorist (extraodinaire) whose work currently focuses on the lakes area. You can learn more about her by visiting Katie’s website.
Yes I was the odd man out . . . err make that woman. . . out, with my horses and wild things. But in a good way I think.
So tomorrow I will show a photo of me doing my “thing” as well as what I was actually demonstrating.
Can’t wait to see what you painted — and I was right, you had a great time with your friends. You all look so vibrant together, I could see the closeness and creative joy! So glad this came out great for you!
Bet your demo painting is awesome too, or did you do more than one?
Yes you were correct Robert, though I never doubted a great time was to be had. And I did . And it was.
I only did the one piece. I had thought to bring two to work on. But as you remember getting anything at all drawn out was a miracle. I am just getting so complacent in my old age. Perhaps I spend so much time talking with so many people I just am totally relaxed about it all.