Always Magical!

As artists we spend our time trying to see how we fit. How our work is received. How we can improve and share and create so that we can belong. We speak of tribes and coops and collaboratives. We hold on tight to friends and family and exult in new introductions. We are social creatures that crave connections and conversations. And yet we paint and create while alone. It is an interesting dynamic. One not easily understood because what we are forever doing is reaching out.

This week with arms outstretched I did indeed reach out and was met with enthusiastic *hugs*. I met a new group of amazing people at ARTE Gallery in New Haven. An art space that embraces family and community. An art space with a mission to excel through the language of art (visual, musical and culinary). How amazing! Then I spent 2 Magical Days with the "Elitists" (don't let the pet-name fool you). This group of awesome artists arrive with huge smiles and help transform our humble studio on the Pawcatuck River into a space FULL of magic and marvelous creations. We feed off of each other. We are each other's biggest fans. Encouraging, pushing, challenging. We are always looking forward and dreaming. And our arms are always OPEN.

Thank you to all who attended these events and who accepted the smiles and hugs. I look forward to many more opportunities to reach out. And I will continue to share even when I am alone, creating, painting and writing in my studio along the Pawcatuck River.

(Perspectives/Perspectivas, ARTE Gallery, New Haven 2011)

("Cawl Me" by Jaclyn Altieri Murphy @ Spring Fling Fever! 2011)

(Serena Bates & Sarah Martin @ Spring Fling Fever! 2011)

(The Lovely Mary T. Sullivan)

(Serena Bates, Carol Watson, Laura Gaffke & Jaclyn Altieri Murphy)