I'm delighted to be able to share with you this year's STUDIO OPEN HOUSE held here on Saturday December 3, 2011. The preparations actually began a year ago as I painted all year with this event and others in mind. 
The flurry of activity got underway in earnest about a month ago when I began preparing over 230 paintings for display. The first step was spraying with a light coat of workable varnish to protect them a bit and even out the surface. Our deck is a prefect place to safely do this job in batches.
Once the varnish was dry I brought the paintings in to sort.
Then began the process of backing them for frame-less hanging...again, a small batch at a time.
In order to have a cohesive show that made sense, I planned to sort and display paintings by loose categories such as florals, pears, birds, portraits, feet (ha!), etc.
This sight was a gratifying one and a bit overwhelming, too!
But I had my trusty assistant (our son, Lucas) and his tools and gadgets to help me, so all was well (and FUN!)
We hung...
and hung...
and hung until all 230 paintings were up on every wall of our home.
The house was clean, the artwork hung, the refreshments set out, the candles lit, the music playing...and the guests arrived (my favorite part!)
It was a happy and festive crowd.
The Ferg Girls included. (Our daughters Sadie and Molly) 
We pondered art...
we pondered life (and light.)
Guests were able to see where I stand (and dance) to create each painting...
with two brand new pieces still wet on the easel.
Each year I give away a painting. It's always a time of anticipation and a wonderful chance for me to give just a little something back to the people who support, encourage and follow my art all year long.
And the winner is...
Glenice Williams! The same lady who won last year's painting give-away! What are the chances?
As the afternoon wound down...
the refreshments and the crowd dwindled...
but the celebration of a wonderful day (and life) of art and friends was only beginning. To be continued...
With BIG love and gratitude to all who shared this day with us...it means more than you know.
Thanks to Heather Alvarez and Sadie Ferguson for all the fun photos.
6 comments:
So much fun and beauty at your open house! Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the story and the photos, they are very inspiring.
A finer day could not have been had, Bren! It's always an honor to celebrate both you and your art among your family and friends. Lovely to be able to revisit the day through these photos. You've captured it all Perfectly! Congratulations on a most festive and successful event, my friend!
That is so awesome! Thanks for sharing it for those of us too far away to join in. ;-) I have a question for you -- what did you glue to the backs for the frameless hanging?
W-O-W
Kind of like a dream. I would have loved to see them all up like that. What an accomplishment. Is it like having an extra 230 children? Wouldn't it be sooooo cool if you could make all of your paintings into tiles and tile up an entire wall? THAT would be awesome. I have been away from the web and am so happy to come back on a day when you have posted just such a jaw dropping post.
A real dream come true. Your entire family must be thrilled for you. I know I am. Carolina
Wow, Brenda! An amazing journey through your preparations and THE event! Incredible planning for a magical evening! I'm overwhelmed with the amount of beautiful artwork you provided for your guests. Nice, too, your family was so involved. Kudos!!
Joyeux et superbe!!! Bravo Brenda!
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