Post Weekend Art Sale!

Spring in the garden... the rain of late has been tough on the azaleas ... but otherwise the garden was in its element in time for the Weekend Art Sale.

It turned out to be a roaring success ... today when I downloaded photos we recalled moments, people, conversations with great pleasure. Sadly there are many I would have loved to have snapped... but you know how it is...one forgets ! 

I guess that's a sign of being too busily engaged in greeting people, telling stories about various art works... and organising the purchases. Yes... I was smiling at the end of each day... Great conversations and, and, in light of the event's purpose, I am pleased to say that the trip is looking rosy indeed! 

All those who made their way along on the weekend have contributed to this heart-warming success. It must be highlighted ... the good will was a hugely touching experience.... it was very much a community event with family and friends, neighbours, acquaintances and new people coming along to make for SUCH a memorable time! 

Vanda and Ailey with Little Orlando in the temporary cafe kitchen!

The temporary kitchen set up worked fabulously ... and the tea cups + plates were divine! The plan had been to sell them Sunday at the end of the afternoon tea time. There were keen offers but somehow we were all so preoccupied that it never quite happened. More on the cups soon I hope! 

A big thank you to Vanda, Ailey and Maxi who were offering this hospitality on Saturday...and on Sunday to my wonderful brother Russell for a brilliant job coffee making with help from the wonderful Marguerite who also was a support to Joannah and Phoebe on the Sunday stall.

My sister Jana was on the stall on Saturday... and I can say now ... without my mother and friend Lyn making sandwiches up in the kitchen ...and family and friends being on the ball and so willing...  the days would not have run anywhere near as smoothly. Nor would I have had the peace of mind to focus with people as I did... discussing the project and painting.

At the close of Saturday a few of us took comfy chairs and cups of tea into the garage/studio and settled in for a long chat before packing up for the night. Dinner was left over chicken and cucumber sandwiches Saturday night for a few very tired but happy souls!

Sunday morning we were revived and Olivia, one's industrious mother, started the day quietly minding shop whilst I darted around rearranging things in preparation for the second day of visitors. The cobbled brick driveway looked decidedly cosy as if transformed into a living space under the Marquee.

I quickly took quite  a few snaps early Sunday ...before I got sidetracked by people coming along! The sun both mornings played hide and seek and gusted up some threatening clouds. So wee were ever so pleased to find the day panned out to be mostly meek and mild. And by afternoon tea... quite tranqil!

By Sunday evening some of my favourite paintings had disappeared to new homes ...  like this large one above "From the nothing the abundance".

Oh... and I must point out the freshly white-washed walls thanks to Jayne and Brenda! 

Included, for a change, were a number of paintings I've never wanted to part with before... some not even shown before. Plus there were quite a number of recent works I'd managed to do in time. Conversations as we worked our way through the various pieces and phases discussing the ideas etc were fascinating...

learning from how others 'see'!

Below is a really old one from around 2003.... when this pod form first sneaked into my work....

I quite liked juxtaposing the old...

and the new....

sisters playing!

Joannah and Marguerite at the front of  house



Well... its late and the thought of sleep beckons!  

I am going to be quite busy sending thankyou's for a couple of days to all the wonderful people who contributed in so many ways - some from far way !The people from Brewbakers, whom I wrote about at my homage blog the other day, were sensational!

First and foremost...  blessings to Olivia and Russell!

      And  of course warmest thanks to all who took part in this weekend or sent their support!

Sophie xo