I went to three estate sales this morning, had a lovely lunch with my girlfriends at Matisse in the Ayers Hotel, I got my car washed, and tonight I went to the fourth Friday Art Jam night at Summer Studios in Lomita.
If you live in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, I can't recommend the class schedule at Summer Studios enough--and the Art Jam night is a hoot. There is always an art show opening, lots of good food, great music and open mike for poets. This is a wonderful place to hang out. I like to pretend I'm in Greenwich Village on Art Jam night.
My friend Kathryn read poetry tonight. I work with her but she's a gifted writer, poet, actor, artist and photographer--and she is performance art in the way she dresses, too. Here she is with her girlfriend in front of the studio.
Local art professor and artist David Parsons is the owner/director of Summer Studios and it's amazing to me how much is going on there.
I've taken one collage class there, but hope to take another in the fall.
The whole outdoor front of the studio features art of all kinds including a huge new giraffe installation created by David, an installation of a leaping coyote and a paint brush wind mill, gigantic bungee cords seemingly holding up the building, and this collaborative behind Kathryn and her friend.
The studio is also available to rent for special events.
So, this particular summer day was very special and tomorrow and Sunday are lining up to be just as special.
I have many friends in ill health right now and I am constantly saying thank you, thank you, thank you for the energy I still have and the ability to get out there among 'em. Life does slow down as we age and my own schedule is certainly not the whirlwind it once was, but I have a great appreciation of my life as it is than I've ever had before.