Happiness and trepidation

Earlier this month I had the honor of receiving Best in Show at a Putnam Arts Council exhibit for my painting Cabinet of Basketry. It was my first "best in show" but the honor was tempered by concern for the subject of the painting.

Cabinet of Basketry ©2017 Dorothy Lorenze

This painting shows the interior of a colonial house that was moved to California wine country and lovingly restored and rebuilt on a mountainside vineyard... which last month was surrounded by raging fires. The house belongs to a friend of a friend and when we visited, I fell in love with the place. Each room is a gem, with intimate nooks and crannies full of authentic antiques and furnishings. I was thrilled to be able to take photos for future paintings.

Then, for a very long week, voracious California fires approached the area. Looking at maps and reports it was impossible to tell if the house had been spared, but I'm happy to say that all is well. The home owner and her critters were safely evacuated and the house survived!

The fires were devastating and heartbreaking for so many, so it's wonderful to be able to report this happy outcome.

In other good news, two of my paintings, Gentleman Caller and If Wishes Were Horses sold after a collector in Colorado saw my work in Southwest Art magazine, which led him to check out my website! Many thanks to this new curious collector, to Southwest Art and to American Women Artists because receiving an award in their online exhibit is how my work was brought to the attention of Southwest Art.

Everything's connected on the internet!

Gentleman Caller ©2017 Dorothy Lorenze

If Wishes Were Horses ©2017 Lorenze

And lastly, I participated in an exhibition at the Carriage Barn Art Center in Darien, CT which was a benefit for the Alzheimers Association of CT. I'm happy to say both of my paintings sold, supporting a cause that is especially important to me since my mother had been diagnosed with Alzheimers. 

Daffodil Launch ©2017 Lorenze

Ranunculus in Crystal ©2017 Lorenze

Thanks to all for your encouragement and kind comments. I hope to have more new work to show soon. Plus, there are a few art adventures coming up, so more on those later.
Meanwhile...

Happy Halloween!

Hope your day is full of treats!