The Big Catch Up

It has been so long since my last post that even I am surprised. A lot has been going on here at Tower ArtWorks and Country Art Supplies as we continue to grow little by little. The Michael Gerry Oil Painting Workshops have been a huge success with every class filled to capacity. We finally added one more seat so we could accommodate the students. Space has always been a problem since we are using our studio for the workshops and although the studio is perfect for Bob and I when we paint, it can be a bit cramped when we do the workshops. (Our participants call it "friendly"). Bob and I plan on making some furniture changes this week or next so that should open up the area somewhat. The next Michael Gerry Oil Landscape Workshop is scheduled for July 14th. Our Country Art Supply Store that is located in our breezeway just off the studio is very small but jam packed with needed supplies for the workshop participants and for the local artists that take advantage of our location. We continually add to our product line as more and more artists have started to let us know what they need and would like to have available. We have recently added a children's workshop to our list and have had a lot of fun preparing that. I did a children's workshop two weeks ago for the first time and was amazed at how much it took out of me---children are very energetic! It was good practice for the ones coming up as I learned a lot of what not to do's! Soon we will be adding a drawing workshop to the list for adults as well. I'm really looking forward to that one.

Bob and I have been doing quite a bit of painting lately. He just finished two pieces that we added to our website: http://www.towerartworks.com/. One is a rock painting that he did using a painting knife and the other is a bright sunflower with a really interesting background. I have posted his sunflower called "Solar Power" here. I have been working on my Amish Series and have three nearly ready to post there also.

Bob's health has been improving slowly but surely since we found out several months ago that he has Celiac Sprue Disease. Changing our diet to a completely gluten free one has been quite a challenge for both of us. Everything that goes into his mouth has to be checked out first to see if it contains any gluten. It means a lot of reading labels, visiting multiple grocery and health food stores and calling many manufacturers. As time goes on we are definitely getting better at figuring it out!