Christmas these days is so different for me than when I grew up. Then we would all gather at my Aunts, all 30+ of us. Just a few weeks later we would gather again at my Grandma and Grandpa’s. Great memories! From 1983 to 2022 I worked in an industry where fourth quarter was my busiest time of the year, so I couldn’t get away. Christmas day was the day I sat in a chair all day and wrote Christmas cards.
So this year I’ve taken full advantage of my semi-retirement. I visited both Virginia Beach and New York City during the holidays. Then in early January finished with a quick trip to Greenville, SC, to see the Jamie Wyeth show, Unsettled.
I wasn’t aware until now that Virginia Beach has a Contemporary Art Museum. They had two shows going on “Made in Virginia Biennial” and work from a Children’s Program. Both were outstanding!
Virginia Beach had huge decorations on the boardwalk that stretched for 30 blocks. You couldn’t walk on the boardwalk to see them, you have to drive, but you can walk on the beach. Which is what we did, it was cold but nice. The past few years I’ve visited this type of display in Myrtle Beach, Longwood Gardens, this display, and the Botanical Garden in Norfolk. The Norfolk Botanical Gardens display was far superior to the others.
New York City – Just a week later I headed off to NYC with a couple of friends. I’ve never been in the city at Christmas before! Highlights of that trip were seeing The Rockettes. The show was great and the theater beautiful.
the Top of the Rock…..
Seeing Our Town with Jim Parsons from the Big Bang. The decorations…
NYC decorations:
Walking the High Line…
A Visit to MOMA
New York City Library…
The craft show at Grand Central was small but the quality top notch. We were disappointed with the craft show at Bryant Park, the quality was not that great. But while we in that neighborhood, we went to the Library. They have a great gift shop and also had a show about Greenwich Village, which was very interesting.
We stayed at a Spanish Hotel, RIU Plaza, on 42nd Street. It’s a great hotel with a European-style breakfast you would find in a lot of tourist hotels there. LOTS to choose from and the location was perfect.
Greenville, South Carolina
In January Irene and I took a quick trip to Greenville, SC.
I was in Rockland, Maine, two years ago and saw a show of Jamie Wyeth’s work. I was particularly intrigued with this large seagull painting. It was about 7 feet tall and had a screen door that opened to reveal a giant seagull. So when I saw he had a traveling show called “Unsettled,” I had to go see it.
Unsettled – I’ve always loved his work but after seeing that piece I was kind of obsessed. We stayed at Aloft, my first time staying in one. The location was perfect, parking could not have been more convenient and only $7 a day. The staff was very attentive and the hotel nice.
The show consists of what you might imagine from the name, some of it creepy and some just odd. Seeing the work up close was fascinating. He mixes watercolor, oils, enamels, and uses gesso for the big white gobs. His paint application is all over the board. This is something I’m struggling and experimenting with as I use oils more and more. It’s always interesting to see people’s techniques.
To make it all more special I watched “The Unflinching Eye” on the web. I saw other interviews on YouTube which made me like the work and him even more. The rest of the day was spent roaming around the beautiful downtown. Someone told us we needed to check out the newest hotel, the Bohemian. Not exactly my style but beautiful all the same with a wonderful setting right by the waterfall.
One night we ate at a chain that was good and of that meal the best thing was my gin and tonic. It was made with REAL and fizzy tonic, unlike most gin and tonics I get in New Bern. Hate to trash our bars and restaurants, but tonic is supposed to be fizzy and have a distinctive flavor. In Spain they bring the bottles to the table and pour the drink right in front of you.
The next night we ate dinner at Thai Basi, which is right next door to ALoft. We each had soup — it was giant! We could have just ordered one and split it. I had Tom Yum Kung (Shrimp Hot and Sour) Tom Yum broth flavored with galanga roots, lime leaves, lemon grass, button mushrooms, cilantro, and scallions. It was outstanding. Then we split Pad Thai.
Another highlight of Greenville was a West End shop filled with African American and African art called Solo! The lady has had her shop for 49 years. I really like that part of town. It is a little more funky and has more boutiques.
The problem with the rest of Main Street in my opinion is its 90% restaurants and very little retail. Let’s not let that happen to New Bern.
Retail is hard, especially with so much online shopping. I loved having my gallery all the same. I miss my customers and working with my artists. I am glad the gallery continues without me and they still sell my work.
These days most of my time is spent painting and traveling — in fact, I’m writing this from Key West.
We continued to Charlotte for lunch with a friend in her beautiful home. The table was set with all things Parisian. We had the yummiest quiche, it was creamy with a crispy crust and shrimp salad. I love going to her house and seeing all her artwork. She has a beautiful collection of work by Arless Day, among others. We were shocked at how many condos are being built in Charlotte. Not just one or two but more than a dozen. Big complexes.
Our last stop was downtown Apex, a place I would consider moving to if I left New Bern, which I’m not planning to. Their downtown is a nice mix of independent shops and restaurants. Very nice.
Whats next? The end of March I’m judging the Wilmington art association show. I will have 3 panels to show my own work. Two weeks ago they said, BTW, you will also have work at a gallery down the street. They said, How much inventory do you have? (Very little!) Please bring 10-12 paintings. Yikes! I don’t have much work laying around so I REALLY need to get busy! That is after I finish my week in my favorite place in the USA: Key West.
Thank you for sharing and bringing me out of my shell to see “the world” through your eyes.
Thank you Karen! The best trip was the one I just returned from, Key West. I’ll post that one tomorrow. Thank you for your support!
Thank you Karen. Friends say they are going to Alaska, Africa, Costa Rica, I want to see the historic buildings, gardens, museums, and people! Thank you for commenting!
I love your wonderful life!
Thank you I’m grateful that I have the time to do it all. Hope all is well.