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How are things in your neck of the woods? Is winter behaving or causing you grief? 

After spending 36 years in Lake Tahoe, knowing I’m not a cold weather person, has me very grateful for our tropical winters. I’m looking down at my bare feet as I’m typing this letter and feel so lucky I don’t have snow boots on. Yes, I admit it, I’m a complete wus when it comes to cold weather. The mere mention of snow sends shivers down my spine. About the only pleasant memories of living in Tahoe during the winter is standing next to the potbelly stove in my parents Gallery in Kings Beach. The winter months were slow, the classroom was usually empty of students, giving me and my mom time to work on our own creations. 

Having an art supply store and Frame shop as part of their gallery business was very convenient. When ever I needed a paint brush or tube of paint or even a canvas all I had to do was walk into the next room, and the same was true when it came to needing a frame. One of the perks for working there was I only had to pay wholesale prices for any of the art supplies I needed. So when ever I wanted to experiment with a new color or medium the cost was not bad. I didn’t realize just how spoiled I was until I moved here. 

Getting art supplies has become a challenge in many ways. First, the only art supply store on this side of the island closed about three years ago. Now I have to travel to the other side of the island to Ben Franklin’s at Queen Kaahumanu Center, Maui’s main big shopping mall. We usually go to that side of the island on shopping days ( twice a month.) I also order a lot of supplies from Amazon. Thankfully we have Amazon prime so shipping costs aren’t an issue. But getting supplies here on time for a class can cause me a bit of stress. Gone are the days of walking into the next room for a tube of paint. Now I have to preplan or anticipate when I need supplies. 

The second thing I’ve had to do is stock up on supplies and keep an inventory of canvases, brushes and paints, for both my own paintings and for my classes. My studio is packed full, as you can see from the photos. When my daughter was here this past January ( her first time on maui), I asked her if my studio reminded her of her grandma’s gallery. She said “Yes, except grandma sold her art supplies”.  

Last week I saw a meme on Facebook that said “It’s not hoarding if it’s art supplies”.  I agree completely and admit I’m an art supply hoarder. But for very good reasons, all mentioned above. 

No matter how packed my studio is it brings me great comfort. I spend most of my time in my studio, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, and sometimes a few hours on Saturday, every week, every month. My space is full of inspiring energy. In fact most people who enter it feel amazed and energized by all the colors, supplies, and art they see. 

Well, that’s it for now. I need to get ready for a very energetic 8 year old student, who would love to come every day if she could. 

Malama pono, a hui hou (take care until we meet again.)

Darice