Image: view of part of the grid structure on our covered patio.

Open studio...those wonderful events we all like to go to, but maybe haven't had the urg to host one ourselves.

Well, this year, I jumped in and became part of Silicon Valley Open Studios. It's this organization's 29th year and my first. As an open studio newbie, I had a lot to learn, but SVOS tries to help us along with short seminars on everything from how to set up your space, tips and tricks, to pricing your work. All much needed information for this neophyte.

With over 60 works to display, I was in a panic about where I could possibly hang them all. A SVOS seminar pointed me toward a source for wire grids and with further ingenuity, I managed to find a spot for everything. Who knew that an wrought iron patio chair could become a great place to park a painting! I did have to hang paintings back to back on the grid just to maximize  space. Fortunately, there were quite a few similarly sized and similarly framed that made it doable. 

Images above: Fortunately, our yard had a nice picnic table with umbrella to shield the paintings from the effects to the local birds. Our covered back patio provided one wall and an old sideboard perfect for small works and notecards.

I'm happy to report that I handily survived the first weekend, getting to meet and talk with other art lovers, artists, and more than a few neighbors that were simply curious about what an open studio was.  I had somewhere between 60 and 100 visitors. Why the wide range? I was too busy to keep an actual count! I did sell several paintings and a few packs note cards. I discovered that most people were most interested in my plein air paintings of local scenes. That wasn't what I expected, but it does make sense. We all tend to like what we know.

I have one more weekend to go. I'm actually looking forward to it. Not just for the opportunity for someone to love my art enough to want to take it home, but because I really like talking to people about painting and art in general. Heck, it sure beats doing laundry and going to Costco!  

Stop by:  May 9-10; 2510 Greer Road Palo Alto CA94303; 11-5pm each day

Cheers!

LaRhee Webster

Image: partial view of the grid and some of the paintings hung on it.