Exquisite Pleasure

She Starts at Yes

Uncommon, acute, intense. I’ve not picked up a brush in many months. My life is full. But this afternoon, at the invitation of Peter Loibner, whom I have known his whole life and whom I love, I will hang some art for a month in his restaurant, Blackberry Market at 315 Main Street, North Little Rock. The Friday night ARGENTA ART WALK will be the ‘opening’ tomorrow, 5-8 p.m.

I have spent weeks preparing—of course going through the normal ‘imposter syndrome’ dance, then the selection of what to show which was graciously taken off my shoulders by my daughter-in-law, Lori Bell Wenger, who offered to be my curator. WOW. (Sadly, she’s sick with COVID today.)  At her encouragement, I asked her dear Dad, Gary Bell, if he’d be willing to use is woodworking skills to make me some frames for the small paintings. He kindly listened and   then said, “I’m not The Guy. But I know The Guy.” Enter David Wood. A man with skill, tools and time. Another gift. So today my daughter, Mary Tellez, will help me haul, place and hang. Again, my gratitude overflows. 

But here’s the best part: I have LOVED looking at, handling, finishing, framing, wiring…and I am aware of an exquisite pleasure in this process. The titles of each piece reflect my frame of mind/heart at the time of their creation and though I’ve known it always, the circle completes with sharing them with people.  In the words of Scottish poet Don Paterson, this creativity ‘…is more of a diagnosis than a calling.’ I can’t help myself.