Ready for Maufe

Tonight is the opening reception for my first solo exhibit at Maufe Gallery, located in downtown Christiansted. The reception is part of a monthly event called Art Thursday, where you can walk through historic downtown visiting the art galleries and meeting the artists.

The Gallery is ready. Bob and I spent Tuesday afternoon hanging 14 quilts, ranging in size from 9"X12" to 72"X62". When everything was hung, I stood back and looked at the walls full of my work, and I had two thoughts. One: it's been one busy season! Two: here it is, one dream come true. This last thought made me smile. I've been working towards this moment for a very, very long time. Not just the time it took to make the quilts, but the years it took for me to sort myself out until I could call myself an artist.

And here's how I'm spending my time between now and the reception this afternoon: I'm cooking and blogging. Today is simply the perfect day to enjoy the three things that I love best: writing, quilting and cooking. Therese, the gallery owner, is providing wine and cheese and fruit for the reception. But I always cook for my own parties, so it was unthinkable for me not to cook for my own reception. So I'm bringing the sweets: brownies, lemon squares and cranberry-pineapple squares.

The bougainvillea are in full bloom and I plan to make a little bouquet for the table. And I'm bringing the music I quilt to: The sweet saxophone of Paul Desmond, the sultry sounds of Bossa Nova and some French lounge music. And lastly, I'll bring a bottle of Champaign to toast to a dream come true.