the studio gang on the ferry: Paul E McKee, me, Pam Gray, Anna McKee, and Claire Holguin

Fifty.  It’s a big number, all right.

I feel completely blessed by the many, many wonderful things in my life: health, family, friends, art, travel, delicious food, beauty, laughter, comfort.

On my birthday this week my studio-mates, past and present, took a trip to Bainbridge Island to go to the new Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and have lunch. It was a perfect way to celebrate. It was a gorgeous day for a ferry ride. We walked on and sat outside going both directions, absorbing the sun and taking in the natural beauty of our landscape. All the travel I’ve been doing this year has really helped me recognize the special place that I live–and this stretch of fine weather we’ve been having helps, too.

The trip to the museum was partially motivated because I had heard that a piece of mine was included in the opening exhibition. I was thrilled to see that not one, but two pieces are on display and that they are promised as part of the permanent collection! I also got to meet Greg Robinson, the Executive Director and Cynthia Sears, the Founder of the museum. Cynthia is the collector who purchased my pieces and has lent them (for now) to the museum.

my pieces in the gallery alongside work by Cecil Ross, Philip McCracken, and Christopher Hoff

It’s a beautiful, well-designed building just a short walk from the ferry. There is no sense of the stuffiness and formality that is often felt in an art museum. Instead it feels personal, like being welcomed into the living room of someone who has a really terrific collection and wants to share with you. Lighting is a big part of that sense of ease. The big windows, which have UV protection, suffuse the entire entire building with natural light and the art glows in it. Although they are diverse in terms of media, the exhibitions feel cohesive, the  voices of the Northwest artists singing together harmonically. The curators have done a nice job of creating vignettes where the pieces can tell a short story to viewers before they move on to the next conversation.

I highly recommend making a visit to the museum. The ferry, the museum, and a delicious lunch at Cafe Nola with terrific friends made for a wonderful entry to this next decade. I can’t say I’m excited to be the Big-Five-O, but as they say, it sure beats the alternative!

me with Heartwood and Parchment from the Madrone Series