This is fun...

I'm in Hanoi, Vietnam right now and heading to Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island for the next three days. I have been doing and seeing many wonderful things and being on the computer has been far from my mind. BUT I just had two cups of a coffee, the internet is free, and I have an hour and a half until my cheesy water puppet show starts so here are some highlights so far:

- Getting my Myanmar visa without a hassle.
- My first tuk-tuk ride in Bangkok.
- Getting lost on my bicycle in Ayutthaya, Thailand and not seeing another westerner for hours.
- Getting lost on foot in Ayutthaya, Thailand and getting a motorcycle ride to the ferry from the local I asked 
   for directions.
- Meeting and then travelling through Thailand and Laos with three really great Aussies (we have since 
  parted ways. Sad.)
- Jungle trekking for three days which included riding an elephant, drinking whiskey moonshine from a
  bag under a waterfall and eating rat for breakfast.
- The five massages I've had so far...
- Taking a two day slow boat down the Mekong River in Laos.
- Watching the sunset in Luang Prabang, Laos.
- THE MARKETS.
- THE FOOD MARKETS.
- Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam and doing a homestay in the Tavan valley with a Black Hmong family.

I'm very happy. The thing I miss the most are my jeans...and you of course.

Love,
Bea

Made it!

Hi Friends,

I am writing to you from an internet cafe in a huge seven story mall in Bangkok. I'm surrounded by little Thai kids playing computer games. I am very tall. I spent the last 32 hours either sitting on a plane or in a terminal so I was very happy to land at 12:45pm today. I don't know how often I will be blogging, and when I do there probably won't be pictures, but I figure this is an okay way to let people know what I am up to.

Highlights So Far:

Met two girls from WPI (where my brother and my best friend went to college) in the airport in Bahrain.

Saw a woman in a full burqa talking on a smart phone and using a public computer to check her Facebook page. Also, a mom and daughter in full burqa and their husband/dad in jeans and flannel. An interesting meet up of traditional and modern practices.

Figured out how to take the train system to my hotel from the airport with only mild awkwardness.

Saw some amazing, amazing architecture and neighborhoods from the train.  It's really interesting how the water is integrated into the layout of neighborhoods here. Lots of ponds and rivers and streams with houses all around.

Tonight I will search out a restaurant my brother suggested and tomorrow I apply for my Myanmar visa, buy train tickets to Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai, and explore Chinatown. I've got three days here in Bangkok before heading North to Chiang Mai, Pai and Mae Hong Son and plan to do a nighttime river cruise to see the temples lit up, and visit the Imperial Palace before leaving.

When I was on my road trip a few years ago I met up with my mother's cousin in Boulder. I had never met her before, but we had lunch and got along great. Turns out that we'll both be in Chiang Mai, Thailand at the same time a few days from now, so we'll be meeting up for dinner. Small world.

Okay, time is running up on my internet access and I need some ice cream and more weather appropriate clothing.

I love you guys,
Bea

Remember...

...when I did this? Next up is this:

I'll be backpacking all over Southeast Asia for the next two months hitting up Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. I can't guarantee any consistent posting on here, but I am sure I'll pop in once in a while to give an update and share some photos.

I am really excited about where my paintings are going right now, so it's tough to leave them alone for two months - but I know this trip will refill my inspiration tank and I'm looking forward to the impact it will have on my paintings. I'll be doing small ink drawings while away as it's compact and easy to carry.

So that's that. You're cool. Thanks for reading. Let me know if you have any suggestions on places to visit.

New Painting

A Solid Spire, 20" x 16". Oil on Canvas.

I really want to go to China. I'm leaving my studio in 9 days. I'm not going to China, but I am going somewhere really cool. I think the deadline is making me take risks and do things I may not normally do. See above.

Love,

Bea

Practicing Making Progress

Here is what I have been spending my days working on as of late. 

I have a deadline of December 21st to finish these pieces. I'll tell you why soon.

Work in New Media: Fresh Paint

I currently have two paintings included in New Media| Fresh Paint, an exhibition featuring the work of members of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum Corporate Art Loan Program on display at the New Art Center in Newton, MA. Jurors Leonie Bradbury of the Galleries at Montserrat College of Art, Joe Wardell of deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, and Maria Lockheardt of Wellesely College selected the following two paintings for inclusion in this exhibition. 

 A Bird in the Hand, oil on canvas, 24" x 30"

Flat Rock, Red Rock, oil on canvas, 24" x 30"

The opening reception was fantastic and I was flattered to be included in such a beautiful exhibition. You can click here for images from the event, including a number with my paintings in the background. 

See you soon,

Bea

Visit My Studio!

My studio will be open to the public as part of the larger Holiday Open Studios at Porter Mill event this Saturday, December 1st. I have two of my bigger, new paintings in an exhibit at the New Art Center but you will be able to see my smaller works in progress and what I have been working on lately (though not posting on this here blog.) I hope to see you this Saturday! See below for a schedule of the day. 

10:00am - 4:00pm: Explore the studios of fifty ceramists, painters, photographers, jewelers, musicians, printmakers and more! Meet the artists, ask questions, and purchase original works of art from the people who make them, where they make them. Pick up something for everyone on your holiday shopping list! 

4:00pm - 7:00pm: Join us in the gallery for a festive evening celebration and the opening reception of the 2nd Annual Small Works Exhibition featuring artists from around the region. Enjoy art, music and seasonal refreshments while mingling with the artists. 

Both events are free and open to the public. 

Find this event on Facebook.