Studio Visit
I've been enjoying a two and a half week long vacation back in NY. After being delayed overnight in Atlanta, I caught a stomach bug just in time for Christmas and found out that my absolute FAVORITE LYS, Saratoga Needle Arts is closing it's physical storefront at the end of this month. However, I've had time to catch up with some friends, revisit some locations for reference photos [a few more I'd like to check out before leaving], catch up on sleep, stuff myself silly and visit the studios of Barney Bellinger--one of the area's most well-known and respected painters and furniture makers.
Last winter, prior to deciding to attend LSU I had conversations with several people. One of the women at the local gym being among them. I knew she'd had a college age daughter and had been an easy person to converse with when I joined the gym. She'd mentioned that it was a good idea, to have faith and that her husband made his living as an artist. After months of working out with her, I realized who her husband was. What a small world! Around the same time, I was hanging out with a friend from high school who mentioned Barney's name as a family friend and had me check out some of his work. He also said that should the opportunity arise, I should have a chat with Barney.
I attended this friend's annual Christmas party upon returning home and in walk Sue and Barney! Three days later I had a great conversation and chance to tour his studios with my friend. He gave me a couple chunks of beautiful glass, recommended places and names, showed me his various in progress works and his workshops for woodworking, painting and sculpture. The pictures I'm going to post of the glass chunks don't do any justice to them.
Last winter, prior to deciding to attend LSU I had conversations with several people. One of the women at the local gym being among them. I knew she'd had a college age daughter and had been an easy person to converse with when I joined the gym. She'd mentioned that it was a good idea, to have faith and that her husband made his living as an artist. After months of working out with her, I realized who her husband was. What a small world! Around the same time, I was hanging out with a friend from high school who mentioned Barney's name as a family friend and had me check out some of his work. He also said that should the opportunity arise, I should have a chat with Barney.
I attended this friend's annual Christmas party upon returning home and in walk Sue and Barney! Three days later I had a great conversation and chance to tour his studios with my friend. He gave me a couple chunks of beautiful glass, recommended places and names, showed me his various in progress works and his workshops for woodworking, painting and sculpture. The pictures I'm going to post of the glass chunks don't do any justice to them.