Cerragh Leigh

Here are a few pics from my session with Cerragh Leigh, a wonderful twelve year old yellow lab owned by Frank and Jeanne Lauta:

Chief

It is with great sadness that we said goodbye to Chief yesterday. I am grateful for the time he was with us, and that he went quietly in the end; though I'm not sure knowing that it would be soon was of any solace when the time came, just relief.

The day is grey and quiet, reflecting the mood on the farm, as if it knows we mourn. Manny and Choyce, Jordan and Caleb are all accutely aware of the absence and loss of their friend. There is a void in my heart this morning as big as his empty stall. How long before I will stop anticipating his greeting each morning I arrive at the barn?

Michaela and I will be planting a butterfly garden on his grave as a memorial; whenever he got out he would inevitably meander through the one by the pond - much to my dismay - completely obliterating it, as though Belgians hold some grudge against butterflies.

I am also setting up a fund that will benefit aged draft horses through sales of "Sentinel", a portrait of Chief, and September's featured art. At this time, I am not sure which organization(s) that will be. If you know of a worthy recipient, please let me know.

"Sentinel"

Open edition Fuji Crystal Archive print, 10" x 15", $50.00. To purchase, click here. Additional sizes, papers and frame options available.

Open edition unstretched canvas print, lustre finish, 12" x 18", $175.00. To purchase, click here. Brush stroke finish, Gallery and Museum Wrap also available.

12" x 18" Gallery Mount, $185.00. To purchase, click here.

12" x 18" Poster, $5.00. To purchase, click here.

Small Magnet, 2 3/8" x 3 1/4", $3.50. To purchase, click here.

Notecards w/envelopes: single card, linen paper, $3.50. box of ten cards, linen paper, $25.00.

Safe journey, big dawg. You will be missed.

100 Day Initiative

Beginning Wednesday, September 15 I hope you will join me as I embark on this initiative: 100 Days/100 Works.

The main goals of this initiative are to allow myself the opportunity to explore diverse subject matter, develop my skill and technique in various mediums; focusing on form versus scale while developing a body of work that will provide a platform from which larger pieces may be created - as well as maintaining discipline through accountability: namely, to you, the viewer.

Each original work will be approximately 5x7" and will be posted on a daily basis. A separate blog page has been set up, as well as a portfolio at SolacePointe.com.

If you would like to receive daily or weekly updates directly, please submit you request via the guestbook, or email me at betsy@solacepointe.com.

Here's looking forward to what the next 100 Days brings!

Solace Place, A Ten Year Retrospective

To my wonderful family, all of you who visited, and especially to GoArt! for hosting it in their beautiful gallery: my deepest gratitude and thanks for your support of this exhibit. The response received was overwhelming.

A photographic book featuring all of the images from the exhibit, artist notes as well as many more images from my personal archives is scheduled to be released by the end of October.

I am pleased to say that through sales from the exhibit, donations will be made to the following non profit organizations: The Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, The Nature Conservancy, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council (GoArt!).

As many of you know, there are plans in the works for this exhibit to continue and grow. I have already been urged to put together future exhibits as our journey here continues. A retrospective every three to five years is currently being considered.

The exhibit will remain online throughout the remainder of the year, and will be the first exhibit on display in our newly renovated gallery at the Solace Pointe studio this fall.

Featured Art

"Sentinel"

Very often when I am outside working I will glance up to find Chief, our Belgian gelding, silently observing me. There is a wisdom in the depth of his gaze; a look of gentleness and knowing, perhaps earned through a life of service and labor in younger years. His days are now spent leisurely meandering about, as here, I assume the role of resident workhorse. Affectionately known as my "big dawg", it took time for us to become friends, this toady old belgian and me. But like many a crotchety old man, he has a softer side - and he has found that underneath it all I do, too. Our daily interactions have inevitably taught us much about one another, and slowly understanding has turned to acceptance, caring and most of all, the friendship we now share.

At nearly twenty-nine, Chief's aged body struggles at times, and there have been some rough days these past few weeks. Days when his old legs do not have strength to support his massive frame and we sit quietly together, taking comfort in the presence of one another. Days of watching and waiting for him to tell me he is ready to journey elsewhere, secretly hoping that he will instead just drift quietly away in his slumber, as I thought he had the first morning I came to know that he'd be leaving us before long. Peaceful. And without suffering.

I am thankful for each day he remains with us, knowing that he will tell me when it is time to say goodbye. Yet I am dreading that final call to the vet, or of finding him ... Every morning I am greeted by his gentle nicker is the sound of another precious day. I will take them as they come, and rejoice in their number ~ as I am not quite ready yet, either, dear friend.

Sales from this work currently go toward Chief's care. In the future, a portion of the continued sale of this work will be donated in his honor to support other aged draft horses. If you know of a worthy organization, please contact me.

Open edition unstretched canvas print, lustre finish. Image size: 12" x 18", $175.00. To purchase, click here.

Brush Stroke finish, Gallery and Museum Wrap also available.

Fuji Crystal Archive print, size 10" x 15", $50.00. To purchase, click here.

Gallery Mount, size 12" x 18", $185.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes and papers on request.

Image also available as a 12 x 18 poster, small magnet, and single or boxed notecard.