Zena's Visit

Roses (in progress) by Therosha King 9 x 12 oil on canvas

Friday was a delightful day with forever-since-high-school-friend, Zena (Therosha) King visiting from Raleigh! Her work in progress "Roses" is from a Cindy Procious virtual workshop. There is a link below to Cindy's website. After giving Zena a quick tour of my studio and new paintings (captive audience), we were off to visit more galleries. First stop, Blackberry Winter here in Maggie Valley where Zena purchased a delft pepper mill (nutmeg grinder) before heading to Leapin' Frog Gallery in the historic Frog Level section of downtown Waynesville. Gallery owner and dear friend, Melissa Burrell, showed us her new pieces - wonderful, colorful creations in fabric incorporating yarn, beads, buttons, twigs, and any other treasure she deems fitting. Larger pieces are shadow box framed and so tempting! We were disappointed co-owner Vickie Beck wasn't there but many of her original handwoven baskets were...more temptation! We couldn't resist purchasing small pieces by Melissa and local artist Silvia Williams! Refreshed by lunch next door at Panacea, Buddha's Belly salads and iced mango tea, we departed Frog Level for Main Street and a visit with Jo Ridge Kelley in her gallery, Ridge Runner Naturals. There is a link to Jo's website below also. Her paintings are breathtaking and most of us own an original or at least a print! She paints our Western North Carolina world in all it's glory as only she can! Had to end the day with our traditional book store stop-and-shop! Full day of eye candy, inspiration and never ending chat...mostly "art-speak"...Fun, fun, Zena! Wish you could have stayed longer...hurry back!