Dear Friends,

August has arrived, and with it all the colors and scents of a summer in full swing. Seeing the flowers and watching the birds, I remembered a poem that I heard some time ago that was written by Mary Oliver. Her poetry wonderfully captures the beauty and mystique of nature in such a relatable way. The title of this poem is The Ponds.

August of another summer, and once again
I am drinking the sun
and the lilies again are spread across the water.
I know now what they want is to touch each other.
I have not been here for many years
during which time I kept living my life.
Like the heron, who can only croak, who wishes he
could sing,
I wish I could sing.
A little thanks from every throat would be appropriate.
This is how it has been, and this is how it is:
All my life I have been able to feel happiness,
except whatever was not happiness,
which I also remember.
Each of us wears a shadow.
But just now it is summer again
and I am watching the lilies bow to each other,
then slide on the wind and the tug of desire,
close, close to one another,
Soon now, I'll turn and start for home.
And who knows, maybe I'll be singing.”
― Mary Oliver

Along with the arrival of August it is show time and I am anxious to see you again. You fill my heart which in turn fuels my inspiration to paint. This weekend, August 4th through the 6th, the P Buckley Moss Gallery of Blacksburg and I will be welcoming friends and visitors to the gallery and to our booth at the Steppin’ Out Festival. You can learn more about this weekend’s downtown activities by following this link. https://blacksburgsteppinout.com/  Performance schedules, event vendor maps and the all-important where to park information can be found there. My hours for Friday and Saturday will be 11 am until 4 pm, and Sunday from noon until 3 pm.

I am pleased to share with you my new print Festive Frolic just framed by Corrado at the Moss Gallery of Waynesboro. I like how the colors chosen highlight the colors in the painting, and the choice of frame draws your eyes inward. Originally designated for release in two sizes, we have now added a large size. Here are the dimensions, and the prices shown are for giclées on paper in the regular edition. Small IS: 12 x 8-7/16 ins. $90; Medium: IS 18-1/18 x 12-3/4 ins. $200; Large IS 34 -1/8 x 24 ins. $800. This print becomes even more dynamic when printed on canvas. For inquiries about a canvas print, please contact Patty Moss at the Portfolio. The number is 804-725-7378.

When you visit my downtown booth at the festival, be sure to check out the extraordinary quilt created for the Moss Foundation by Martha Williams. It is looking a bit like a horse themed weekend, isn’t it? Raffle tickets will be available for $3 each, or 2 for $5. Proceeds from this raffle are designated to support the Teacher Grant and P Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship funds.

Until next week,