Dear Friends,

This week I welcomed my niece Beth Martin Chiu to Blacksburg. I can’t remember quite when we saw each other last. Of course it prompted a family dinner.

What a special dinner. I cannot state how full my heart was. Along with having Beth visit, my grandson Sean, seated on my right, is making a remarkable recovery. Pictured L to R: Kerry and Mary Donnelly, granddaughter Sofi, Sean, me, Beth and Becky. Beth’s husband Al took the picture.

I am looking forward to Saturday because it is the day I will be at King James Galleries in Winchester, VA. Our show begins at 10 am and concludes at 3 pm. The gallery already has my new print “Winter in the Valley” framed and ready for your home. Look closely at two of the framing options available shown below. Each one evokes a different feeling through the use of a single mat that accents different colors of the composition.

Winter in the Valley framed by King James Galleries Winchester.

The four prints in my collection of the apple tree celebrate the four seasons of the year. Pictured upper left, going clockwise: Winter in the Valley (2023); Summer Day in the Valley (2023); Blossoms of the Valley (2022); Apples of the Valley (2022). The image size for each print is approximately 7-3/4” x 9.” $70 each for regular edition.

Thank you Canada Goose Gallery and friends for an exceptional weekend. The night before the show, my daughter Becky and I enjoyed dinner with gallery owner Laura Deramus, and our friend Kathy Heim and her sister Gloria at the Golden Lamb in nearby Lebanon. Founded in 1803, this Ohio landmark which began as a stagecoach stop, has a 220 year history of being a gathering place for community and guests. Some of the more notable guests have included 12 US presidents and literary greats Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Alex Haley and Samuel Clemens. In a literary sense, the dinner foretold of a wonderful weekend to come.

Canada Goose Gallery was filled with friends and collectors for the duration of the show. One collector was delighted to find a long sold out print titled Black Sheep. The gallery is home for many rare prints and is a valuable resource for collectors.

I participated in the PALS for Life basket raffle for breast cancer support. I had my eye on a particular basket because of the lovely pink ribbon throw it held. Having been chosen to draw the winning tickets, I was hoping I might draw my name for it. It was a very popular basket. The winner was Missi Pendell who was ecstatic to receive it because of the framed Moss print included. When she found out that I wanted the throw she gave it to me. Thank you Missi, I am so grateful.     

PALS for Life drawing (L), Winner Missi Pendell (Center), and me leaving with my treasure. The throw was donated by Peggy Monin.

A fond farewell to the gallery staff and a promise to see you again soon. Joining me in this photo from L to R: Laura Deramus, Kathy Heim, Karen Morris and Kathy’s sister Gloria.

I invite you to look into the sky Saturday night for a Halloween delight. The October full moon, known as the Hunter’s moon, will be on display. Leaf colors are at their peak in my neighborhood and seeing them dance in the moonlight will be magical.

Can you picture my trees bathed in the light of the Hunter’s moon?

Until next week,