Sunday Afternoon In Woodstock

Woodstock yes, Woodstock N.Y. on Sunday Afternoons they have a drum circle. In fact all the surrounding small towns appear to have drum groups, here they all come together on Sunday.
This attracts not only the regulars but the visitors from the city, off the Trailway Bus, who've come to spend the day. I think they timed the departures just right, for maximum effect. So, hop on the bus Gus.

Both in 2008 and 2009 we were up in our Woodstock studio painting when I discovered the drum circle by chance. I had heard that they gave free lessons at the community center/no drum required. Fred was not feeling well and about that same time we were reading "The Mozart Effect.". Which lauded all the reasons why music was healing, reduces blood pressure, increases the ability to learn, and that drumming resonates with the beat of your heart. I started to drum and found that it left me in a very good mood. I got Fred to comedown to the village green and before long he was drumming with me. Needless to say he was a far better drummer .Here we are

Found people from Miami drumming there, small world. Fred said he would buy me a drum but the store Out of Africa didn't have any when we got back to Miami.This past Saturday what with the 40th Woodstock celebration, I put my wish out to the universe. It was granted. I got myself a drum made in Ghana and the sound is sweet with a carved gazelle.

Just got this blog going again as I had hit my learning curve by trying to get my own video of the Woodstock drum circle up and found to my surprise, there are several already on youtube. So watch mine and if you like that view some of the others. The drum circle is sanctioned by the Town of Woodstock and as you can see from the various videos everyone is welcome. One of my friends was watching over my shoulder and his comment was "Oh look at that, even kids are doing it."

I am being Followed

Social networking is something new for me. I've attended networkers via Chamber of Commerce, workshops and breakfast functions but never quite with the intent to be social. It was always business. This new social media is making networking a more genial experience. Somewhere I heard that what took a year to accomplish the old fashion way now takes only about two hours.
Recently I had the pleasure of receiving 3 invitations to the same event from 3 different sources. The one I responded to was "thank you party for POW WOW volunteers". Now that was some event and I met so many people and to see them all again would be fun.
"Windisch-Hunt?" I looked not sure I heard correctly "Windisch-Hunt?" she said once more as I also read her lips and I responded questioningly Yes? she said "I follow you". I think I must have had a very surprised look on my face. I, AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt aka oneearsociety have a follower, this was one of my most exciting moments in quite a time. I am being followed, my blog posts have meaning. Oh my goodness. There is a face out there that I can direct my art insights too. I requested the first photographer to please take our photo so I can share it with everyone. Now that I have a face to address. (that photo did not work out)

Sylvia Quinn of the Mutiny Hotel, Coconut Grove

We exchanged cards and this morning I asked via Facebook if she was attending this social media networker this afternoon. She called, we are actually only a few buildings apart. She brought with her a treat and we, She, I and Fred Hunt sat down to Tea Time and exhchanged community news and what all had transpired in the past few month and the state of the affairs.
Thank You Sylvia for the treat.

We are listening Alyson

Always good to see friends

"Being around other artists builds your confidence and sustains you emotionally. In addition, you will hear about opportunities you never knew existed if you hadn't been a part of a group. ...........be introduced to new art products and materials: and receive business advice in many areas ...............Most importantly, with the right organization, you'll make contacts that lead to the next step on your career path. As you are learning, contacts play a seminal role in your success." by Alyson Stanfield of "I'd Rather be in the Studio"

What a great segue to our monthly "Breakfast with the Artist"©
1. Mano, mix/media 2. Valentina Ramos, graphics, 3 AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt galleriest, 5 Cuqui Bernstein Mano's Rep. 5. 6. Liz Gibson mixed media, 7. Ileana Holman 8.Giuseppee aka Joe Moniques other half 9.Monique Lassooij, oil , 10 Audrey Scott, photographer/painter 11. UTA environmental art, 12. Linda Apriletti, 13. Karen Deilke watercolor 14. Jerry Wade poet, 15 Dylan Terry oil/acrylic.
The Artist Featured this month Monique Lassooij was introduced to us via Linda Apriletti who is an exhibiting artist at the Windisch=Hunt Fine Art Gallery which initiated this monthly get together, as a win-win situation for the Bistro, the Artist and the Gallery. Focaccia Rustica is a wonderful small bistro in the heart of Coconut Grove, walking distance to the gallery. It has a good clientele and in this way we bring together artists, loyal friends and people interested in our featured artists.

Monique took figure drawing classes along with Linda and came  to support her friend, Linda our then featured artist, showcasing her smaller en plein air work.

 Now it has come full circle. Moniques's work title "Fresh from the Fridge" is the current exhibition for the month of August. What is cool about being part of such a lively group, is it brings together the artists who find themselves in their studio working. They have the opportunity to chat with other artist about the the subject most dear to them and the person sitting next to them completely understands. This type of collaboration is now being looked at by several arts organization including the Adrian Arsch a performance art venues on a much larger scale.A quick trip to the galleryto see whats new by Cuqui

A bit of inspiration when pricing your work

Worn by our guests at Convergence Reception

This wonderful exhibit which traveled all the way from the Ohio Glass Museum via Milwaukee Bead Show brought out some of our own fine art jewelry worn by patrons of the arts. It was wonderful to see the support given to an artform not often recognized as an artform by the general public. More photos of this exhibit further down this blog post.

Miami Heart Gallery in Coconut Grove

Another class act.

Last night Miami Heart Gallery had their opening in the Windisch-Hunt Fine Art Gallery. Once again they brought out the best in people, those who support the efforts of theThe Children's Trust
Our gallery has turned out to be a very good venue for them. We are not in a warehouse district, neither downtown, which is empties out in the evening nor at the Airport where people rush to catch the next flight out. Here in Coconut Grove we are the original community that established Miami. This historic walking district is surrounded by homes which translates to longevity, sense of values, and careing for our community which we are invested in. The result, a wonderful ratio of children, found stability with adoptive families last year. This is their second year that we have made space for their exhibit once again in hope to do our share for this valient effort and find homes for this years poster children. in the foster care system. We sincerely hope that they succeed as they did last year.