Amy Evans Painting Adventures

Black Friday

I am already tired of the ads and the feeding frenzy that marketers are promoting. If you follow the ads it seems that every woman in America gets up before midnight this Friday to participate in this shopping sport. For some it seems to be a family event during the long Thanksgiving holiday. What does this say about our culture?

I guess I am strange in the fact that I don't view shopping for bargains as a family bonding experience. Sharing in lines, hunting for parking places in crowded malls, and grabbing the bargains just doesn't appeal to me. What about those gifts? Are they that special?

Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for our country, our blessings, and our families near and far. I enjoy cooking, sharing our bounty, and relaxing.

Instead of participating in Black Friday, why not visit a gallery or museum with family? Learn about art and bring some beauty into your life. 

Bring art into someone's life by giving them a painting to begin their collection.  A couple of my galleries are having miniature shows where you can find smaller paintings that make great gifts.

http://www.germantongallery.com.

http://www.link-gallery.com.

"Aspen Dance", oil. Ago Gallery, Ouray, CO.

Beauty Strikes Again

"Aspen Dance", oil

I just returned from moving my parents from their home to a new retirement community. It was literally night and day...the new apartment is filled with light and the open areas in the facility are also filled with art, plants, water features, and expanses of windows. Their old home was dark and gloomy.

You feel good when you walk into their new apartment and community; even though it is a retirement facility. I believe that a lot of it has to do with the interiors.

Art can do the same...I hung some of their art collection as well as placing their pottery in their new home. I made sure that the art was colorful in some areas and calming in the others. They are great fans and collectors of my work, so most of the paintings are mine.

My sister and I could tell a difference in their attitude in a short 48 hours. They were smiling and happy. I believe that being surrounded by beauty and light has been a big part of that.