A Naturalist's Legacy and If you need Chocolate...

There is only a little over a month left on the show, "A Naturalists Legacy", at Zeppolis in Blacksburg, VA so I wanted to plug it again.  If you didn't read the promo before, here it is.  I am very proud of this tribute to my husband's conservation efforts.

A Naturalist's Legacy is a new show by award winning artist Kendall Kessler.  This show is centered around the achievements of Kendall's husband, Clyde Kessler, a well known naturalist in Virginia and North Carolina who has been studying the bird and butterfly populations and migration since 1975.  He has participated  in Christmas bird counts for the National Audobon Society since 1973.  His discovery in Virginia of the endangered Mitchell's Satyr in 1998 led to efforts to protect the species in the state.  It was unknown in Virginia at the time. It is considered to be one of the most important wildlife finds in the second half of the 20th century. Clyde has also led hawk watches since the mid 70's at Rocky Knob and other locations, and has surveyed Wildwood Park for plants and animal species for the city of Radford.

Clyde is also a poet who publishes twenty to thirty poems every year in print and online magazines.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Discovery Center. This organization offers innovative education programs in southwestern Virginia that include studies of the natural world, art and writing. These programs are for children and adults of all ages.  Clyde is hopeful that the efforts and programs of BRDC will encourage future generations to enjoy and protect the environment. For more info about Blue Ridge Discovery Center:

http://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/

Clyde is a regional editor of Virginia Birds, and also leads bird watching tours for Radbird, a local tour company started by Catherine Van Noy.

A Naturalist's Legacy will have a new, symbolic painting taken from an old photograph of Clyde and his son Alan who is one of the many young people Clyde has taught over the years about this beautiful mountain region.

Now, for fun, a commentary on commercials. Last night we saw a commercial about a cereal with pieces of chocolate added to it.  My husband quipped that if you have to have chocolate at breakfast, then you will probably be scarfing it for lunch and main lining it at supper time.  I think he may have something there.  I love chocolate but I think I can eat cereal without it.

School Starts Tomorrow without Me and Where is Everything?

Tomorrow is the first day of classes at Radford University and I will be hanging a show at New Life Dental in Blacksburg, VA. I will miss working with college students but I am extremely excited about being a full-time artist! Now I have the time to work at my artwork and selling it. Since no one is adding more hours to the day I had to cut out the teaching so I could have more hours for my art. In spite of what the physical therapist has told me is myafacial pain, I am going at it full speed. The MRI is in the works and I will do what I have to for my aching leg but quitting painting and exhibiting paintings is not an option. If you live in Southwest Virginia be sure to see my current show, "A Naturalist's Legacy" in Blacksburg. It will be there for three months and then go to Zeppolis which is also in Blacksburg.

I always try to plan in advance for shows. I try to have everything packed the night before and then gather everything up and shove it in the car an hour before leaving home. Something always goes wrong. Murphy's Law works over time just for me. One time I forgot a hammer at a show where the hooks were not strong enough and I had to go buy a new one. Another time I actually left one of the main paintings home which is a half an hour away. If I don't stab myself with one of the sharp corners on a metal frame I will think I am in the Twilight Zone. Can't wait to see what will happen with my sore leg since I have to take the paintings up a flight of stairs. Just hope I can keep from cussing in public. You have to truly love art to put up with it!