Mellow Monday on Tap . 4/26/11

On my drive to Ft. Lauderdale

yesterday, a Lizard appeared

on my windshield.

With the help of the Internet

I learned that through myth and legend the

lizard is associated with dream

time.

"The psychic characteristics to

be found in the lizard, teaches

us how to awaken our abilities

by choosing one path over another."

One of many images being projected

during our gathering last night,

at Louise and Grant's home.

Artist Evo Love, in Studio

@her STASH Gallery, Saturday

night.

On the left is visiting Art Dealer

James Baird from Newfoundland

and Artist Billy Keat whose new

work was being featured.

Left to right @Stash

Romain Gateau, Louise Markus,

Evo Love, a friend and Julia Morton.

Poet Johnny O @Ladder Gallery

Saturday Evening.

The good news is, it's Monday morning and I'm still standing...

The days flew by last week.

With a tightly packed schedule, I am grateful for what I hope

will be some less structured, most welcomed, down time.

Saturday night was interesting in more ways than one.

For starters, I arrived @my Studio late in the day for a

6:30 PM appt. with an Artist I had met @Launch Market in

The Design District.

The idea being, we could have a brief visit prior to the

Literary Event scheduled @7PM downstairs at Ladder

Gallery.

No sooner than I got there, my buddy Kerry McLaney

appears.

Angelica the Artist from Launch Market was next,

right on time @6:30PM.

We were just settling in when there was a knock

on the door.

Surprise, surprise. There was was my good friend,

Mr. Bill Gorman, with his sister Cathy K., one of my

best friends for over 30 yrs. and her husband

Mark in tow.

OMG, I couldn't believe it.

Cathy K is the top producing Realtor in Winter Haven

and the surrounding areas,

They were unexpectedly in town for the weekend.

Marveling @ their timing (they were passing by

the studio and stopped in on the off chance that

I would be there).

So now we were 6 in my small Studio.

No sooner than we were all comfortably seated,

another knock @ the door and voile, here comes

Louise Markus and Grant Genoa with 3 friends

visiting from NewFoundland.

Are you keeping count, people?

We were now 11.

We all proceed to file in downstairs to Ladder

Gallery for their scheduled Literary Event.

We were shocked and dismayed that the featured poet,

Mr. Summer Hill Seven was a "no show".

I'm still wondering what's up with this?

I had just recently met this dynamic, brilliant

Published Author, Poet, Actor, Attorney and had been

promoting his appearance all week on Facebook.

Without missing a beat, T. Elliot Mansa, the Guild Artist

whose current show "Looking into the fish bowl"

is now @Ladder Gallery

greeted everyone (a packed house) and introduced

Poet John O.

John Oliver is a Miami native, who learned the value

of music and art growing up in Cutler Ridge.

It became a way of life for him.

In 2002, he became engaged in the arts of freestyle,

hip-hip and the writing of poetry.

He published his first book in 2008,

28 Triumphant Poems.

He has become a legend in the Spoken Word circles,

and performs at such venues as Speak and Stone Groove.

Performing many of his legendary works, we were

all rather spellbound.

Immediately following this presentation, I was

off to STASH Gallery, @ 162 NE 50th Terrace for

the opening of Artist Billy Keats newest

works.

In November 2009, STASH Gallery brought it's

popular and successful "Under the Bridge" show

from the outside, in.

6 yrs. previously, Artist Evo Love and Romain Gateau

rented a block of street meters from the City of Miami.

Their vision?

To create an open, out door, Art Gallery, literally under

a bridge @1st St. and NE 2nd Avenue in the Design District.

Providing music and refreshments, they managed to

produce a fully developed show.

Saturday night's opening was an example of how this

format continues to work for them.

With live music rocking the night away, we enjoyed

meeting Billy Keats and seeing his new group of work.

I was thrilled that my friends, Midtown Realtor

extraordinaire, Irene Dakota and her husband,

Photographer Michael Dakota had continued on

to Stash as well.

The appearance of Art Critic and Writer Julia Morton

and her husband, Writer James Pricer only sweetened

the evening.

Home safe and sound after midnight, I was grateful

to go to bed knowing that my Sunday commitments

were scheduled for late in the day.

By 4PM yesterday, I was on my way North to Ft. Lauderdale

for a Easter Barbecue Gathering @ Louise and

Grants fabulous home and studio's.

Grant was engaged in manning the fire, preparing

the feast that lay in store for us.

We all sat in a rather large circle in the backyard,

relishing the cool breeze and the sounds of nature.

True to their brilliant style, as the sun set a

remarkable video presentation began, unannounced

and projected on the wall of the shed outside.

The original mix of music playing and the unusual

and clever use of lighting, they had managed to

create and original art happening.

Being surrounded by loving, creative friends, sharing

great stories and good food, was the perfect ending to

an exciting week.

Never left till after 10PM and was grateful

to arrive safely home.

Ah, and so here we are folks, a new week ahead

of us.

What are your plans, goals, aspirations?

I'm looking forward to quite, uninterrupted

Studio time.

That said, I'm open to all the possibilities

that will doubtlessly present themselves as

the week unfolds.

With a grateful heart, I welcome this new

day.

Ever mindful that it's the journey, not the

destination that counts.

Peace and love.