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With nortth-facing windows and skylights, this space is designed for creating. |
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Saturday, July 9th, 2021
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Good morning!
If you've gone down Cedar Neck Road lately, you may have seen the For Sale sign in the front yard of my studio, gallery and learning center. I knew the owners wanted to sell it in a little more than a year the day I signed the lease in 2019, and I don't blame them at all for wanting to take advantage of this hot market.
I had hoped to buy it by the end of my lease and started off in my new location very nicely with my best studio tour in many years, but then came Covid. With the asking price significantly higher than when I signed the lease, I couldn't do it.
A bad thing? Not necessarily. By the time I knew I'd exhausted all avenues to finance it I had a vision for a different direction - a private studio at ground level where I could work and show my art to my clients by appointment and on special open studio days.
All of my life as an artist I have battled not having enough of the right kind of light and enough space to back up and see my paintings from a distance while working. Hopefully very soon neither of these challenges will be a problem any longer.
Over the winter I began working on the design of a ground level studio on my property next to the James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View. After long supply delays, last month the walls, roof, doors and windows were in place. As of this week, the electric has been run to the studio and interior wiring has been started but had to be halted because of extremely hot working conditions. HVAC is scheduled to go in at the end of next week. Then there are inspections, insulation, drywall, painting, lighting and flooring. The list seems to grow!
Someone once said to me that planning an event involving 15 artists and getting them to work together in an organized and timely manner was like herding cats. I can honestly say coordinating independent contractors feels much the same, but it's progressing, the work is good, and my public studio/gallery is still open and welcoming visitors to view and purchase my work and the handmade gifts, glass art and jewelry of others.
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No one has bought the building and I have 60 days to move after it sells, so the delay is okay, except for all of the extra expenses while still paying rent! I keep reminding myself of the message of my last Strength of Woman Series painting. It's in God's hands.
If my public studio stays unsold and I have a fantastically successful summer, I'd again look at buying it. But that's a huge question mark. It would be nice to have both the public studio and a private one that collectors could visit.
Throughout the design and construction work I'm still painting and will have some new pieces I'm proud of out soon. Summer on the Shore is finally in print in time for this weekend. The sunrise inlet painting that I showed in progress, then put aside for several months, will debut next. The most significant painting I'm working on is my next Strength of Woman Series oil. Given more time to ponder over the past year, I have more clearly seen how to portray the painting's message. It's another instance demonstrating that some paintings will be "born" when they're ready to be.
I think having my new, larger, more open, north facing studio with tons of natural light is going to be a big help. I can't wait to show more pics as it nears completion - hopefully soon!
I'm moving forward one step at a time, continually seeking direction, as I did a little over 22 years ago when I first opened the doors of the very successful Ellen Rice Gallery. It was a very different time in this area and a different leap of faith into the unknown, but my ultimate desire was the same then as it is now - to offer my work in a quiet place of beauty, peace and healing.
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So onward, hopefully with a lot less distractions and pressure after the new studio is finished! Prayers are welcome.
While the building process continues, I'm still planning to be in my public studio/gallery every Saturday afternoon and other days as time allows through the summer. Just jot me an email if you want to know when I'll be in or to schedule a meeting regarding a portrait or other type of commissioned painting.
I hope to get a chance to catch up with you in person soon!
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Note: the photo of the trees and forsythia above is a view overlooking the James Farm this spring. |
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painted this time of year when I was too busy to get to the beach
but craved jumping into .
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Studio Hours:
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Open 11 to 4 every other day of the week.
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ELLEN RICE STUDIO, GALLERY
and LEARNING CENTER
Celebrating the Best of American Creativity
Every Day since the Summer of 1999
30370 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View, DE 19970
302.539.3405
You may also keep apprised of Ellen's work on Facebook by clicking here.
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About my gallery manager... Duane is staying on to help me ~ and continuing on as the best possible person to help you with your next Luxury Disney vacation!
Planning a Disney vacation could be a great activity for your family as these challenging times come to a close, especially with the complementary help of a Disney travel planning expert.
Duane keeps abreast of all Disney travel news and updates and is by his phone ready to help you with his extensive Disney knowledge and award-winning services.
Duane Whitman, volunteer in chief at the Ellen Rice Gallery, is a professional, award-winning, Disney-certified Glass Slipper Concierge travel advisor and certified Orlando Travel Expert who enjoys planning custom-tailored vacations at Walt Disney World, on the Disney Cruise Line, with Adventures by Disney, at Disneyland ~ and at Harry Potter & Universal Studios!
Duane specializes in listening to your vacation hopes and desires and fine tuning Disney and Universal vacations to the specific wants and needs of each individual in your group and gives sound advice on best times to travel and matching you to the best resorts and cruises for your needs and heart's desires. Multiple generations and multiple venues? That is one of Duane Whitman's special areas of expertise. Among his other services:
- Complementary booking services. No extra fees for having Duane's assistance and guidance.
- Complementary, custom-tailored daily park plans and dining & attraction reservations.
- Complementary phone guidance and assistance even during your vacation
- Complementary tracking of Disney discount promotions that can benefit you even after your vacation is booked (within Disney parameters).
- For the ultimate concierge experience, fee-based personal guided tours in Walt Disney World.
To learn more, call Duane at (302) 448-1534
or email him for a free consultation by clicking here.
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