Enough!

I won't be marching in Birmingham today, but I will be there in spirit!  My friend Bethanne Bethard Hill's poster speaks for me as well. I pray this movement will be the end to the violence in our country. 

Meet the Artist - Darius Hill

I caught my neighbor, artist Darius Hill biking recently at Avondale Park's Bike Parade. Darius is the Chairman of the Visual Arts Department at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and exhibits his work throughout the southeast. It's an artistic family. Darius' wife is the talented artist, Bethanne Hill and they have three of the greatest kids I know! 

Bethanne!

I LOVE the Magic City Art Connection. In its 32nd year, it continues to be one of Birmingham's premier art shows. I go back every spring to wander the tents and meet old and new artist friends. Today, I want you to meet my delightfully talented friend Bethanne Hill.  She and I are neighbors, good friends, but I'm also the president of her fan club. She'll be showing her art near the gazebo at the MCAC this weekend. GO, BUY, and tell her I sent you!

Bethanne

From time to time I think maybe I should close this blog, that I've run dry of photos to take here. Then I  meet a new friend, and I'm ready to go for another 6 years!

Welcome to my friend Bethanne Hill's studio.  She's lived just blocks from me for years, and I've heard wonderful things about her for so long, but she and I just connected through Facebook in the last few months.  She is one fabulous artist but she's more than that.  Bethanne is a tireless advocate for Avondale Elementary, Avondale Park and our city.  She's funny, compassionate, thoughtful and just a sweet, gentle soul.  Lately, she's been kind enough to include me on some exciting neighborhood field trips and we've had some big fun!

  

Yesterday I visited her little studio behind her home in Forest Park.  I sat on a stool while she put the finishing touches on this family pew, commissioned by friends.  We talked about how she got started, what inspires her ( aborigine art)  and "the process". I'm a frustrated painter,  so I always want to know the dirt on that.  She painted, and we talked and occasionally I had to stop to take a few shots of her hilarious dogs. You will have to come back another day to see them!