Telluride Time Out

We are all up in Telluride for the Plein Air Painting Festival and for the past few days, Bryan has been painting like crazy.  I have been doing my part by trying to keep parenting requests to a minimum.  It is great to come along on these little adventures but I also recognize too much family stress could lead to a lack of artistic focus for Bryan.  The last two days are a great example.

Last night, Bryan was at the artist's orientation and I decided to do laundry.  I put in the wash (over in the 200 building) and fed the kids dinner.  Then I gathered everyone together to go out and put the laundry in the dryer.  I grabbed the dryer sheets, quarters, and kids and ran out the door.  I forgot the key and our hotel charges a $50 lock-out fee.  I found a nice man and used his cell phone to text Bryan and tell him his presence (and key was needed asap).  Being the fabulous guy he is at juggling all his work and family roles, he showed up to let us in 15 min later.  I planned on doing better next time.



Today, I took the kids fishing at a local pond.  I figured we would stay out of Bryan's hair for a few hours and he could log in some good painting time.  The only problem was...my son actually caught something.  Although we are typically a catch-and-release family, today a little rainbow trout swallowed the hook.  We did what we could but he was not releasable.  As this was an excellent opportunity to teach the kids about respecting animals and eating what you take...I called Bryan...to come clean the fish.  He was in the middle of a painting but said he would come in about an hour.  He was there in 40 min...

There's always tomorrow.

Crazy Daze

Things have been quite busy around the Taylor household recently.  At the beginning of June, we received a visit from the Mother-In-Law of the Artist.  Fabulous to have her...and a great way to mix up normal 'boring' life.  During this un-boring time, Bryan was also completing all of the work (30 pieces) for his one-man-show at Elliott Fouts Gallery in September.  They are printing a catalog of the show and needed his work by the beginning of July.  (The only problem was that Bryan was heading to Colorado for his Telluride/Aspen/Crested Butte/Easton, MD tour on June 23.) 

So June 22 was the big day for lots of paintings all over the living room for the final critique and touch-ups.  Then it was photo time.  Bryan personally photographs his work in our state-of-the-art photography studio with all the best lighting.  Here he is doing his thing.

Where Have all the Paper Towels Gone?

 I buy a lot of paper towels.  For business purposes, I keep our family paper towel purchases separate from Bryan's business paper towels.  That way, no unauthorized personal use of business goods occurs.  Theoretically, this should work perfectly.  Bryan's 24 pack of towels is neatly and conveniently stacked in his studio closet...ready when he needs them.  My rolls are stored in the garage and I keep one in the kitchen.  The other day I got a fresh 'personal' roll out and put it on the kitchen counter.  Then I went off to take care of whatever 'mom' stuff I was doing.  A while later I needed a paper towel.  I went to the kitchen and my 'personal' roll was gone.  Worried I was losing my mind, I looked everywhere for the new roll.  I asked the kids if they had seen it.  Nothing!  Bryan wouldn't have taken it because he has his own paper towels, right?  Wrong.  When you need paper towels, the ones on the kitchen counter are much more convenient than the ones piled up on the floor of the studio closet.  Especially when 5 paintings, a frame and a tripod are leaning against said closet door.  I removed these obstacles and pulled out a 'business' roll for Bryan.  Then I took my half used 'personal' roll back to the kitchen. 

I'll be billing him for his 'personal' use.