Eat, Drink, and be Merry!

... And that was the theme for the 2015 Sarasota Chalk Festival held in Venice, Florida.

FLORIDA! A mad dash, red-eye flight, crossing of fingers to make it both in and out of Denver in November, and a 5:15am arrival in Tampa. Ooh, tired eyes, crooked neck and very excited heart!

Sketch and color study in hand, I signed in at the Festival office and Set out for Miami Avenue.

For the Eat Drink and be Merry theme... I knew I didn't want to create an image of anyone eating and definitely not anyone drinking, that made Merry my inspiration. Merry; I started thinking of laughing, happiness, joy, spinning, twirling, dancing, music. MUSIC!

After some sketching of people dancing followed by others of musicians, I drew a woman holding a moon like a Lute or Bass. Moon = Luna: Luna and Music: Luna's Merry Music of the Spheres!

Okay that last part is a bit of a jump, but after I'd finished my sketch and color rough, I was still massaging the title of the piece. I sent the art to my Mom and Sister and my Mom wrote back that made her think of The Music of the Spheres. Huh? What?

Thank you Wikipedia- I soon learned about a long ago concept of Pythagorous which in its essence describes the planets as consonants and whole notes - celestial sounds and music. 

Perfect! "Luna's Merry Music of the Sheres."

Reconnaissance and Tacos

Today has been about exploring.

I drove around the town of Truth or Consequences making note of two Hot Springs I want to visit: Riverbend and Palomas. Can't wait to relax there later.

Then I headed to Elephant Butte the local state park. Umm, GORGEOUS! The sky is that special New Mexico blue, the water this unique whitish turquoise, like sea glass. Add in the buttes with cloud shadows and you have a lot of future paintings!

I drove around to different access points all of which were populated with RVs and tents, maybe 20+ Airstreams and plenty of families having a picnic. 

I found this beautiful bush along the waters edge with sweet, pink flowers. Totally enthralled with these.

Tacos. Yes, I was driving down a road and noticed a covert Taco place. If I hadn't recognized the name from a list of recommended eats back in my cottage I wouldn't have paid any attention to this little oasis.

It does not disappoint. Tacos.... Yum!