We have arrived in Doha!

And has already been a rich experience. Everything feels new. The traveling to get here is now behind us and we are ready for the rich cultural experience. I am particularly looking forward to installing my piece tomorrow. We will shortly be going out for our first meal here; I think it needs to be Middle Eastern though there are many choices. After a few hours napping this morning after checking in to the hotel we took a long stroll along the Corniche, absorbing the amazing architecture, the recent and continuous construction, the unique fishing boats and especially the views of the skyline back toward the Four Seasons. Then we had to return for a swim in the very salty, bouyant Persian Gulf water. At first the heat was a little shocking, coming from Maine's coolong fall temperatures, but we got used to it, continuing to drink plenty of water.

Countdown to Qatar: One week!

It hardly seems real that a week from tomorrow we will be on our direct flight to Qatar from Philadelphia. We had some friends over last night for dinner, one of whom is from Jordan. He told us to expect a lot of heat! Which we knew of course, but he emphasized it...Just as it is cooling off here in the north it will be very hot in the Persian Gulf. Can't quite imagine that but I can imagine we will be indoors a lot; I hope to sit on a beach for a bit at our hotel! It looks like I may be giving a presentation to an art class at Virginia Commonwealth University which has a branch in Doha. This is going to be so exciting and different, I just can't wait for the trip to be underway and to meet Dana Shell Smith, our recently appointed US Ambassador to Qatar.

Countdown to Qatar: Ten days!

For some reason I couldn't add text to my last post. What you're seeing is the art transport van and Flo and Angel packing up Library to send it on its way to Qatar for the Art in Embassies exhibition. What professionals! I have no worries that the panels will arrive safely as they were packed in bubble wrap then surrounded by cardboard then they will be crated for further protection. As long as they don't sit in the hot desert sun (some parts might melt due to the wax I use here and there) they'll be fine.
Spent last week getting ready for my annual two day Open Studio event as part of the Belfast Creative Coalition Farm and Art Tour. Saturday was slow, due, I think, to the dark and cool day but Sunday was fantastic. Sunny blue sky and warm sun brought lots of people out and I saw old friends as well as new. The studio is packed right now with new work from the summer and early fall. It's great to have a way to share it with those interested enough to make the trip to Appleton.
This week the lovely people who are making the arrangements for the Artist Exchange, Welmoed and Kristen (as well as many others, I'm sure!), will be working on my itinerary for the days I'll be in Qatar so I should know shortly what my responsibilities will be. I've been lucky enough to meet a great couple here who lived recently in Doha and they have been sharing their thoughts, including reassuring me that Qatar Airlines will treat us very well on the flight over! Now I'm actually looking forward to the flights!

Countdown to Qatar: Three weeks!!

Countdown to Qatar: Four weeks away

Sunrise over the Camden Hills from our house in Appleton. These beautiful September days in Maine are precious. We're loving the sunrises, ground fog, foliage that's beginning to color up. We'll be doing our best to take adavnatge of this weather until October 24 when we board a plane for the Persian Gulf. We will be there less than a week but after talking with someone yesetrday who had lived in Qatar for two years recently I am feeling more excited and prepared for the adventure. We now know where we will be staying. The transport van is due next week to pick up the work and then it's just a question of finding out what else I will be asked to do, after I have installed Library.

Countdown to Qatar --Five weeks away

Flights have been arranged, arrangements arranged, hotel reserved, visa to be granted upon arrival, art transport van due next week. It's coming together, after a long wait, all summer. I have been revisitng the five panel part that will be installed in Qatar, adding, subtracting, inserting, reattaching, securing, even gluing so everything stays in place during trael then for the two and a half to three years I won't see the piece so won't be able to add to it or change it or secure things that have detached...this is a GOOD thing! I have discovered the other artists whose work will be included: Jeffery Becton, Gabriella d'Italia, Grace deGennaro, Clare Seidl, Anne Neely, Shannon Rankin and Alex Katz! To be invited on the Artist Exchange (even if it is to just install the work) is monumental. Other responsibilites have yet to be disclosed.

Countdown to Qatar 6 weeks away

It's count down time for the Artist Exchange trip to Qatar. It's just over six weeks away now. The piece I am sending is ready to ship but I don't ye know when the transportation company is coming to get it. Questions are really starting to come up. Not doubts, but questions having to do witht he specifics of the trip. We don't have our flight details yet! I will hopefully be talking to the travel coordinator with the Art in Embassies Program this week, today or tomorrow.