My paintings and drawings and once in a while a work that I like.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

It's a miracle I made it to Castle Hill

Earlier this year I found an Encaustic workshop to be given by Joanne Mattera that I desperately needed to attend. But, from the beginning everything was going against me. As soon as I passed the idea by Mike (my good-looking husband) to make sure he would be able to watch Pierson while I was away for a week, I immediately called Castle Hill to claim my spot. I was totally bummed when the person on the other end of the phone told me that the workshop was full, but I had her take my info so that I could be the first person on line if anyone backed out. Just a few weeks ago I got a call from the wonderful people at Castle Hill asking me if I was still interested in attending the workshop. Of course! I canceled part of our summer vacation to get the opportunity to learn and focus on my work for a week with almost no interruptions.
I began planning how I would get to the Cape and where I would stay and get around while there. Being on an emerging artist/stay at home mom income and with a husband in school, I had to find the cheapest way possible. I immediately booked a bed at the local hostel at a lovely $32 a night with a full kitchen so I could prepare my own meals. Then I attacked the transportation issue. I found that I could take a Lucky Star bus out of China Town into Boston for a mere $15 and then from there take a bus into Truro where I would only have to walk a mile and a half to the hostel with all my supplies and paintings. Which I was totally willing to do.
So, this past Sunday I had everything ready to go both for me and the boys that I was leaving behind. I got on the subway outside our Brooklyn apartment and took the R train to the D train at Grand and walked down to the bus.
We arrived in Boston on time and I had 3 hours to spare before the bus going to Truro would leave. When 6 o'clock came around I was in line for the bus excited and ready to go. I got up to the driver and said "one-way to Truro please." He then told me I needed to wait until he could sell me a ticket. So, I waited as he let everyone who was in line behind me onto the bus. Then he looked over to me and said, "you need to go to the counter and buy a ticket". Which is not the same information I got from whoever answers their phone. I was pissed--their ticket counter was closed for the weekend (?) and I was referred to the greyhound counter which had one agent and 15 people in line! At this point I was ready to barf. So, I walked back to the bus driver who basically told me I was out of luck and stuck in Boston until the next bus left in the morning.
So, I was on the verge of a break down...or maybe in the middle of one. I didn't know what to do, so I called Mike who at least could go online and look for some solutions. The call went straight to his voicemail. Then I called my mom who is really great and offered to help in any way so that i could go to this workshop. I was relieved when she answered and calmed me down and rented me a car, offering to pay for $200 of the bill. What a nice lady.
At that point I only needed to get to the airport to pick up the car and then find my way to Truro in the dark. I jumped on the subway to the airport with all my supplies in tow. Then flagged down the Enterprise shuttle to get to my car and hit the road.
Miraculously I made it with the little map I had printed from mapquest and the instructions they gave me at the car rental counter. By the time I pulled up to the hostel it was almost midnight and was relieved when I opened the door and there was a person at the desk. (They normally shut down at 10pm).
Miraculously I made it here despite all the obstacles. And I have nothing to complain about except for the one roommate who snores horribly all night long.

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photo courtsey of Jamie Perkins

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About Me

Brooklyn, NY
I am a artist living in Brooklyn and currently an artist-in-residence with Chashama at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. I have been working in encaustic for the past few years, but am usually trying out a couple of different art making media at once. Peter Everett once called my work kitch, but I don't think it bothers me.