July 8th

After a week in County Mayo, I arrived at the Tryone Guthrie Center. I am inland - away from the edge of the sea - in the lush green hills outside of the village of Newbliss, County Monaghan near the border of Northern Ireland. Everything is exquisite from the home, studio, grounds and the food served by the lovely staff.

I am in the group of nine new arrivals — along with a few artists ending their first week — gathered for dinner tonight. Musicians, writers, dancers and visual artists from Ireland, Seattle, Texas and beyond. An talented group of professionals artists having a respite to fine tune their craft, work on existing projects or wander into new ideas of exploration.

The estate belonged to Sir William Tyrone Guthrie - an English theatrical director instrumental in the founding of Stratford Festival of Canada the Guthrie Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota and this Center at his family’s ancestral home. He is famous for his original approach to Shakespeare and modern drama. (thank you Wikipedia)

I feel so honored to be here.

View from my studio.