Bisbee

For the last 7 or 8 years I've wanted to go to Bisbee to paint. After years of excuses of why it's not feasible, financially or otherwise, I finally just went. Shoe string budget. Didn't even rent a car, explored on foot. Rice and beans most nights ($2.50 at the Savory Spot restaurant)

painting en plein air is hard work. I sweated through climbing the crags around Bisbee, the hikes up steep staircases, up and down streets and alleyways, with all my painting crap, searching for a shady spot to paint. I do two paintings a day, only one of it turns out good enough to post. Basically I'm out 10 hours out of every day just hiking and painting, with only a 9x12 painting to show for it at the end of the day. I got better the last few days though, mostly because the techniques started coming back to me from when I used to do this every weekend.

In my stay in Bisbee, I learned how incredibly friendly people are in small towns. I felt at home right away.

This is me and the cook Barry at the Apache Springs Cafe, the Inn's restaurant.

 This is me baking on Castle Rock itself

 The owner of the Inn Chris, helper of many wandering down-on-their-luck souls. A very kind person.

 and his lovely girlfriend

 James James James the innkeeper. We talked till 4am one night! We even painted together one evening. He was my rock in Bisbee, always ready to hang out.

 Lori, who is an aspiring artist. I loved seeing such passion in a young girl.

 Tell Hicks, famous artist I met on the plane! We hit it off so quickly!!! The stories he tells me, oh my. Hitchhiking across Europe, the Middle East, Australia... amazing stories. Inspirational ones. I hope our paths cross again.

One person I'm omitting a picture of is Hazel, the cook for the dinner parties held at the Inn. She doesn't like her picture taken.She is such a darling woman, so full of life and energy. I am indebted to her for her wisdom. She's the kind of person who makes everyone feel good about themselves. I felt that I was her baby chick and she was the mother hen when I was at Bisbee. :)