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I was going to post a page of the 2009 calendar as a real "sneak preview" - but it's not working.  So - Plan B!!  This will be the food for April and we'll have a recipe for Greek Souvlaki!  Oh, my!  Ingredients include lamb (or pork) and those yummy basic Mediterranean things - olive oil and vinegar, garlic and onion, oregano and parsley and mint, etc - how can you go wrong??  Sometimes the most basic foods are the best.  April's a great time to break out the grill after some chilly months and cooking inside.  Holly's husband Nick is of Greek heritage and he must be a great cook.  Holly says this is like the Greek version of burgers - very popular street food.  She says they often squeeze lemons on the meat so that was a perfect excuse to add some lemons - my most favorite food!!!  The calendar also has some info on a Greek festival in Austin, Texas - and a drink suggestion.  Each month will have this kind of info - a food painting with a recipe and some fun "facts!"  Cool!

Lots going on in my art world these days.  I've been painting in my temporary studio in the West Bottoms of Kansas City.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy going to a studio.  Lots of room to spread out - away from distractions at home - and you really feel like you're there to "work."  Which is the whole idea.  Plus - the environment there is so creative.  This is a rundown and partially abandoned warehouse district that dates to the early days of Kansas City.  Big brick buildings - many boarded up - but lots of quirky businesses in this area.  I walk up 5 flights of stairs on rickety old wooden slatted floors.  There's a spice company above us and you get the aromas of the "spice of the day."  A couple of guys on our floor have a construction company (build windows etc for old homes) and you hear the saws buzzing when you approach the 5th floor.  Just so many of your senses wake up when you get close to the studio.  Too bad it won't last beyond September, but I'm making the most of it while I'm there.

One goal this month - finish my art for the calendar AND for a showing at ARTichokes in August.  I'll be one of their featured artists this quarter and the reception is August 15.  Exciting!  Lots of beautiful art to paint - I love that kind of challenge.  Nothing like a new environment and deadlines to get the creative juices flowing!!  Hope you all have some beautiful goals, too.