Feeding The Addiction

I was exhausted yesterday after work. I blew off the gym and went to bed. After a two hour nap, I was refreshed and hungry. I threw together a chicken breast burrito which I devoured while checking the gallery websites. It had been a few weeks since I made the rounds. I missed my people like an addict misses a fix. It was time to see some art to help relieve the funk of working ten hours days all week. I was flying solo so a quiet evening of art would start the weekend.

I left the house a little after seven. Traffic was light so I made it to the Santa Fe Arts district in no time. The street was quiet as most galleries were closed. Spark and Core were open so I stopped for quick look. I ran into Jesse (she used to be a guy) getting into her car. We hugged and chatted for a bit. Jesse gave me a quick review of the new show at Spark before heading over to Navajo Street.

Joyce and Al, former neighbors, were right inside the door talking to Madeleine. Joyce introduced me to Heidi, one the artists showing their work. The small space was packed so I may have to go back for a second look. I found out Joyce and Madeleine will be having a show a Spark in May. Nine months is a long time to wait to see work by these two local masters.

My next stop was Navajo Street. Next was packed so I quickly breezed through the gallery using the rear hallway to enter Pirate. Pirate has two minimalist abstract shows that I really like. I can’t explain it but I found the shows soothing and serene. Perhaps because the gallery was empty as the crowd was next door.

I ran into Perry at the Chris Bullock show at Zip37. I hadn’t seen her for a few months as she had a gig in Breckenridge and rented a place there for the summer. Perry picked up one of Chris’ pieces for a song. Chris is an up-and-coming talented artist. Perry has a knack for finding new talent.

We were both headed to Ice Cube to see Jean Smith’s new work. Perry retrieved a bottle of cava from her car before carpooling with me over to Ice Cube. The gallery was empty when we arrived but the party started with the pop of a cork along with a toast to Jean. Jean’s new work is stunning. The show’s title is Stacked and Hung which is a double entendre. Jean is sharing the space with Jen Burdess who is showing large format portraits drawing on plastic sheets. Jean’s work is abstract ceramics which may not appeal to most people. One has to admire to Jean’s craft and technique along with a color palate that is simultaneously muted and colorful. Jean toured the show with us and explained each peace. Bob, Jean’s husband, opened a bottle of white wine the cava was finished. Perry gave Jean some tips for a meeting she has with one of the top art consulting firms next week. I snapped a few pictures with my phone. Two hours of conversation flew by in no time.

It was late so we bid adieu. I dropped Perry off at her car and headed home. The night turned into an unexpected journey. My art addiction had been fed.