Wausau: It's All A Warm Fuzzy Blur

Birds in Art Exhibit at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum. In foreground: "Tundra Swan", Gene Reineking; "Alight, Roseate spoonbill", Krystaii Melaine

Just got back from Birds in Art and still processing an amazing weekend. All’s still a pleasant blur but a few gems stand out: Master Artist John Busby speaking on life, art and process; the life-drawing session set up for artists with materials and model provided; the many reception events (with outfit opportunities); being wined and dined and well-taken care of by Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum and its awesome staff and volunteers. Most of all, the supportive and inspiring company of a fantastic group of bird artists. Seeing amazing artwork up close and personal, with the artist on hand for enlightening (and entertaining) explanations, was a gift beyond price.

My own, "19th Century Slab Quarry, Hermit Thrush" hanging beside James Morgan's beautiful "Patterns of Winter, Mallard". It never hurts to hang next to the bar, either. On the back wall: Cindy House's glorious pastel, "Late January Afternoon, Wild Turkey".

The weekend’s weather was exceptional: clear, hot and sunny. T-shirts and shorts, water sports, volleyball, hikes in the hemlocks. Of course I can’t remember the winner of the “How Many Shoes Did You Bring” award and it was either Cindy House (6 pairs) or Julie Zickefoose (6 pairs? 7? were they tied for first place? It’s all a blur). I brought 5, if you count flip flops. Jim Coe brought one pair of all-purpose brown leather brogues but he outdid us all with his sleek fedora. And that’s the fashion report from Birds in Art.

(Update: it was a tie- 6 pairs of shoes each for Julie and Cindy)