Bonjour! Je suis Paco

 

Bonjour! Je suis Paco!

 

8 x 10 Oil on Museum Board

 

$125 (framed $150)

 

 

 

The Long awaited Paco from the Caribbean!  I posted a few of him earlier in the year and am now just getting to the rest of the pieces.  He is a gorgeous cat who enjoys living on Grand Cayman.  Rumor has it that he survived the hurricane and was a street cat before being adopted by the hotel I was staying in.  What a magnificent turn of events for him!  That's something to keep in mind for any one going through the hurricanes of life!  This too will pass, thank you!

 

 

available for purchase at www.sophiemuseum.com/purchase

 



Simon Waits Patiently

 

Simon Waits Patiently

 

 5 x 7 Oil on Museum Board

 

$125

 

 

I think this is the last of my Simon Says series.....I know sad but also sort of fitting since we are nearing the end of summer and almost all seasonal things good & cultural here in the Berkshires.  This past weekend marked the close of the BSO (Boston Symphony Orchestra)'s summer season here at Tanglewood.  I was lucky enough to attend and had beautiful weather which has been cold and rainy most of this summer and not particularly cooperative for outdoor concerts.  It was an all Beethoven concert and wonderful listening too with the summer breeze wafting in the air as I lay beneath an area shaded by long standing trees.  Remarkably the acoustics (via speakers) are excellent even on the lawn......just pick your neighbors carefully!  Oh back to Simon.... At this point I'd say the little guy had had enough attention from the paparatzi and really was ignoring me and patiently waiting for me to open the door....which of course I did.  Cats!  Haven't they a way of controlling things (:


available at www.sophiemuseum.com/purchase


Hemmingway

 

Hemmingway

 

8 x 8 oil on museum board

 

SOLD

 

 

 I know, I know I've been posting all about Simon...but then I came across this lonely little image of my painting of Hemmingway.... and it occurred to me that it would be a nice surprise in the course of writing about the Berkshires since I have no idea when I will be writing a continuous blog on Key West, where he is, but he fits in nicely with all other cats.  If you ever get to Key West check out the Hemmingway House for more cuties like him.  Unfortunately, I can't recommend when the best time is for seeing the cats because I didn't have huge luck myself....but I did get tons of photos of flowers to paint from.....more coming next year.... and more on Simon on the next post I promise!

 

 

more work available at www.sophiemuseum.com



Simon Says "No One's Home"

 

Simon Says "No One's Home"

 

8 x 8 oil on museum board

 

$125

 

 

Poor Simon he waited a very long time for someone to open that back door of the Red Lion Inn and there just wasn't a soul that his telepathic waves reached.  Well I of course knew he wanted in but I was taking my photos of him and just wasn't ready to let him go that easy!  Besides he needed the lesson on...

 

More great places to visit in the Berkshires......Tomorrow night we're heading to Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.  The campus has been in operation I think for over 75 years.  Started way back in the days of Ted Shawn & I think an all male dance company.  This is my third trip up there this summer meeting up with friends for a picnic under the tent prior to the show and thank god we have had decent weather although mighty cold for summer!  You can bring your own cheese, wines, desserts...The Company has two main stages for dance productions and an outside stage which normally has free events for the community.  Definitely start looking at the website in January or February of the summer before you are planning to come because shows sell out fast!!!  Venues are usually only here for a week so that's not a lot of seats when you consider the amount of tourist the Berkshires get in summer.......

Simon Says C'Mon Let me In!

 

"Let me in!"

 

8 x 8 oil on museum board

 

$125

 

Here's another little piece of Simon at the back door of the Red Lion Inn.  Other great places to have fun at in the Berkshires are the Cranwell Resort on Rt 7 & 20.  During the summer months the "Capital Steps" comedy show is playing and really is hysterical!  All of the actors actually have incredible singing voices as well and it plays every night at 8 pm except Tuesdays.  You can head up to the mansion after for desserts and tea....or perhaps a little some stronger if you are into that!  Cranwell also has some of the best golf in the area and spa facilities.  

Simon Comes to Get Me!

Simon Comes to Get Me!

8 x 10 oil on museum board

$125

I think Simon here thought I had a snack for him so he was running to me.  Speaking of food....there are some great spots to eat in the Berkshires  If you're planning a Tanglewood lawn event trip then the place to go is Nejaimes wine and cheese either in Lenox or Stockbridge.  Both stores carry pre made picnics and wines from all over the world.  You can also go ala carte if none of the picnics interest you.  They have the finest selections of cheeses.  Many are local and made with raw milks.  Now that's something to live for! 

Not a grassy kind of person and looking for a restaurant?  Alta on Church Street in Lenox is still my favorite in town (Lenox) with a great wine list and soup specials daily.  Haven Café has great breakfasts for sure!  That is on Franklin Street, also in Lenox. 

artwork available at www.sophiemuseum.com/purchase



Simon At The Red Lion (Back Door)

 

 

Simon at the Red Lion (back door)

 

8 x 10 Oil on Museum Board

 

$125

 

 

Here we go again!  Simon is waiting patiently for someone on the inside to open up the back door so he can slide in and get to his dinner bowl.  It's most annoying for a cat not to have a regular servant to do these things.  Although Simon gets plenty of attention from the guests and staff it really is annoying that they can't read his cat thoughts and be there to fulfill his every whim!

 

Along with the Red Lion, Simon has been known to hitch rides as far as Great Barrington to attend the fabulous productions at a little gem of a theatre there called "Mixed Company".  Located off of Rossetter Street, "Mixed Company" produces several productions annually with local actors and primarily directed by Joan Ackerman who is an accomplished writer and producer.  I highly recommend you seeking out this theatre should you spend anytime in the Berkshires! 

 

 

available at www.sophiemuseum.com/purchase

Simon Says "Open Up"

Simon Say Open Up!

 

8 x 8 Oil on Museum Board

 

$125

 

 

Here's another piece of Simon at the back door of the Red Lion Inn.  Also on Main Street in Stockbridge is a little known theatre called the Lavender Door.  The theatre is owned and operated by the Austin Riggs Center located nearby.  Kevin Coleman, a well known Actor and Director in these parts, normally directs two shows a year here.  One in spring and one in the late fall.  He combines residents of the center with talented local actors to create an unforgettable Shakespeare play or other modern pieces.  The theatre is totally cute seating maybe 99 guests giving it a rather cozy feel and tickets are cheap - usually $10 at the door although reservations are suggested!  Everyone I turn on to this place really loves the shows and can't wait to go back.  Usually they are wishing for more than just the two productions! 

 

 

to purchase see www.sophiemuseum.com/purchase

Open Sesame

Open Sesame

SOLD

 

 

For those of you receiving my snail mail annual newsletter Simon was featured in it and then subsequently purchased.  He's the Red Lion Inn's mascot and pretty famous not only in these parts but even draws visitors from around the world to the Inn.  The Red Lion Inn is in the heart of Stockbridge, MA & has been accommodating visitors since 1773.  It was a featured winter scene by Norman Rockwell, a famous painter who had his studio in these parts too.  It was not originally called the Red Lion Inn, but has held this title since around the turn of the century (1900 that is).  Simon here is painted from the back porch door which is a little hide away compared to the front porch which adorns the Main Street.  You can have a much quieter drink on this side!  More on Simon and historic places to visit in the Berkshires on the nest post!

 

 

see www.sophiemuseum.com for additional pieces available of Simon