Budding Beauty

Vashon Island


Things have moved through the budding stage and into full bloom here at the Black House, thanks to a balmy and very wet spring. A nose poked directly into the Loderis (our incredibly fragrant rhodies) will transport you to the root beer stand of your youth. The white tulips are the tallest they've ever been. The deer haven't yet attacked the rest of the blossoming scape, so the show goes on in ridiculously verdant splendor.


As much as I adore the beautiful blooming landscape, I adore even more the fun of working in this studio. My muse, Zeteticus - that old Latin seeker of the truth - reminds me to skip over the BS and find the straight line to truths in all the corners of our world. One of those corners is the never ending conversation about our bodies, and the push me- pull you relationship people (especially girls/women) have with food, fashion and frivolous claims of fancy. It's a tough place to find the truth, this whole body image business.


This is where Georgette plays a big - and for those who've been to the studio, you know I mean BIG - role in the conversation. People ask me why that dame is allowed to hold court in the grandest room in the house. Some go so far as to accuse her of being ugly. But I think Georgette is beautiful. Gorgeous, in fact... because Georgette is my daily reminder that BEAUTY is not only in the eyes of the beholder but a snarky form of power packed neatly inside the beholder's baggage. Georgette is here to remind every woman, fully blooming or just in the budding stages, to take control of their "beauty message." She's a reminder that compliments and insults can all come from the same place - someone else's agenda driven perspective. And no one has a right - or ever enough information - to impose the power of their perspective on something as vital as our self esteem.


Georgette is here to help us all stand in front of the mirror and find the words, "I. Am. Beautiful." She's the First Lady here at the Black House, a beautiful - and fitting - ambassador for The President of Me.


The Black House is officially "Open" the first two Saturdays of May* 
during the Vashon Island Art Studio tours.
Come say hi. Come take a look at how beautiful Georgette is. 
She's all dressed up for the occasion.


 Happy Spring, all you beautiful seekers of the truth.

*I'm actually "unofficially open" any day of the week you see my car in the driveway... really... stop in for a little Vitamin Black...