Monday, February 14, 2011

Love

Hi,

Today was Valentine's Day here in Chiang Rai and was widely celebrated. We had a successful opening for Lisa's art exhibit, with a good turn out and two sales.

Oh my, we didn't do so well with the 'Old School Friday' song. It was "Earth Angel" by The Penguins. For 'Easy Monday' we sing a song that we sang before. It seems fitting to use again for Valentine's Day. Do you know this:
"There's nothing you can do that can't be done. Nothing you can sing that can't be sung. Nothing you can say, but you can learn how to play the game. It's easy... " Hint: Title is in 5 words, sung by four guys from across the pond.

Saturday was the big day. We kicked it off by attending a birthday party for our friend Gary. It was a sit-down lunch where we met more new people and had some fun conversation. Gary and I share the same birthday and it was really cool that he had a gift for me.

We left the party and got a little rest before getting ready for the opening. Boot had given me a beautiful shirt and I decided to wear it that night. Lisa wore basic black with a long, orange vest type garment from Vietnam. Boot came with us in a pretty dress, and the three of us made quite a picture. We arrived at the gallery at 6:30pm so Lisa could make last minute checks of the name plates on her work. Everything was in order and to our surprise, the mayor showed up early. He was very interested in learning about Lisa's art and the process that she uses. She and the mayor and Khun Sompong went into the gallery and she explained things.

As the crowd began arriving we were treated to three violin pieces by Sakkan, the son of the gallery owners. It turns out that we knew most of those who came. We think there were about 50 people there. The mayor was a very nice man who spent quite a bit of time talking about Lisa's work and how she had become a part of the Chiang Rai art community. He and Khun Jaffee, who translated for the mayor, both referred to Lisa as an "international artist." I guess that means there's some travel in our future.

After the mayor's comments, Lisa was introduced. She was accompanied by our friend Chalit, who translated for her. She expressed her gratitude to those who had come, and told them of the inspiration she had derived from Chiang Rai and it's people. At the end of the talk she thanked them with a couple of sentences in Thai. The crowed was very appreciative of this and she got a rousing applause. She then presented the mayor with a cast acrylic print that she'd made for him and they took pictures together. Then came the ribbon cutting by the mayor.

The crowd swarmed into the gallery and spent lots of time viewing each piece, studying all the nuances of Lisa's creations. There are many things to see in each one and we could see some of the local artists standing together, discussing the work. One of the pieces was bought by Supaluk Teppawan, the woman who owns the art supply store where Lisa buys paints and supplies. She bought two of Lisa's works at her first show. She's a real 'patron'. She doesn't speak any English, yet they have managed to forge a friendship. At one point during the show she called her son in Bangkok, who speaks English, and spoke to him and then handed the phone to Lisa. He told Lisa that his mother is going to learn to speak English so they can talk. When he comes to town they'll come to dinner. The other sale was to our friend Eddy. There was also a conversation with a young man we met named Bet, who wants Lisa to do two works for his new hotel. Things are definitely 'happening'.

Today, in celebration of Valentine's Day there was a concert in front of the Chiang Rai Mall, right on the sidewalk. It started in the afternoon and went on into the evening. There was also a carnival at the central park so the kids had something to do. This is amazing Thailand.

Have a Great Week. More on the opening evening tomorrow.

Peace,
Danny

PS Pictures coming soon.

"Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it."
~Harry Emerson Fosdick

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
http://blog.risingstardom.com/
www.lisamosesgallery.com

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