A Photo Show...

My part of the photo show festivities on Saturday stared at Ms. Dina's lovely home...hours before the opening, the girls were primping and making beauty happen indeed...

We had lemon glaze coffee cake and a bit of coffee amids the getting ready giggle fest...all while Dina applied my make-up and did my hair...making me feel like quite the doted over gal. I'll tell you, I could get used to that...Plus? I realize that I didn't even do this elaborateness before I got married...so, it was a lovely treat.

Seeing as Dina was doing my hair she was able to curl every single last piece...which seems next to impossible for me to do for myself...making my hair look like a wig (I have scads of thick hair) OK...it hardly looked like a wig, but it was more curly and pretty than I'm use to in real life (and several people actually didn't know if it was my real hair or not, which was a little silly...because the curling took long enough, I can't imagine when we would have started if Dina was going to do extensions) She also made it "bigger" than I normally wear, and decided that I should wear it down instead of up since I was going strapless (and no, I'm not in love with any of the pictures of myself...I'm rethinking white as a clothing option..seeing as I thought I looked a little larger than I thought I normally look...sigh. I swear this working out better start paying off...or I am going on a complete hunger strike)

There was also a lot of hair spray flying about at Ms. Dina's house...making it feel a little like the 1980's...but damn. My hair held that curl all. night. long (I may have to reinvest in Aqua Net's Extra Super Hold) Thank you Dina...I don't think you've entirely missed your calling...because I would think that with your natural talent, you could certainly do make-up and hair in your spare time! (you know...if the perfect wife/mother/graphic artist thing doesn't work out?) Dina is the kind of woman who truly inspires the women around her to look and feel their best...she both amazing and glamorous. (and who can kick up her heel like a pro...while I wobble and try not to fall over...although, you can see my tattoo...so there is that.)

Dina had a flawless vision for smoky eyes and dewy skin (with practically no pores because she used a wonderful make-up primer...which I'm now going to have to invest in asap...seriously? No. Pores. None. I felt like a teenager) In the end, it was somewhat like finding myself switched with a fairy princess (or we all decided Gidget) while posing for pictures before I whisked myself off to the ball.

I was loving the minimalist black and white with a small splash of red...you know, most photographers take themselves quite seriously dressing in black, so I thought I'd support that whole serious art scene...

I was off to the gallery early in my Honey Pumpkin Coach, to arrive before the opening...Rich and his BFF Tom were already there. Tom flew in from Florida for the opening, and I've heard so many wonderful stories about him and what a good friend he has been to Rich so, it was great to finally meet him in person! He was a day late because of the airlines, and was only able to stay until Sunday, so it was unfortunately a short trip...but I think we wowed him with all that is AZ...so, he'll be back (I hope...he's a really great guy!)

This was the wall of Rich's photography before the show. It about took my breath away when I first saw all the photos matted framed and hung together...the blues and greens are so very vibrant...and it made me think that I may need to dedicate an entire wall to Charpentier originals at Foolsewoode. By the time the show was over, there were lots of open spaces where the prints had flown off the wall and into their new owners hands...not to mention all the special orders that were placed for bigger limited edition prints. Ian and Rich certainly have their work cut out for them in the days that come...and Rich is going to have to decide on some more limited edition prints to run because Ian is wanting more large prints for the wall at the gallery as well...

I can hardly express how proud I am of Rich and his amazing success...Because of the kind of person I've come to know Rich is, I never doubted for one single minute that he could do something this incredible. I am so excited to see people sit up and take notice of his personal vision. Taking photos professionally has been a dream of Rich's for a long time, and I knew he would find a way to make this dream come true. Seeing the happy and amazed faces on the people that have walked into the gallery...as well, as Rich's natural excitement and passion for his photography shine through in the conversations and interactions he has with people who want to talk to him about his art...well, I just can't help but smile. Observing how Rich interacted on Saturday night proves to me that Rich could be both successful and comfortable in any kind of gallery setting...he loves to talk to people (as do I) and it's so fun to see him this happy. I think this is only the beginning for him in this particular arena of his life, and I am so honored to have been a part of it. Thank you for including me Rich (just in case you're reading this) and Congratulations! I just can't wait to see what's next in this part of the journey.

I think Ian was doing well during this one year anniversary celebration as well...I saw several blank spaces throughout the evening all over the gallery as well. Ian unveiled a Howard Stern series that he's been working on that just blew me away! I've known Ian since high school, and have eagerly watched his progress as a talented artist for years. As a matter of fact, years ago, my mother bought several of his pieces (I have yet to own one, but I think I shall remedy that soon) It also seemed like every time Ian walked by me he said, "...it's going really well" So...there was that tip off as well.

It was a wonderful evening, with a great turn out of old and new friends...

And, I totally got home before anything turned into a pumpkin...You see, I had to get up bright and early Sunday morning to go to Sedona and Jerome with Rich and Tom for Tom's last day in AZ send off...