A day on Main Street U.S.A.

Yesterday my friend Denise from Wild Thread Studio and I went over to Beacon N.Y. where the Main Street is peppered with antique shops, bistros and art galleries. It's the quintessential 'Main Street U.S.A.' with it's brick facades and storefront windows reminiscent of the 40's and 50's.

I remember as a small child the excitement of taking my very own little passbook to the bank to deposit my 25 cents (literally). The immense building with its towering windows, marble floors, brass cages and sparkling chandeliers was a testament to wealth and incredibly magical to the little girl that was me. There is still one of those banks on Main Street in Beacon and it brought back those memories of the grandeur of banking in those days.

Back to the present....

We walked from gallery to gallery viewing a wide array of art work from gelatin prints to paper assemblages and fiber arts. One of the most impressive was the work of Linda Cross, "Reflections on the River" being shown at the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries. We both came away so excited about her work and I wanted to share some photos with you. I didn't see this particular show featured online but there is a link to the Carrie Haddad Gallery which has some very good pictures of Linda Cross's work. Of course you really need to see her work in person to see the immensity and beauty of the colors but it will give you some idea.

One gallery was devoted entirely to Bannermans Island and Castle which I have written about before and it is a true love of mine. There were paintings and photographs, tiles and books about Bannerman's... even a Bannermans gingerbread house!

At yet another gallery Denise caught the ear of the owner and eagerly told her all about me and my work ... bless her little heart. I left my card there and I see that she (the owner) has been very busily perusing my website ever since. Hmmm... possiblities. Thank you Denise! :o)

Off to the local Irish Tea Room for Chai tea and scones (I had hot chocolate) and then to the antique shops at the other end of Main Street. Ohhhh... I got some treasures! Would you believe I bought the side of a cash register? Not the register... just one side.. and it perfectly matches my cash register from Ketcham's Store that I got last fall. That, and some gorgeous old pocket watch parts and some hardware. What a great little shop and terrific prices too. There was the most beautiful card file cabinet there and if Denise and I could have carried it on our backs it would have gone home with us. Unfortunately being solid oak it would take 4 men to get it out and into a truck. Where are those 4 strong men when you need them??? I'm still thinking about it though... just thinking... and thinking...gosh it was beautiful!

All in all a great day with a good friend and a sure cure for cabin fever.


Best...

Canace