It Snuck Up On Me! My Opening is Friday, Sept. 28, from 5-7pm.

"River Farms," Oil, 2012

 

Dear Imaginary Friends,

After planning and preparing for two long years, toiling away, starving in my garret, my collection of 50, yes, fifty, horticultural paintings is finally ready to explode upon the scene. Well, I hope they do not actually explode. The above painting is one such creation. I worked on it for many months, starting in March through early August this year.

This is a front and side view of the original mansion on its gorgeous site on the Potomac River. River Farms was once a working farm of George Washington's, but is now home to the illustrious American Horticultural Society, a highly important non-profit.

The Alexandria area is of course, closely associated with George Washington's properties, dating  back to when he was our very first president.  The location is on East Boulevard, not too far from Mount Vernon, his main domicile.

The show will be up through early January 2013. SO no excuses as to why you cannot check it out, unless

a) you live more than 1,000 miles away

b) you are in a body cast in full traction

c) you are a baby and have no vehicle.

Starving in my artist's garret actually worked out well, as I needed to lose ten pounds. The glass is half full!

Hoping to see you there!

Your Imaginary Artist Friend,

Patsie

Oh Say, Can You See?

Peeking at the White House from the W Hotel Bar

What hotel in Washington, DC, has both fabulous food and two rooftop bars with views of the White House,  Washington Monument, and the true essence of the federal scene?

The W Hotel on 15th Street, NW.

I had a revelationary experience at J and G Steakhouse, dining on their pre-theater menu.

My Future

Umm, is that the one on the left or the right, honey?

Garfield Teaches Parker to Drive

PROBABLY NOT THE WISEST CHOICE OF DRIVING INSTRUCTORS!!

Uh oh, Garfield. I think I just rolled over a cat food can.

Update!!!

Dear Cute Imaginary Girls and Boys,

I just spent a hot day, cowering inside escaping the 100 degree heat. What did I do? Updated my website, so please check it out!

www.patriciauchello.com

Roaches Guarding the Gate

Dear Imaginary Friends,

When I was just a young thing, it never occurred to me to sneak out of my parents' house at night.

Hey, it was dark out there! But more than that, there was an army of mosquitoes ready to bite, not to mention a hoard of roaches underfoot, as well as the flying ones.

Did I mention that flying roaches can be over three inches long? Moreover, roaches like to come out at night. I guess they are shy. Or maybe vampires.

Sometimes when I was on a date, leaving a nightspot late at night, it would seem as if I were walking on potato chips, as the crunch of roaches scurrying about performing their nightly duties, interrupted the purchase of my steps on the dark damp paved sidewalks of my dear beloved New Orleans.

So what are roaches' nightly duties, I hear you asking? Well, to scare all the teenagers into staying in their bedrooms, with covers up to their chins. Very effective, I might add!

Roaches are not particular to New Orleans, at all. There are named gangs of roaches living in New York City, for example. I was lucky enough to sublet an apartment on Fifth Avenue (I Know!) and lo and behold, when I had the misfortune to turn on the lights suddenly at 1 am, the roaches could be seen swarming the sink, the stove, etc. There were impossible to exterminate, because they moved in the walls between apartments, to lull you into a false sense of security. Humph. I showed them: I moved back to New Orleans!

Where roaches are upfront and friendly.

Busted by roaches,

Patsie

Parker Checks His Blackberry for Emails

Have Your People Call My People!

Babies with Blackberries! This brilliant child is 20 months old, and has mastered email and voice mail on his blackberry.