Recent rainbow I came home to after my vacation.
I came home from a recent vacation to the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen. I took it as a sign I needed to take more holidays. I write books, including The Slow Down Book, and truly need to read my own writing!
 The view from the balcony. |  Our living room view. |
The gallery is a 7 day a week job and rarely do I take a vacation. I was
blessed with 3 nights in a beautiful home in Bodega Bay last week and it has
truly affected my spirit.
blessed with 3 nights in a beautiful home in Bodega Bay last week and it has
truly affected my spirit.
Napa Valley Lavender, painted at Bodega Bay
When I opened the Jessel Gallery in 1984 I committed to "the Business of
Art". Before that time I was a Creative Artist keeping my own time and
embracing each day as a Free Spirit. Once I opened the doors to this space,
which at that time was only 300 sq. ft. (now 6500 sq.ft.) it became clear to
me that having a gallery and being a working artist are 2 completely
different focuses and now I had to find a way to keep the art flowing as
well as keep the doors open and cover my overhead.
Art". Before that time I was a Creative Artist keeping my own time and
embracing each day as a Free Spirit. Once I opened the doors to this space,
which at that time was only 300 sq. ft. (now 6500 sq.ft.) it became clear to
me that having a gallery and being a working artist are 2 completely
different focuses and now I had to find a way to keep the art flowing as
well as keep the doors open and cover my overhead.
Through Floods, Earthquakes, 9-11, the Recession, Earthquakes again and
finally Fires I had to keep reinventing the gallery to handle the changes.
At one time the Jessel Gallery supported 8 full time employees. After 9-11
the ceiling fell in and the floor fell out of the business of luxury items,
which art is considered. I have always said that because my price point is
from $10.00 to $10,000.00 we were able to survive the slow and low times
throughout our history.
finally Fires I had to keep reinventing the gallery to handle the changes.
At one time the Jessel Gallery supported 8 full time employees. After 9-11
the ceiling fell in and the floor fell out of the business of luxury items,
which art is considered. I have always said that because my price point is
from $10.00 to $10,000.00 we were able to survive the slow and low times
throughout our history.
Over the last few years the only time off I took were two 6 week periods in which I had my right and then left hip replaced...definitely NOT A VACATION. In fact, after the most recent hip replacement I came in and taught a private class after just 2 weeks of healing!
| Let me get back to the point of my story. My dear friend Francesca (one of the most generous people I know) allowed me to bring 3 friends and stay in her exquisite home by the sea. Our days were spent walking throughout the community up and down hills, going to Point Reyes Station and enjoying great food and fantastic visual stimuli from all the arty stores and sleeping in a room with a fireplace and listening to the sea roar at night. I painted every day, made meals with my Besties and took a long-deserved breath of fresh air. |  My bedroom view!  Joy at breakfast. |
 Birds sharing my croissants from Bovine Bakery in Point Reyes Station. |  The bakery was recently in the news since the lady who worked here years ago opened a bakery in London and is making the upcoming Royal Wedding Cake. |
Now, because of this recent trip I have decided this is going to be my "once a month commitment to my well-being" and to my HeART . Refreshing, renewing, relaxing and rejuvenating are my new Mantra and will certainly infuse my paintings with brilliant light. My lesson will hopefully inspire you to take time to touch each moment with love!
Until next time,
Jessel
Until next time,
Jessel
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