Recap: Richmond, Virginia.

So last week I traveled to Richmond, VA to take part in the Southern Graphics Council conference-the largest gathering of printmakers in the country. This was my third SGC and since the funds were low, I stayed with some old friends of mine who moved down from Chicago about a year ago to start their own mobile printshop. Being on the outskirts of the downtown gave me a better picture of the city and allowed me to soak in more of the Richmond flavor, thanks to their generous bike tours and eatery recommendations. (thanks Andrea and Kevin!). It was a damn good trip. Here are some pictures to prove it:

Crossing the state line looks like this out the window...

Soaking in the sunshine in the backyard.
Richmond is very bike friendly which made me a happy girl.
The houses are unique. Richmond-ites also apparently love the color red.
The trees were a'bloom everywhere.
We rode around until we found a hill and a good view of the river.
Then we found a bamboo patch! It seems the wind had carried bamboo seeds up from the Japanese gardens down the hill.
Bamboo is beautiful. Especially up close.
Then Travis tried to climb the bamboo.
Then we found the bridge that takes you over the railroad tracks. The light was amazing there.
Found it! The James River.
I love being outside, especially when I can stand on a rock in the middle of a stream.
My affection for all things dirt continues.
I fell in love with this bag caught in branches underwater.It was vaguely reminiscent of a jellyfish.
I love this photograph.
We walked further upstream to Texas Beach, and as we rounded the bend we stumbled upon a man made fort!
And the remnants of a late night fire...
The river had sculpted beautiful circles into the rocks along its shores.
Then we biked back to the house and I took photos of the light in their apartment while everyone else slept. I'm calling these my 'faux, impromptu' still lives.



And then the night life/conference began:



















In a nutshell...
-girls at the SCAD rendezvous/reunion in Richmond
-the best pizza ever with Andrea & Kevin (our splendid hosts)
-my opening at Artspace Gallery
-Gallery 5's Repressed III opening (Travis and Kevin's work included)
-drinks at Bamboo Cafe with old and new friends. very awesome.
-Open portfolio at Landmark Theatre.
-Last night in Richmond: drinking at an English pub with a marvelous patio where I got to see my SCAD printshop partners in crime, Miss Lee and Miss Jenkins.

Now that was exhausting. Thanks Richmond for being a wonderful city to visit.