Earthquake in New Zealand

I've been getting a lot of calls and emails regarding the tragic earthquake in New Zealand.    I leave for NZ in less than a week - and as I haven't posted here in a while many friends and clients thought I was already in New Zealand.  Thanks for the concern - but I'm still in the U.S.

The earthquake hit Christchurch, the largest city in New Zealand's South Island.  New Zealand's small population of four million means that everyone knows someone impacted by the tragedy.  I don't have immediate family in the Christchurch area and hope that Kiwi friends and family are safe.

On a lighter note, I"m returning from the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston, South Carolina.  The show was almost back to pre-recession 'normal' with large crowds and brisk sales.  I am represented by The Horton-Hayes Gallery on State Street in downtown Charleston and they report the sales there are also steady.

I am leaving for New Zealand in less than a week to do reconnaissance for an upcoming painting holiday in New Zealand in 2012.  For more information on this and other New Zealand workshops, you can visit our Paint New Zealand blog.

If all goes according to plans, I'll be putting my house on the market in May.  Once it has sold, I'll be returning to New Zealand to live most of the year but will continue to supply my eight galleries and will still do some of the larger shows.