\The Smithsonian Show! Fabulous show, fabulous space. The show from up high. My booth, see it? Just left of center.

A closer view. I love this overhead shot, so cool!

As you’d see it from the aisle, just before we opened for the big Gala party.

And the Honorary Chair? None other than Martha Stewart. She was ushered around, stopping by each artist’s booth. Here she is with the fabulous basket artist and MacArthur award winner, Mary Jackson.

And here with Cliff C Lee, with his gorgeous porcelain pieces. For more, visit Martha’s blog.

Alas, no pictures of Martha’s stop at my booth. We shook hands and had a quick conversation. I said, “These are all from vintage kimono silk”.  “Ah” she said, “I have a collection of kimonos too, in my attic”.
So, instead of Martha and me, a picture of me with the wonderful Elisabeth. We worked like crazy through the whole show. So much fun! It was a four and a half day party.

So many people stopped by. Old friends and new, and Blue too, a regular at the shows. He and his mistress came by to to see what I’ve been up to.

Whew! What a wonderful Show! We had a such great time!

And before our plane left, we had just enough time for a walk. Yes, in the rain, that’s my umbrella obscuring the view of the capital.

And a visit to the Freer Museum. A jewel box of a museum with an amazing collection of Asian art.

Also, work of one of my favorite artists, James McNeill Whistler. Here, his amazing Peacock Room. In the Museum. The entire room.

And these amazing Japanese Guardian Sculptures. This one with his mouth open, making the sound “Ohhh”. He keeps the bad spirits away.

And the other, with his mouth shut, ‘Mmmmm’, keeping the good spirits in. Together “Ohh” and “Mmm” form the universal sound, “Om”, signifying all things.
I love that these frightening sculptures are keeping the good in and the bad out.

The good in and the bad out, that would be where I live. Here, the beautiful Columbia River as we glide into Portland. Lovely, rainy, green Portland.