It Was One of Mine!

This week I woke up to see an email from my former student Kirsten who is now visiting Cortona, Italy with her family this week.  See the rest of what she wrote me:

Hi Claire,

Guess what is hanging in the WC at the villa we are renting!  I was coveting this painting and took a closer look, and now I know why :-). I am really missing my painting class now!  We just arrived in Cortona yesterday and will head into town today with the kids.  It's Jack's birthday and we'll load up with food for a feast and art supplies for everyone.  Also, could you please tell me what the music is on your Tuscany web page?   Want to get it!  Thanks much.  Xox Kirsten

I painted this little window painting after being in Cortona with the University of Georgia's Studies Abroad in Art.  These windows were on the old convent where part of our group stayed.  We hand washed our clothes that summer, and these were "intimates" of the gal's room hanging from the window to dry.  Made for a great painting that was later purchased by a lady in St. Paul who happens to own the villa where Kirsten is staying.  This email and pics MADE MY DAY!

This gave me energy and inspiration to get started painting for my upcoming show in October!  You may find more paintings and info on my site!

Thanks, Kirsten!

New Website! Check it out!

I just renovated my site since we have relocated to Chicago my photography and painting business!  I added more photography and a cleaner, fresher look and made it even simpler to navigate.  Whatcha think????

Just click the image to take a look!

(Get ready to tap and snap.. ;)

This Letter Made Me Cry

As you can see, this letter was dated July of 2012.  This was a busy time for our family as we were moving to Chicago and had our house on the market for sale.  For showings, oftentimes the mail got shoved into a drawer to tidy up.  Soon, we moved, and that batch of mail got moved as well.  It wasn't until we moved into our new home that I came across this pile of mail from July (from the other house) that included perhaps the kindest, most touching letter from one of my long-time, beloved students Judy Johnson.  I opened it, and read it and was so incredibly touched to tears.  Also, I felt so bad not knowing about it until 3 months after she had written it and thinking that SHE must have thought that I had just blown it off!  So, I called her a day or so afterwards and thanked her for such a sweet letter so thoughtfully written from the heart.  It is truly one I will keep forever and refer to when I might not be feeling my best.  It's uplifting, to say the least, and I love and miss Judy who painted with me for 7 years in St. Paul and is a long-time teacher at the school my children attended, Saint Paul Academy.  

I love and miss you, Judy!  We will paint together again!

clairekayser.com