My husband, the Rock Star!

 

It's raining here in Germany so many people are here at the art fair. Jmz work is proving to be quite popular as is he. People have been lining up to meet him and get his autograph. Pictured here are the proud new owners of the golden anniversary MOMA Marilyn.  I love that Jim gives his attention graciously not just to individuals who buy originals and limited editions, but also to those who are just looking and admiring his work. 

Ann

 

Interview

The interview went well and was well received. Jim has signed many autographs today... He has caused quite a stir :-)  we've been here at the art fair for many hours and Jim is still full of energy, amazing!...

Official program, scheduled interview

A nice young woman from Monopol magazine will be conducting an interview of Jim at 4 this afternoon. 

In about half an hour our ride will be here to take us from our flat in Heilbronn to the art show in Karlsruhe.  Jim is going to be interviewed today and in typical Jim Gill fashion he has a calm focused energy.  This is the third day of Art Karlsruhe, it ends Sunday, and things are going well.  We have met some of the gallerie owners where Jim will be shown later in the month, as well as collector's who treasure Jim's works and we're thrilled to find the artist so down to earth and personable. 

Playing on the television in our booth is "Full Circle" a documentary of Jim and his work with German subtitles. The documentary is the work of Jeff Long, a talented CA film maker and a really nice guy. Love his work!  

AnnE.gill

First day at Art Karlsruhe

Chatting with Carlos the first day at Art Karlsruhe. 

The team did a wonderful job setting up the display area :-)  We have met so many nice people and look forward to having many new friends. 

I never understood people who posted their meals and snacks online and thought people were interested.  Now I do. First thing one sees when they walk into the neighborhood grocery store, Penny,  here is a huge variety of chocolate,  the last thing one sees on the way to the checkout line are the wines and liquors. If I maintain my weight while I am here it will be nothing short of a miracle :-)

Seriously though, the lifestyle here, as nearly as I can see is one of balancing work and relaxation. From observing the team at Premium Modern Art I have noticed a high level of industriousness and organization, balanced with time for relaxation and socialization.  That seems to be part of the culture here. 

One of the first things I was struck with was how clean the cities are here.  Granted, the residents of Heilbronn don't have to deal with the challenging aspects of dusty, dry, West TX... but I must admit that I do not miss at all, what what comedian joked was the TX state flag, a Walmart bag in a Mesquite tree. 

Green buds are coming out on several types of trees and bushes here. The Weeping Willows are a pale bright green on its curves boughs and are breathtaking. This has truly been a most satisfying day.  

Tomorrow begins the art fair and we are looking forward to it. The Premium Modern Art team have been setting up and we are eager to see the results of their efforts. We feel honored and privileged to be part of this celebration of beauty and creativity. 

Till later...

annE.gill

To the grocery store and back

Jim and I took a leisurely walk to the grocery store and back. Just prior to reaching the store we happened upon a park with a river running through it that is home to several resident mallards and a swan. Jim rested on a park bench while I went in and got items for supper and meals tomorrow.  The store was much closer than I had made it out to be in my mind. At a VERY leisurely pace it took less than 10 minutes. The weather is unseasonably warm and some flowers are starting to bloom. I have high hopes that the exercising is going to help Jmz knee, we walked a small incline on the way home and our apartment is on the second floor. Jmz being a real sport about the extra exercise and I am happy, happy, happy about that :-)

A quiet day

Wow, I can't believe I am blogging! If my kids could see me now. Oh yeah, they can!  Something that my friends and family know is that I am a bit of a technophobe. As a nontraditional student when I was doing my undergraduate work I actually ran from my first class crying when faced with having to take a required English class in which our work had to be produced on a computer.  When I had left college in the late 1970's we used longhand or a typewriter. Now I find myself embracing technology more than I ever thought I would.  

 

It's very quiet here in our little flat in Heilbronn. We have the day off while the Premium Modern Art team is setting up our space at Art Kultruhle (sp?), an art fair, here in Germany.  Jim is down for a nap having awakened to work on a painting early this morning and into the night last night. It's a beautiful little painting, about one third the usual size of his work. I'll post a picture of it later, perhaps when it is finished.  

There is a grocery store about a 10 minute walk from the flat, but I have yet to venture that far on foot. Both Ted and his father carefully drove by there so I would know the way. Anybody who's ever ridden with me in a car knows that I do not even have a poor sense of direction, I have NO sense of direction! Even at home in San Angelo I frequently get lost, which used to be a frustration for me,  but now I have learned to embrace it as the doorway to unexpected adventure. Jmz knee is not up to a long adventure but he did say he would walk part of the way with me to the grocery store so later I will summon my courage and we will set off for an adventure, or possibly just an uneventful trip to the grocery store :-)  I'll let you know how it goes!

Ann E. Gill

A 2004 Sculpture Finally Receiving Its Signature

So far today has been busy and exciting. Today came the posters and brochures advertising a show featuring Jim's work on March 26th in Stuttgart. Jim finished signing the last 500 COA's, and we received notice of the possibility of a show on the Spanish island of  Majorca in September. Exciting stuff! This nearly feels like a fairy tale.  Now Jim is off in search of some of his sculptures and a few paintings that are in need of his signature (sometimes Jim forgets to sign his work). Guess I'd better catch up with him!

Back to Work!

After a day off he's back at work signing C.O.A (certificates of authenticy) for limited edition serigraph prints. 

The weather is beautiful and unseasonably warm and we have the balcony door ajar for the fresh air as we work. 

At nearly 80 years of age, and working since he was 10, my husband amazes me! 

annEgill

Made it to Germany!

Hi, Ann Gill here.  The flight to Germany was good, I slept most of the way but Jim did not sleep. When we got to Frankfort and then to the headquarters of Premium Modern Art Jim had been up for more than 24 hours, but true to form he went right to work signing limited edition serigraph prints of his work. My husband never ceases to amaze me, he is on his 80th trip around the sun and still manages to summon amazing energy for his work.  He has the most amazing calm energy when he is focused on his work, truly in the best West TX cowboy tradition. Since his horse wreck a few years ago (he was thrown from one of his horses and sustained serious injuries which kept him in the hospital for 2 weeks), he has slowed down but when he is focused on his work he has the energy of someone half his age. I feel so privileged to be part of his life and to be sharing this adventure with him!  

We took a break from numbering and signing to have a lovely traditional German meal. Then back to numbering and signing then off to the framers went several pieces of his work. Ted Bauer, our business partner and friend, has done a wonderful job of organizing this adventure and balances work and rest times so that we can be most productive. In the evening he took us first to the grocery store and then to the flat that they have rented for us for the month. We had supper and then Jim slept soundly until time to get up and finish signing prints but now it was my turn to have trouble sleeping and morning seemed to come too quickly. Yesterday Jim finished signing and numbering over 450 serigraph prints with Ted's help and encouragement. We had a delicious sandwich for lunch in the fresh air and sunshine and several cups of delicious espresso brought to us at just the right times throughout the day. We were done by 6 pm stopped at the store for some essentials such as vanilla ice cream and we're back at the flat for supper and some well deserved rest. Today we have had totally to ourselves and, still feeling some jet lag have used today to rest and regroup. We plan to go for a walk in a little while and I can see that the sun will soon be setting so I best close this email and tear my husband away from his painting where he's taken over the dining room table and get a little fresh air and exercise.