DECEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

CHRISTMAS CARDS

by Britt Zaist

Every Christmas, I love to decorate our house. And one of the annual decorations is to put out Christmas cards given from other artists to Henry and me over the years. Now some of those artists are no longer here so along with the holiday cheer of their card – comes fond memories of friends gone by.

One of the Christmas cards shown here is by Mike Kleimo. Mike was with our gallery (Galeria Izamal) years go and he always gave Christmas cards cut the same size from 300-pound watercolor paper. Each Christmas he gave us one even after he left the gallery. We have a wonderful collection.

Another good friend was Bob Johnson who was a master of Christmas humor with a Mexican flair. Bob was an excellent artist who could draw or paint anything.

John Fulton (matador and artist who we still represent) sent us this Christmas card from Seville. It reminds us of John and our trips to Spain.

Jason Morgan, another taurine friend sent us his version of Santas´s sleigh being pulled by a bull.

The rest are a few of the cards that I sent out for Christmas. Some were my silkscreen cards and some were my original gesture drawings – all with Christmas additions.

Now, folks send out Christmas cards by email or WhatsApp; but, it´s just not the same.

MERRY CHRISTMAS – HAPPY HOLIDAYS

**MIKE KLEIMO´S 2006 CHRISTMAS CARD / watercolor on 300 lb. paper**

**BOB JOHNSON´S 2007 CHRISTMAS CARD / watercolor on paper**

**JASON MORGAN'S TAURINE CHRISTMAS CARD**

**Original Drawing with Christmas Additions / by Britt Zaist. Christmas 2019**

**“FLOR” silkscreen card with Christmas additions / by Britt Zaist**

**“SYLVESTERS NAP” silkscreen card with Christmas additions 2004 / by Britt Zaist**

**“CLYDE, WAITING FOR SUPPER” silkscreen card with Christmas additions / by Britt Zaist**

**“ELEGANT CAT” silkscreen card with / Christmas additions 2004 / by Britt Zaist**

**FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS DO GO TO ETSY MEXICO**
**ZaistDesigns.etsy.com**
**TO SEE MY “STORE”**

**LIFE DRAWING SESSIONS ARE HELD EACH TUESDAY NIGHT- AT HENRY VERMILLION´S HOME/GALLERY**

LUCERO 43, LA LEJONA, 2DA. SECCIÓN.
FROM 7-9 PM.
NO INSTRUCTION – JUST COME AND DRAW.
$200 PESOS, SNACKS AND DRINKS PROVIDED.
A LONG TRADITION.
**Henry Vermillion Cell / WhatsApp:**
(+52) 415 215 1591 / (+52) 415 115 5888

Please follow Britt on Facebook and Instagram

november 2024 NEWSLETTER

TWO ART SHOWS FOR ONE ARTIST WITHIN A WEEK

by Britt Zaist

My husband, Henry Vermillion is having two separate solo shows within a week. The two posters for those are above. Henry thrives on pressure and I thrive on none! And he is really enjoying doing this.

Here is the story he wrote for the show at El Tupinamba:

The Tupinamba Bar and Restaurant on Zacateros 45 downtown will re-open Friday, November 29 with a with a new concept. Old friends and new are invited to a public reception and cocktail from 5 to 7 pm.

After a successful eight years of Flamenco music, dancing and hearty regional Spanish food, The Tupi will dance to a different and more relaxed drummer: their fine food and new fine art will set the new atmosphere. It´s a challenge for San Miguel: a real art bar. (Live music and dancing will continue at the Rain Dog Lounge upstairs.)

In 1993 or 1994, I donated a piece of artwork for a children’s benefit. There I had the luck to meet the major donor--It was the bullfighter Marcial Herce, who remains a great friend to this day. In the years following, he became a restauranteur; in 2016 he opened “El Tupinamba” downtown. Some artist friends and I have long displayed art for the place (a thing I don’t normally do). Now, after a successful eight years, for the Tupi’s eighth birthday, new lighting and new and colorful art will transform the place for their birthday party.

The second solo show is at the co-op art gallery, Galeria Blue Moon where he is a member. The title “Old & New” tells it all.

You´ll enjoy going to both shows to see the range of his excellent work.

**FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS, DO GO TO ETSY MEXICO**
**TO SEE MY “STORE”**
**ZaistDesigns.etsy.com**

Please follow Britt on Facebook and Instagram

october 2024 NEWSLETTER

**BRITT & HENRY IN POZOS SEPT. 2024 , BRITT IS NOT GOING DOWN INTO THE MINE!**

A LOVELY DAY WITH FRIENDS IN POZOS, MEXICO

by Britt Zaist

We went to Pozos, GTO., Mexico on September 15th with our two good friends and fellow artists: Elvia Samaniego and Ray Leguizamo. It was a wonderful day. We went there because our friend, Julio was opening a new restaurant called 1897 off the Jardin in Pozos. He called us and invited us to come. Going there we saw runners carrying the torch (Grito Celebration) and lots of horses going downtown for the Mexican Independence Day parade crossing the road... some with their dogs...some with little kids riding together on one horse- lovely young women with their flowing holiday dresses covering the horse they road. And happy smiles on all their faces. By the time we got to Pozos it was pouring rain. We found the restaurant and Julio and all his family helpers - especially his really nice Dad...everything was free at their opening -fantastic ribs, sausage, vegetables, tortillas filled with cheese. Everything was perfect and delicious and everything was totally and happily disorganized with the pouring rain. The same 14-year mixed incredible margaritas! To make more room for other guests, we left early with a big bag of rib bones meant for our dogs but given to the street dogs along the way to the Cantina on the square. There it's like stepping into the past with hundreds of real and old timey photos of the revolution and the people in it. We returned to Julio's for the wonderful mariachi group - the best singer we have every heard and their outfits and the professional yet friendly, inviting way they carried themselves was wonderful.

What I also wanted to do was to go to the mineral store in front of a mine you could enter to take a tour. The man there is a marvel telling and showing you what the miners did. It was fun and fascinating especially when he had a young woman climb in a metal "thing" - like a huge metal bucket that moved on rails...he demonstrated by pushing the metal "cart" which spun her all around! - that demonstrated how the miners would put the rock minerals in it and once up out of the mine could easily tip it with the rocks spilling out. What a brave good sport she was! That was the point this old broad chickened out. I was given a helmet and directed to go down into the mine shaft with about 16 other young people. I am 78 and want to make it to 79 and going down wet rocky stones in the dark- no way! I thanked everyone - wished them luck and high-tailed it back to the mineral shop where I got another piece of pyrite and another moonstone bracelet and one of agates for Elvia and happily (& safely) returned to the car for the ride home. We ended the evening with tequila and Magnum ice cream bars with time to go home before the Grito. What a lovely day with friends.

My Argentine friend Segio wrote this back:

"You did well to return!! A soldier who flees is good for another war!!! "

Google Translation:

Lo que realmente quería hacer era ir a la tienda de minerales que había frente a una mina a la que se podía entrar y hacer un recorrido por ella. El hombre es una maravilla, te cuenta y te muestra lo que hacían los mineros. Fue divertido y fascinante, especialmente cuando hizo que una joven se subiera a una "cosa" de metal, como un enorme cubo de metal que se movía sobre raíles... ¡Él lo demostró empujando el "carrito" de metal que la hacía girar por todos lados! - eso demostró cómo los mineros colocaban los minerales de roca en él y una vez que salían de la mina podían volcarlo fácilmente y hacer que las rocas se desparramaran. ¡Qué valiente y buena deportista era! Ese fue el punto en el que esta vieja se acobardó. Me dieron un casco y me indicaron que bajara al pozo de la mina con otros 16 jóvenes. Tengo 78 años y quiero llegar a los 79 y bajar por piedras rocosas mojadas en la oscuridad, ¡de ninguna manera! Les agradecí a todos, les deseé suerte y volví a toda prisa a la tienda de minerales, donde compré otra pieza de pirita, otra pulsera de piedra lunar y una de ágatas para Elvia y felizmente (y a salvo) regresé al auto para regresar a casa. Terminamos la noche con tequila y barras de helado Magnum con tiempo para volver a casa antes del Grito. Qué hermoso día con amigos.

Mi amigo argentino Sergio me respondió: "¡Hiciste bien en volver! ¡Un soldado que huye sirve para otra guerra!"

**Henry driving and Ray Leguizamo going to Pozos with the horses crossing the highway**

**Horses and folks going to give a parade for the Grito Mexican Indepedence Day, 9 / 2024 on our way to Pozos**

**Mariachi at the 1897 Restaurant in Pozos 9 / 15 /2024**

**Pyrite Fools Gold. I have a piece from each time we go to Pozos.Technically this is iron sulfide and a small piece makes an incredible and beautiful paperweight.**

**“A BAGGED GOOFY DOG NAMED MITZI” Ink gesture drawing by Britt Zaist**

CHRISTMAS IS COMING UP!

PLEASE GO TO ETSY MEXICO

ZaistDesigns.etsy.com

TO SEE MY “STORE”

view Artists' Studio and Gallery Visits

Please follow Britt on Facebook and Instagram

september 2024 NEWSLETTER

PACO´S PETS

by Britt Zaist

"Paco's Lee" 11" x 8.5" on Opalina Paper is an ink gesture drawing commission of an adorable black Pomeranian (dog) named "Lee" who now is with Paco Cardenas. This little guy was my first Pomeranian. At first it was like drawing a piece of fur! But once I got past that and tried to figure out what was under the fur- it worked. Paco (with Norma at El Petit Four) https://www.instagram.com/elpetitfour_sma and me (with Galeria Izamal) moved onto Mesones about the same time. Then he had “Diana”, a sweet Weimaraner. He gave me photos of her as a puppy in adorable poses. One of those puppy drawings later graced a SPA (Sociedad Protectora de Animales) tee shirt with my permission. He chose 4 drawings (2 puppy poses and 2 adult poses) and he traded delicious pastries for them. In those days, when he was just starting - that was a lot of sweets. Now I am on a diet having lost 33 pounds and just want cold cash! But it's been a nice friendship with each of us remembering "the old days" on Mesones where we got started.

Below are the 4 framed drawings I did of "Diana" long ago. I rarely meet the animals I draw (which in the case of the over 1000 lb. bull, "Sangra Brava" that I am known for --- it is just as well. But it´s nice to keep their memories alive - not just in the heart but also to the eye and for others to learn about that special one.

To warm up, I drew one drawing of Paco and “Lee” together---they both are far more handsome than I drew them...but I couldn´t toss the drawing - it made me happy to look at it-so I gave him that as well.

I am back to taking commissions but am behind some...but interested in doing them again. Each animal comes with "their" story...and it´s wonderful to hear. Please see how to commission a PET PORTRAIT.

**FOUR FRAMED INK GESTURE DRAWINGS OF PACO´S DIANA**

**“LEE PROFILE, STANDING” ink gesture drawing / by Britt Zaist**

**“PACO AND LEE” ink gesture drawing by Britt Zaist**

**“POLA AND LEE .2”. ink gesture drawing by Britt Zaist**

**“LEE HEAD TILTED UP” ink gesture drawing by Britt Zaist**

**BRITT & PACO happy with the artwork.**

PLEASE GO TO ETSY MEXICO:

ZaistDesigns.etsy.com

TO SEE MY “STORE”

**OPEN LIFE DRAWING SESSIONS ARE HELD EACH TUESDAY NIGHT- AT HENRY VERMILLION´S HOME/GALLERY**

LUCERO 43, LA LEJONA, 2DA. SECCIÓN.
FROM 7-9 PM.
NO INSTRUCTION – JUST COME AND DRAW.
$200 PESOS, SNACKS AND DRINKS PROVIDED.
A LONG TRADITION.
**Henry Vermillion. Cell /WhatsApp:**
(+52) 415 215 1591 / (+52) 415 115 5888

Please follow Britt on Facebook and Instagram

august 2024 NEWSLETTER

BACK TO WORK AGAIN – FINALLY

by Britt Zaist

Henry and I had our Open House this April to get the ball rolling for our Artists´ Studio & Gallery Visits. It was fun with a good turnout for folks to come and see our wonderful gallery/home with over 350 paintings. Several people came to the Open House not to see existing work but to see if I would do new work. They weren´t sure if I was still doing pet portraits – actually they weren´t sure if I were still alive. Really. Their timing was good but I was reluctant to climb on the bicycle to see if I could still ride it. Street dogs and Netflix took precedents over artwork.

The nudge that finally got me back in the studio was from a nephew I don´t remember meeting. He wanted drawings of his friend´s Golden Retriever, “Lucy” who had died. He wanted to surprise his friend for her birthday with a gift he knew she would love. That was two months ago while the two-pet portrait commissions I had accepted at the Open House remained undone in my studio. He was persistent and finally I gave in and climbed out of retirement. I am glad I did. It seems once you ride a bike, you don´t forget how to do it. And it also got me acquainted with my nephew who seems like a nice guy I would enjoy meeting.

As I retain the rights to all my drawings, I don´t need the original work – just a high-resolution scan of each piece to put my work on different “stuff” (i.e. mugs, bags, tee shirts, canvas, paper) in my “store” at Etsy. And because I have dragged my feet so long with a number of other clients, I will give all the drawings I do for them for the price of one drawing. I need the practice and not more work to show at our gallery/home.

Here are the drawings of “Lucy” who seems a gentle, sweet dog and that´s how I tried to portray her.

**“LUCY IN THE CAR” 11 x 8.5 in. / Ink gesture drawing by Britt Zaist**

**“HAPPY LUCY READY TO PLAY” 11 x 8.5 in. / Ink Gesture Drawing by Britt Zaist**

**“LUCY´S TAIL” 11 x 8.5 in. / Ink gesture drawing by Britt Zaist**

**“LUCY LOOKING UP” 11 x 8.5 in. / Ink Gesture Drawing by Britt Zaist**

**“LUCY WAITING OUT THE RAIN IN THE CAR #3.” 11 X 8.5 in. / Ink Gesture Drawing by Britt Zaist**

**“LUCY ON HER LEASH” 11 x 8.5 in. / Ink Gesture Drawing by Britt Zaist**

PLEASE GO TO ETSY MEXICO:

ZaistDesigns.etsy.com

TO SEE MY “STORE”

JUly 2024 NEWSLETTER

**“SCOOTER IN THE LAUNDRY BASKET” Ink gesture drawing commission by Britt Zaist**

SCOOTER & MOONPIE

by Britt Zaist

(Edited by Dr. David Fialkoff who publishes Lokkal Internet SMA: www.lokkal.com. Dr. Dave thinks I can write some but he also thinks that I should take more time doing it. My response to him was the beginning to the following reworked story… that he reworked some more!)

"I am an artist, a "drawer." Writing is a big stretch for me. Like my visual art, my writing is quick, and remains "unfinished." That might work better for visual art than it does for writing.

I just lifted six file boxes (no small task when you are old) of my commissioned drawings and subject matter since the beginning, and sorted through them (no small task at any age) to find this commission.

I found two commissions from the same owner, Dan, with notes from him that these are Singaporean cats. He specified that "MoonPie" was one word.

I have reworked it all in the tale below. I have taken time from other pet portrait commissions that I need to do, but this writing will be of interest... at least to pet owners... at least I hope so."

When I began doing my ink gesture drawings, there was no Internet to look up the breed of the animal nor emails for clients to send photo attachments of their pets that you could enlarge, darken or whatever you needed to do to get all of the details.

Back then it was snail mail with their precious photos inside, photos that I promised to guard with my life and to return upon completion of the work. This was especially important when they sent me photos of their pets that were no longer with them.

I found this out then, when I asked a client for a better photo of his dark dog taken at night on a dark sofa. He told me he had no more, as his pet had sadly died shortly after he got him, but had been with him long enough to be loved.

I never get as many commissions for cats as I do dogs. Not sure why. But this commission was of two unusual cats, and came with at least 20 glossy photos of each cat. The owner, Dan, described the breed as "Singaporean Cat, many of which have no tails."

**“SCOOTER” ink gesture drawing commission by Britt Zaist**

Dan wanted to be sure that I realized these particular Singaporean cats were unique to the breed as Scooter had a little short stump of a tail and MoonPie had a long "crank-shaft-like" one.

I always draw at least six drawings of each pet. After Dan chose his favorites, I put a disclaimer on the leftover drawings that I sold in the gallery, fearing that people would think that I forgot to draw Scooter's tail or had made MoonPie's too crooked.

**“MOONPIE WALKING AWAY” ink gesture drawing commission by Britt Zaist**

Please contribute to Lokkal,
SMA'S online collective: Lokkal Internet SMA www.lokkal.com

I am sure Dr. Dave could improve your writing, too!

Please go to Etsy Mexico: ZaistDesigns.etsy.com to see my "store".

Holli Dale www.hollidale.com is helping me set up a store there. The dropshipper is Printful and can make and deliver my "stuff" in the USA. Because I don't want to stock inventory and I want to use my 40 years of pet portrait commissions (plus other ink gesture drawings of dancers, flamenco, nudes, taurine subject matter, etc.) this is my best bet. So far, I only have 3 products available with my designs: t-shirts, mugs, museum wrapped canvas. But there are more to come. I am open to requests. This is a whole new world to venture into--- amazing to see how magically my designs are put on handsome people and objects.

OPEN LIFE DRAWING SESSIONS

OPEN LIFE DRAWING SESSIONS are held each Tuesday night- at Henry Vermillion´s home/gallery

Lucero 43, La Lejona, 2da. Sección. from 7-9 pm.

No instruction – just come and draw.

$200 Pesos, snacks and drinks provided.

A long tradition.

Henry Vermillion Cell / WhatsApp: (+52) 415 215 1591 / (+52) 415 115 5888

VIEW ARTISTS' STUDIO & GALLERY VISITS

Please follow Britt on Facebook and Instagram:

JUNE 2024 NEWSLETTER

**“SANDY, OLD POOCH OF MARILYN” Ink gesture drawing. / Pet portrait commission by Britt Zaist**

OLD DOGS ARE THE BEST DOGS

I have been doing pet portraits for over 35 years and there is something so touching about drawing an old dog. It´s like drawing an old "us". They look different-not so spry, bent over and slow. I know because I am there, too.

Our first dog here in Mexico was Emma. A street dog, she came into our gallery, Galeria Izamal in the Meson de San Jose and went into labor! First time (and only time in our 29 years) that we closed the gallery during our usual working hours. Emma remained her “own” dog for the 18 years we had her. Her last year, she was so thin, so unsteady and so forgetful. We slept with our bedroom door open to the patio so she would be able to go out there quickly when she needed to – but she couldn´t remember any more and would wander thru the house never making it in time to go out. When the time finally came, Emma, Henry and I took our last walk together to the vets where we held her as she went calmly to sleep.

There is a wonderful book called OLD DOGS ARE THE BEST DOGS by Gene Weingarten with photographs by Michael S. Williamson. See the 2 photographs attached. One excerpt from that is: "JAKE, 16". "As you can see, Jake eventually grew into his feet. You are looking at the faces-young and old-of a gentle, docile dog who is great with children. And that´s a good thing, because 12 grandchildren come to visit Jake, and he lives half a block from an elementary school. That´s a lot of little noses to lick: Jake tries for every one. Dogs don´t understand photographs, so Jake probably isn´t engaged in any sort of bittersweet reverie here. He´s not being taunted by this image of his younger self. He isn´t wistfully contemplating the heartless assault of time. You are."

I love drawing old dogs and I love hearing stories about them from the people who loved them.

**“JAKE” from 'OLD DOGS ARE THE BEST DOGS'**

**“PATIENT EMMA” 1992 / Ink gesture drawing / by Britt Zaist**

**“EMMA 17 YEARS” Ink on paper / by Henry Vermillion**

**“NOBLE AT THE MESON DE SAN JOSE” Ink gesture drawing / by Britt Zaist**

**“FINLEY 10 YEAR OLD ENGLISH YELLOW LAB” / Ink gesture drawing / by Britt Zaist**

**“OLD HATTIE IN HER WING CHAIR.” Ink gesture drawing / Pet portrait commission by Britt Zaist**

Open life drawing sessions are held each Tuesday night- at Henry Vermillion´s home/gallery

Lucero 43, La Lejona, 2da. Sección.

7 pm - 9 pm

No instruction – just come and draw.

$200 Pesos, snacks and drinks provided.

A long tradition.

Henry Vermillion Cell / WhatsApp: (+52) 415 215 1591 / (+52) 415 115 5888

Please follow Britt on Facebook and InstagraM

MAY 2024 NEWSLETTER

**”PUENTES” 23.5 X 15.5 inches permanent ink, inked wax paper / Collage on canvas. Museum wrapped. / $300 USD. / by Britt Zaist**

**”PUENTES” DETAIL / 23.5 X 15.5 inches / permanent ink, inked wax paper / Collage on canvas. Museum wrapped. / $300 USD. / by Britt Zaist**

WELCOME TO THE 21ST

by Britt Zaist

Henry (Vermillion, my husband and fellow artist) and I are working with a lovely young woman, Holli Dale www.hollidale.com trying to get in the 21st Century of social media marketing…and it ain´t easy for two dinosaurs from gallery one-on-one/walk-in days. To me a platform – was something you stood on…branding was something you did to cattle and a domain was something a king had. Forget the rest of the “new” words.

Holli is valiantly trying to explain this all to us while making videos (I had no idea how awful I looked nor how erratic my movements are. Age has not been kind---and videos are crueler still). Besides doing the videos, we have to supply her with images and stories for the posts she´s making to Instagram and Facebook (the latter I am learning to hate as every time I think I understand it – it changes). And doing this and finding time to do art work is getting tougher. “In my day” things were simpler: client walked in, you told them about your work, they bought it. End of story.

However – this is now and that was then.

**“Cardinal, Klotzman´s Red Simbrah Bull. “ Pet Portrait Commission. / Ink gesture drawing by Britt Zaist**

**Cardinal, Klotzman´s Red Simbrah Bull.**

ARTISTS’ STUDIO AND GALLERY VISITS

Please follow Britt on Facebook and Instagram:

APRIL 2024 NEWSLETTER

OPEN STUDIOS & GALLERY

HENRY VERMILLION & BRITT ZAIST

https://www.henryvermillion.com/artists-studio-and-gallery-visits

INFO: CELL/WHATSAPP: 415 115 5888

EMAIL: brittzaist@yahoo.com

**‘WIND FLYER’. ink on canvas / 12x24 in.**

**‘SPIRIT WALK’ permanent ink on tree free paper / 18x21 in.**

**‘OCEAN NET’ acrylic on canvas / 30x30 cm.**

**‘FARRUCO’. After Miguel Alcala. ink gesture drawing / 37x31.5 in.**

**‘ I'M READY WHEN YOU ARE. JACKSON, 104 LB. YELLOW LAB’ ink gesture drawing**

**‘AURORA VARGAS’ After Miguel Alcala. ink gesture drawing / 37x31.5 in.**

**‘PALERMO’. Oil 24x32 in. by Henry Vermillion**

**‘NEAR SMA,MEXICO’ pastel by Henry Vermillion. Sold.**

**‘AT HANKS’ oil on canvas 38x54 in. by Henry Vermillion**

MARCH 2024 NEWSLETTER

BRITT ZAIST´S BIRTHDAY CALENDAR

BY BRITT ZAIST

This is an events calendar with illustrations by Britt Zaist of her pet portrait clients. The Birthday Calendar concept originated in Holland. The Birthday Calendar was placed in the bathroom next to the roll of toilet paper - the idea was that everyone had time in there to read the important dates. Generally, now they are placed next to an annual calendar so you don't have to mark that up each year. The nicest part is that they can be handed down as an heirloom.

This is the connection with the drawing above of Tessa. I had completed my Birthday Calendar and decided to make Mosa - another one of the Bouvier des Flandres dogs of the same owner as Tessa - be "January" in the calendar. Making the selection from all the portraits I had done up to that time was difficult. Each dog or cat (or horse, rat, warthog or...) had a story. Owners are remarkable for their stories about their animals. Often, I would be asked to do one of their favorites that had died. Many years ago, I received commissions by the old-fashioned mail service. There would be envelopes filled with photos and letters describing their pet. One photo I couldn´t work from because it wasn´t clear: a dark dog on a dark surface - at night ---is hard to do. But when I wrote for more - the owner said his dog had died and he had no more photos. Ok-it´s a pedigree - whip out your sources and do the drawing to keep the memory alive.

Let me get back to Mosa and Tessa, the Bouviers. Their owner was delighted about Mosa making the cut and bought six calendars. But not so much for the portrait that she already had from the commission; but rather because she was making a gift of the calendars to each of her six children with the month and date of her birthday written large and in red pen inside. She said maybe this time they will remember!
These calendars never sold well although I thought the idea was terrific. I think people didn´t understand the idea of a calendar that was not annual. I have one that I´ve used for the 15+ years since I did them. Now it´s all marked up, sitting next to the annual calendar that remains pristine. Each time I turn the pages of my birthday calendar, I remember someone. It´s a reminder to send a birthday card, to remember my sticky divorce, the date my parents were born and died, an assassination of Henry´s first big-time client (that´s a story in itself - he finally gets a good client and they shoot him!).

Anyway, going back to doing art, I found I have 6 left which I will keep for special gifts. Mine- I have no one to pass it on to so I will continue to add to it until I can´t.

**‘TUG OF WAR’ Zoey and Tessa. Bouvier des Flandres. / Commission ink gesture drawing / 8.5 x 11 in. by Britt Zaist**

JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER

2024 RESOLUTIONS

By Britt Zaist

2024 has a long list of resolutions. This December gave me a rude awakening that my replacement aortic pig valve was turning to bacon. More tests followed that showed it was still hanging in there; but I need to plan accordingly because it won't last forever. I thought it would outlast me. I live in “la la land”- (they know me there) and I seem to nod off when I hear something I don't want to hear. That idea finally got across to me and has necessitated some big changes.

Among them that this "lady of leisure's” hiatus from art work is over.

Another change is working on showing this unique and large house as a wonderful art gallery. And having folks meet us both in our studios to see how we work- and that is very differently from each other. That's probably why we've stayed together over 35 years. Henry is the fine artist driven to draw and paint daily. His studio is vast and filled to the gills with paintings in progress, drawings, art books and dust! Mine looks like I am preparing for surgery. I am the more commercial artist...highly organized, neat - no dust ... and have done no art work for the last couple of years since we closed Galeria Izamal & I essentially retired to caring for our three street dogs and watching Netflix- both guiltfree. Click on this link https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/230824/emails/111081634476852997 for ARTISTS´STUDIO VISITS to get an idea of what we are offering. Visits are by appointment and definitely include a shot of tequila, a tour of our studios, a visit to our home gallery of over 300 pieces of art and an opportunity to purchase our work.

We hope you will come.

- click on images to enlarge -

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