A Thursday in Asheville

It was the Cabin Fever dance weekend in Maryville, TN, this past weekend, and I drove east early to visit one of my favorite towns. It had been a crazy enough week that I had been having dinner in my car between meetings, so the evening I arrived I went to my favorite tapas place for a lovely salad, a couple of small pork rolls, and a flan. I had thought I was too tired to sketch, but the flan was so pretty I couldn't resist.

I enjoyed walking around town and hitting the book stores and my favorite brocante, the Downtown Market. It's an indoor flea/antique market with several lovely clothing vendors. I found two cashmere sweaters, real silk pajama pants, and  red velvet coat that makes me feel like a movie star. I also sketched my favorite trees there while I was wandering around.

Dinner on Thursday was at a newish place with the alluring name Nightbell. A sweet little upstairs place with small plates and cosy corner sofas. The duck confit on a waffle was just lovely, as was the baked Alaska, my first time to ever try it. I did this sketch largely in the dark. Very dim lighting, but I was charmed by the brocade sofa next to me and had to try.

I spent the rest of the weekend at a house party at my sisters. Nine of us total in the house, and I was way too busy dancing and playing a few tunes to sketch.

For purely self indulgent reasons, I'm going to include this photo from the weekend, taken by Lanny Huddleston. This is my favorite way to find joy when I'm not making art, and Charlie Zisette, with his marvelous dips, made me feel just lovely this weekend. Sometimes it's good for me to move away from the micro movements of carving prints and move my whole body instead. This is the very best way I know how to do that.