Dreamspace Studio

This morning began like the others: a little work, a little coffee, a little leftovers for breakfast (my choice, not because there weren’t other things to eat. It’s a preference. I don’t like to waste food, whether I dine out or at home.

After work and morning activities, my cousin, my mom, and I embarked on a dune tour not too far from where we were staying. We were introduced to the majestic dunes, the serene water surrounding us, the charming shacks, the lush vegetation, and the fascinating wildlife. Our guide was excellent, knowledgeable, and funny. It was a beautiful day and a great afternoon for some sightseeing.

Tonight we’re headed to a museum and art gallery. I’ve heard that Fridays transform into something called an art walk. The galleries and the art museum are open later into the evening than usual. I’m eager to experience this unique event.

After which, we’ll head back to my cousin’s house and have dinner (which will be great. Home-cooked meals are always a winner for me. (I’ve never dined out so much in my life, to be honest.) I’m thrilled. Honestly, a night in would be great. My chronic pain has NOT liked the extra activity, no matter how much I’ve mentally enjoyed it.

We only have a couple of days left. I plan on making the most of every second of fun and family that I haven’t seen in far too long.

Update: Yes, we did visit the Provincetown Art Association Museum (PAAM)at about 5 to see some amazing block prints, as well as a large display of Blanche Lazelle’s work. To paraphrase the description on the PAAM website:

Blanche Lazzell visited Cape Cod in 1915 after studying at the Academie Moderne in Paris. She became a frequent visitor for the next 40 years. She learned from Charles Hawthorne and Hans Hofmann. She exhibited her work at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum from 1916 to 1964. Lazzell was known for her American white-line woodcut technique, also known as the Provincetown Print. Interest in this method has revived, with two exhibitions of her work held in 2002 at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Provincetown Art Association and Museum.

If you get a chance to visit, don’t miss the silent auction rooms. They are brimming with hundreds of artworks made by local artists, each measuring 12” x 12”. There are signs with a QR code that you can scan with your phone. You can bid on each piece in this auction, where all proceeds benefit PAAM. Let me tell you, there is some incredible work in those rooms! I love how the community’s artists support this fantastic institution.

After visiting the museum, we continued our walk back, stopping at individual galleries and studios along the street for a few blocks. Amazing.

I can’t tell you how great this trip has been. Throughout my time here, I’ve found myself thinking about ‘The Lakes’ by Taylor Swift, a song that resonates deeply with me and captures the essence of this place.

“…I want auroras and sad prose
I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet
’Cause I haven’t moved in years…

…Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die
I don’t belong, and my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I’m setting off, but not without my muse
No, not without you…”

~Taylor Swift, 2020

The longing for peace, the romanticism of a classic location, and the artistic energy. Emotionally, for me, the vibes of these two things: this song and Provincetown are the same. They both evoke a sense of tranquility and inspiration, which is everything I’ve been seeking. For my own peace. A place of birth and creation, of art. To sit staring at the waves lapping the seashore, watching the boats come in as words flow through my heart into my hands and onto the page.

However, I may have to sell a few more articles and books to fund future trips (or a move) like this one — just a few. But it’s a small price to pay for such enriching experiences. 

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