I am back from driving to Hobe Sound, Florida, where I went to paint a Green Monster Mural for a great couple who commissioned me! Combined with a vacation, I made it there in a round-about way...to make for a "Monster Trip"!! I definitely broke in the new wheels! 3975 Miles!! I started from New Bedford with my friend, and we headed to Louisville, KY....via Baltimore to visit with my brother and stop by Camden Yards (photo).
After an overnight in Baltimore it was on to the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum as well
as a profitable trip to the Churchill Downs for the Oaks Day (Day before the Derby), a tour of Makers Mark Distillery and great BBQ! My friend flew back to New B then it was on to Florida for me with a stop in Atlanta to visit with a college friend and his family. It was a short visit, but always time for a trip to the Ballpark...went out to Turner Field - Fun! I think that makes 14 parks now...and still no place like Fenway!!! 
I arrived in Hobe Sound a week after leaving New B. I painted a Monster for a lucky little boy, and then headed to Delray Beach. Another client of mine made an introduction, and I could not resist the opportunity..... to meet Mr. Bucky Dent. I spent a morning with him and Larry, his business manager for his baseball school. I saw the facility and talked business...HERE'S HOPING I will be going back to help them with a project in their facility! How cool would that be!?!?! On to Boca Raton for the weekend to visit with a friend from my days in Italy. Oh, how I miss Italy! 
Then it was time to start heading back north....but not without a few more pit-stops...of course. I was heading out of Boca when I heard on the radio that the Space Shuttle Atlantis was taking off at 2pm. It was 10:30 and I was a few hours away...hmmm - no brainer! Given I toured with Artrain USA for 2 plus years carrying an art collection of 72 artworks on loan to us from NASA's Art Program - I thought it would be pretty cool. VERY COOL!!! Then learned one of my brothers was in Orlando on vacation with his family - 45 min from Cape Canaveral....yes, another pit stop. Stayed the night then hit the road for a 12 hour drive up to Richmond, VA. After a nice visit with my Aunt and Uncle off to DC to have lunch with three more friends from my study abroad program! Did I mention I miss Italy!?!? We caught up then I headed to my last stop before home... NJ to visit with another friend, get some rest and do a laundry before I hit New Bedford! 
I got back Thursday and marvel at how easy it is to stop and smell the roses..... If I allowed myself to do that every time I had the urge...I would probably still be in Baltimore or Louisville!!! (photo: Turner Field)
Back to work! Yesterday I transported an 8' x 24' Green Monster that I painted in NH (in my folk's barn) to Boston Symphony Hall for an Gala Event for the Alzheimer's Association of MA and NH taking place this Thursday!!! SO exciting!!! It will be auctioned off live at the event! I will be attending "Opening Day" the end of the month for the Make-A-Wish wall commission I completed last Fall, and I will be painting a wall at the Holiday Inn in Waltham, as well as a couple of outdoor Monsters including one on the back of a house for a couple in Woburn!!! Fun!!! Can't wait!!
The DieHard Magazine is out! (Scout.com, May 2009 issue) with a three page feature article on my work and New England Dream House of NECN filmed me painting the 37' long Monster I painted in Chatham before I hit the open road. Hoping all of the exposure will help me reach my goal to paint a Monster in EVERY state! I have decided I would like to complete the quest by 2012 - at the latest - as Fenway will celebrate its 100th Birthday in 2012...and wouldn't it be fun for families across the nation to celebrate with them!!!! ....so I ask all of you for your help to spread the word!!!
Hope you are all well....and that you find more states for me to paint in...hee hee hee. Support your local artists! (photo: me and Bucky Dent)
Cheers,
M-C
http://www.mclamarre.com/
508.717.9178
