I am so excited to be able to blog about this!  I picked up a new client who of all things, needs help finding love!  I'd done a couple of jobs for him in the past and he always joked, "Pick me up a girlfriend too!"  and I'd always say, "Let me put you on the internet".  This last time I said it, he said "OK!".  And so my millionaire matchmaking stint begins!


Some of you may wonder- why can't this guy get his own date?  The answer is:  he can.  He's not finding the right ones though and he works all of the time.  No, he's not the elephant man and he's not some skeevy, gold-chain wearing, open shirt freak either.  He's just a nice guy with little time.  Who is the perfect date for him?  Someone smart who can carry on the banter of a teasing conversation, is self sufficient and enjoys a circle of her own friends.  

Step one of millionaire matchmaking was entering his profile on a local dating site.  I wrote it for him under my own name and let the stress and chaos begin!  My client and I emailed about 10 prospective women that were possibilities to date him.  We got a response from about 1/3 of them and one turned into a date!  Has he found love yet?  Not yet but dating is the only way to get closer. I imagine I'll be emailing women soon for my client and I'll keep you posted on my real life millionaire match-up in Richmond, VA!

I ended last night's Forest Hill Art Walk by attending Chuck Scalin's opening at Nest.  The Forest Hill artwalk was fun and I had the heart photo (shown in my last blog) at Epoch.  My visit at Nest was short but fun.  The place was packed!  There was a great food spread in the gallery where Chuck's work was hanging.  His prints were colorful and the photos of the architectural details were haunting and large.  I tried to make my way through the cozy space which is Nest, only to come face-to-face with the artist, Chuck Scalin!  

"Hi!" he says, "I'm Chuck Scalin, the artist in the other room."  " Yes", I say, "Jamie Weinstein, I have my art in the other room.  I make the skulls and other pieces.  I took some pictures of your pieces, I hope that's okay".  "Of course, it is!  Then you must know my son" he says,  "thanks for coming, it was great meeting you".  Awesome short interaction.  I grabbed a glass of champagne, ate a brownie and left.  I actually got locked out after stepping out of the crowded gallery to eat my brownie!  Then I went and hung out with my husband since the baby was already asleep.  The perfect short little evening!

Albert,  I just want to change one word in your quote-  Art.  I think the word art can be substituted for science and speaks volumes about my new favorite artist at the VMFA-  Ryan McGinness.   Originally from Virginia Beach, Ryan now lives and works in NY.  Called a "warholian for the technology age"  Ryan simplifies images and creates stunning colorful pieces using screening processes.

These are some of his pieces I viewed.  I love the chair and the breakdown of Andrew Wyeth's "The Country".  It's like a combination of drafting and more design oriented arts mixed with glorious expressionism.  I guess in some ways his work could be viewed as sacrilege to more classical pieces but I find it invigorating and exciting.  

       One of the benefits of shopping with other people's money is meeting their needs.   I love helping others and I love setting them up for success.  Today started with a trip to my usual grocery stores, Food Lion in Southside and Martin's and Kroger in Carytown but then I got to go to my favorite boutique grocery stores, The Yellow Umbrella on Patterson Avenue and Fresh Market in Carytown.

   Fresh Market in Carytown rocks because they have great customer service (although their automated phone system leaves something to be desired--it never connects you to the right department!) and little samples of coffee by the front door--the perfect thing on a cold, just coming-off-of snow, RVA winter day!  I have Fresh Market on speed-dial as I pre-order wraps for my client every Monday and Friday and I just walk up to the deli and they have my order ready.  The best cashier, Kate, is always smiling and offers to help if needed!  They are awesome!

       The Yellow Umbrella rocks because the staff is so friendly and helpful!  I've had consistently good service here.  The guys are friendly and the selection is awesome!  I got a pound of jumbo shrimp from North Carolina, shelled and deveined for $19 and a sweet, thick piece of Halibut fresh cut that morning, for $40.  They always offer a bag of ice too, even when there's snow on the ground!

After I was finished with my shopping gig, I went by Epoch on Semmes Avenue, Southside VA, to turn in a couple of paintings before they Artisan's Evening tomorrow!  I can't wait for the event and I love the owners Jake and Colena.  I took a sugar skull and a more realistic skull in, so they should be a good contrast against some of my other pieces I have in there.  They have awesome deals and right now they have some older red teak pieces.  Today Colena picked up a super sweet 60s mod lighting fixture.  It was so cool that she admitted, she hadn't really tested whether it worked or not!  I begged her to hang it close to my painting, it was so cool.

Finally before heading home, I pass my beloved Nest on Semmes Avenue, Southside, VA.  I love Nest.  The owners Marcelo and Mark are awesome and have been so supportive throughout this retail experiment of mine.  I've sold one large canvas piece there, several skulls and a Barbie Christmas ornament!  Their store is so cool and filled with goodies from jewelry that Marcelo makes, to an Osiris Masonic sequined hat for less than $200--I so want it!

Whether you are visiting Richmond, VA or you live here, stop by these locations if you get a chance!  They're that little bit of quirky and cool that makes RVA.