The artist and her framer.

"A half a piece of paper," That's an old joke, but that's about the length of my resume, as far as painting goes. I wonder if by some feat of superior writing I could actually describe myself and come out looking the least bit interesting. Didn't go to art school. Not many awards. Don't belong to any art "societies". Who wants to hear about how I was a (not hockey) Mom, worked at a bank, for a caterer, dentist, lawyers, CPAs, financial planner, real estate brokers, a newspaper, etc., etc. etc. Doubt if anyone wants to know any details of 3 - 4 marriages. (What's the matter with her? No staying power?)

About the framer: Julian Bell is retired from CBS in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was a TV weatherman, and then producer and host of a Sunday morning TV show, "Confluence", which interviewed the religious community. He took early retirement and came back to his native Virginia for the express purpose of learning to sail. He did that, taking his boat "We'll Sea" to the Bahama Island chain as far as Georgetown. He caught the attention of the artist at his yacht club, where she was also a member. They sailed off together to White Stone Beach, where they have had their anchor firmly down since 1997.

With great sadness and regret I must announce the death of Julian Everett Bell on January 29, 2010. I am filled with gratitude for our marriage and for his life, well and truly lived. Miriam MacCarthy-Bell