And so it begins.  My good friend (and excellent artist!) Janet Weight Reed and I have been friends for over 20 years.  We met while both living in West Chester, PA.  She is originally from England, and has since returned.  Over the years, I have visited her and she has visited me, and each time we are together, so much learning takes place – on my part, at least!  Regardless, much fun is had!

During these visits, we have been slowly developing the idea of doing an artist exchange between Europeans and Americans.  This is quite frequently done abroad:  a group of artists from one community will travel to and stay with artists from another area.  They enjoy the events and do “arty” things together, and then the other group reciprocates at a later date.   That is what this trip is about:  a cultural sharing, bringing guests from abroad to South Dakota.  Janet has brought some of her friends from abroad on board, and they have launched onto this adventure with us.  Unfortunately, after all this planning, Janet is unable to attend this year, as her mother is very ill.  She will be missed by us all… especially those who won’t be able to meet her this time around!  But, she is here in spirit, and is extending this blog to her vast blog community on her daily postings… you should check out her amazing cite: My Life as an Artist:  http://janetweightreed10.blog.co.uk

As always, travel is an adventure, and the two lovely ladies pictured here are from the London area.  Ironically, both are named Jane!  They arrived right on time to bright skies and a trip to Mount Rushmore.  My mother, Millie Halsey, is one of the local hosts, and she brought a second vehicle to take them on their first South Dakota adventure… to see the faces of Mount Rushmore!  My other two guests are from outside of Paris.  Their plane was delayed, and they missed their flight, not coming in to Rapid City until late in the evening, amidst a thunderstorm!  (Thus, no photos of them arriving!)

This exchange is not intended as an income producer, but as an idea generator.  An exchange between like-minded people who are on board with the excitement that something new brings into your life.  Join us via the blog for a virtual artist exchange, and perhaps you will be game for an artist exchange in the future!