Nearing on the Weekend, Countdown to Valentines

The weekend creeps up sooner than I like. I am fortunate that I have most of my graphics projects completed. But I don't have anything new projects lined up. A lot of "we really want you", and then "lets wait", as I said nothing concrete and a few maybes.
On the art front, the paintings are coming along. I will include a series of some affordable small pieces, collage/encaustic work,  a “Valentines" theme. It’s been a while since I made a hand made Valentine, and the process here is more time consuming.
Personally I always had a struggle with Valentines Day and these paintings are no different. My first recollection of Valentines is of grade school, receiving those ever so mushy cards from boys I did not like. Having barely learned English before starting school I didn't quite get these acts of "like" or "love", I took the words to heart. Does not love mean love? Not quite understanding it was a class enforced egalitarian act in which no child would feel left out. Every one should have the same amount of cards, and back then my young mind believed “Be Mine” meant just that, and that was just loco. I was very careful in never giving out cards that were too "mushy" to boys (I confess sometimes I crossed out the words that might suggest that I liked them). And certainly I cringed on the receiving side if a mushy one came my way. But remember I was young, the years in single digits and I was just getting to grasp my new "home" language.
I took Valentines way too seriously. High school I dismissed it, my boyfriend at the time didn't need Valentines to tell me how he felt, I knew. It wasn't after college that I had fun with it. Throwing some very fun and creative parties. No love interests there, the emphasis was fun, oh and of coarse creativity. Most invitees were in the creative field.
I love Valentines, sweetheart or not. This year Valentines means work, enjoyable work.  I plan to make some of my smaller pieces fun, and affordable. They most certainly are not Hallmark's version of Valentine. The larger pieces are not really Valentines, but are very red, emphasis on passion here. The show should be fun, and beautiful, the wine amazing.