Althea - Why would Miss Leatherpants want to make you "real" by looking you up, when she can hold on to her image of you (fostered by your H's insistence that your marriage was "over years ago", I'm sure, as well as his likely description of your art as a "hobby"). And really - since she ALSO falls into the "those that can't do, teach" group, why would she want to see the FABULOUS ART that you are making and displaying and getting critical kudos for???
I'd just like to have seen the look on her face when your kids informed her of your artistic successes - a little green, perhaps???