Rededicating Myself to the Art (Let's Get Selling, Again!)

This past summer, as I was visiting family in Michigan, my artist pal Corey Marie posted a Facebook status asking for help during an art fest. She just needed someone to watch her booth while she drew caricatures for the afternoon. Since I had just spent the previous six days rambling between family members I felt it would be nice to get out and be around some artists. I sent Corey a message and we planned on hanging out at the fest.

And of course, this is the only picture I took:

Corey Marie kicks all sorts of booty and she's one of my creative inspirations. Just being a part of her booth set in motion a strong desire to "get back in the game". See, a few years ago I tried the whole traveling-to-art-fest-to-art-fest artist thing and it never really took hold. I think it was a combination of not having a distinct voice with my work and not having a clue what I wanted to do. 

All rookie mistakes, right?

Right. So doing art fests fell by the wayside, and I got distracted or maybe interested in something else...who knows. But here I am now, in 2014, with a new style of art and a renewed interest (obsession, maybe?) with setting up booths in various fests. 

Just in the past few months I've set up a table at Art in the Garden in Griffin, Art in the Park in Thomaston, and then Festiboo in Farmington. 

Photo by my friend, Cris.

It's almost like riding a bike, you never really forget how to set up. Although I did forget tent stakes at one time, whoops! I have now almost perfected a system of what to pack and how to pack it in my vehicle. 

Mazzy and I at Festiboo. She is a great helper!

With a shopping season approaching, I'm filled with excitement about all the holiday art fest opportunities. I've even scheduled a mini-fest at my studio! I've tried my best to not get myself overwhelmed and overbooked. While I'd love to sell out of art at my first event, I know I'm not going to have much time preparing more art for the later fests. So, this season is going to be an exercise in maintaining peace amid the setting up and breaking down. I believe I'm up to the challenge! 

It's good to be back. 

This Week in the Studio No. 2

Growing concern over wrist pain. Still painting away. Another owl, just for the heck of it. Purchasing supplies for a commissioned piece. Cleaning up the studio in time for some classes and hosting a birthday party.

Driving north and stopping at the art store. Coupons and sales and trying to make up my mind on what size canvases to buy. Settle on the small 4x4 tiny ones. Bring the work home so I can stay up late and paint each one a pretty base color.

Many, many episodes of Arrested Development. Adding to the suns and moons project. Smal paintings take more time that I thought. Little paintings, little details. Doggy at my feet, curious cat stalking about. Announcing another project before this current one is finished, perhaps it'll make me work faster.

What's your next project?

This Week in the Studio No. 1

Painting so much that my fingers and wrist are sore. Riding this wave of productivity until I crash. Can't stop, won't stop. Listening to lots of podcasts, inspirational and hilarious. Many little brush strokes. Many colors. 

A dropped and broken iPad. A quick commissioned piece. Planning future art sales. Making a list for art fests and checking it twice. Trying my best to be organized, but still having a messy, messy studio.