Lucky To Have Good Friends

This weekend in Chicago was so good. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for my friend Ron for taking such good care of us this weekend, for my husband Ben for being my support system through all the heavy lifting, for my Mother in law who watched our kids, for my amazing art collecting friends in Chicago who came out to see me again and for my newest collectors who made my weekend a major success. It is a real treat to be able to mix fun with my work and my passion. Oh and let's not forget to thank Mother Nature for giving us the most beautiful weekend of weather in Chicago. I know how very lucky we were to be missed by the weather that many artists faced in St. Louis this year.

There's Ron holding "Re-Connecting" up in it's new home.

"Re-Connecting" on the wall.

Ron and Ben enjoying the second half of the Mizzou game.



Ron and Ben making fun of people. Don't you just love the straight faces they are trying to keep?

Taking Root

Taking Root
24"x48"
SOLD!

I blogged about this painting in August when I started it. The colors and general design were inspired by an artist trading card I made. I finished this painting just in time to take it to Chicago. Since I have been home, I have been so busy, I haven't had time to write about it and then last night my mom called me from Wood Icing saying she had a couple interested in it and needed to know the price. She called me back 10 minutes later to make my day and tell me they bought it! They said they were just popping in to kill time before catching a movie and fell in love with it. Lucky for me! My biggest concern was that I thought I hadn't taken a good picture of it, but I apparently did the morning before we left for Chicago and I had completely forgotten.

Taking Root is a painting that was mostly about color and I knew I wanted to include my cool little tree in it when I started it . As I worked through it, I realized that I was painting about my decision to take root at Wood Icing. After a year of fun, stress, and hard work I realized I wanted more. I have decided to take root at Wood Icing in every way. I am partnered with my mom, teaching, and creating in that space. It is a great place to be a part of and I am so optimistic about the future.

So thank you anonymous couple from the mall! You made my day and gave me the sign I needed to feel confident in my decision to "take root".

The Postcard Series

Today I am introducing my new Postcard Series. I have had this idea brewing for quite some time. Just ask Ben and Amie and Mary Beth and my mom. I get these ideas and then I let EVERYTHING stop me from starting. Well, I finally did it. I have made three lovely little paintings and I have posted them on Etsy today. My first painting is of St. Louis, MO of course, because that is my home town.

The Postcard Series are little 4" x 6" paintings of various destinations for only $35 a piece. They still have my abstract, textural, colorful touch, but I decided to add a simple painting of a city skyline to them. I love the idea of bringing home a memento from my travels, but I can never find just the right thing. I always love the postcards, but eventually they get bent or shoved in a drawer somewhere. This small piece of art commemorating a certain city or town would appeal to me because it is more permanent and special. They also make a lovely gift for someone to remind them of home, or to celebrate a honeymoon, the possibilities are endless.

I would like to make these as custom art work for anyone who is interested. All you have to do is contact me and we can work out the details. I would be happy to work from one of your photos or one of mine. Size and subject matter can vary. I am happy to make them bigger, smaller, framed or unframed. Of course the ideas just keep going so now I plan to paint houses and trees and if anyone has a great barn picture I would love to do a barn for you!

I painted Chicago, IL because I spent so much time there during this fair season.
I painted Seattle because I was lucky enough to visit there a couple times and if I wanted to move away from my family, I think I would move there.

FREE SHIPPING TO MY FIRST SALE ON ETSY!

Rained Out

I really think that Lakeview had some great potential, but the weekend was a total bust. It was raining on the drive up, rained during set up and rained all the way home. Sunday was cancelled due to rain and high winds from Ike and I came home $1200 in the hole. This business is a gamble and I know that, but man, I was hoping for better.

So this is why I am lucky. On Friday after setup, Ben and I got to go out to eat at this fantastic Mexican restaurant called El Mariachi's. It was so cute and just a hop skip and not even a jump to the hotel. The front was open and we could watch the people and the rain while we ate and had margaritas. Best taco I ever had....I swear. Pueblo Solis on Hampton is a close second.

Other reasons I am lucky; The Lakeview East Fair people were great. They fed us a great breakfast and a great awards dinner on Saturday night and they invited all of us artists to come back next year jury free. That saves us about $35 bucks and some time and effort. And I got to come home to my house safe and warm. This makes me really feel for all of the displaced people here in Missouri and in Galveston, TX. My bad weekend pales in comparison.

Besides, I am pretty sure I saved Chicago at least 1 inch of rain because I brought it home in my tent! It is out on my deck drying today in the sun.

Oh and I am amazed at how many people actually did come out to support the fair this weekend. They came out with their umbrellas, and cute rubber boots just to come see our art. What a great community.

Lakeview East

Well, this weekend marks the last fair of my season. I hear that it is a really great fair to participate in so I am super excited. I have been working on some new paintings and I am really happy with them. They're kind of like to Noah's Arc of painting. I made two of a every size. I will have to post pictures when I get back because I should be packing the van right now! I'll check back in Monday if my art fair hangover isn't too bad!