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?

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!