Festival Fun!!!

Last Sunday's Lowe Mill Music & Arts Festival was enjoyable! The weather was beautiful, though a little warm. The crowd was building in this view which is looking straight out from my booth. Artists, vendors were set up around the perimeter of a grassy area facing the back dock of the beautiful old building that once was a mill and now houses artist's studios and has areas for art events and parties. Beginning in the spring they have Friday night concerts on the back docks much like was going on Sunday afternoon. This was a fundraiser for the building to help with costs.

I regret now not taking more photos to share, forgot my camera so all of these are with my cellphone camera. This is the back "wall" of my booth. I confess to sitting there enjoying the live bands all afternoon and chatting with those that dropped in to look.

Not a great photo but it illustrates the beaming warm sun of the day and my view standing in the entrance of my booth looking towards the bands.

Here is the same view without being blinded by the sun. This is the same place that I exhibited art on the third floor gallery a couple of years ago. Sadly, the ladies closed that gallery after the exhibit because it was too much work for them. There are a couple of places in that building that one can exhibit and I inquired about them and may do that in the future.

This was the view behind me. I didn't have anyone with me so I had to stay with my booth. Kids were occasionally walking through my booth and under the netting so I really didn't want to leave it. VolleyGirl would have loved it but she had tons of homework to do. BigBoy drove me over and helped with all the set-up before leaving. How did I do? Eh, no one purchased anything and walked away with it but had some leads and have a commissioned painting to do after being emailed from a lady that wants a hot air balloon painting. Cris, I thought of you immediately and that painting you posted last week! Also have a personalized 8x10 zentangle to do for a lady to give to her son for Christmas. A couple of others sounded promising, we'll see. In the meantime I am looking for more places to exhibit, like galleries, the main library, coffee shops, the art league, restaurants now that the festivals are winding down. Also want to post on Etsy. Think that if the work hangs up longer I may get more response. Perhaps closer to Christmas I will get some personalized snowmen requests too. It takes me a couple of days to recover after doing this, you know, catching up with wash, groceries, etc. Worked on contacts yesterday, plan to today, along with getting back to the 8x8 black and white painting. Hope all is well.....will get to your sites now!

Latest Art Catch Up #3 Last One!

This is about 4x6 in. graphite pencil drawing, wanted to have another pencil drawing and had a great frame for it. It didn't take very long at all. I know you have seen this scene before...guess this image is burned in my brain-wonder if the actual scene will ever be revealed to me....I also like to draw this because of the shading involved, though I never seem to be quite satisfied with the stone......Cris asked why I wasn't pleased with my last drawing of the purse, scarf and earrings. I thought it too monotone, shouldn't have started out with such a dark pencil but once I had completed the purse I felt like I couldn't lighten up the rest too much.

Today I have worked with the "Canine Messiah", he's on an antibiotic and hasn't wanted to eat very much, got some down him, gave him his stomach medicine, benadryl, antibiotic, out for a short walk for his sniffing fix and a little business. Gathered clothes for wash, I swear I would bleed lint, now get a shower, take VG to seamstress to have straps on dress fixed for her dance next weekend (drama on that story in future), go by framers to pick up mats and canvas framed then back home to work on my two 8x10 fruit paintings. I also will take some time to do a heart for Haiti, told VG she could do one too! Hope to get online later tonight or tomorrow to check in on everyone, you all sustain me.

Please be sure to check out the Skywatch Friday post just below and Apollo's post today below that!!!! They are both new today also!

H.A.W./C.O.W. .......ongoing

Dudley would have no part of cooperation with the photo taking process. Gotta love the cattitude!

Finished this in record time...not totally pleased with it, but considering I was using brand new pencils and working quickly, won't complain. Still not a scanned image, so it doesn't appear very crisp here. Also, painted the background again on an earlier painting, painted some on two 8x10s, found frames for two ink pieces last posted, purchased more pens, brush and a project board for VolleyGirl's science project. Gathered all my other pieces to see just what all I had....for certain! Heaven forbid should I forget washing a couple of loads of clothes! Tomorrow I will paint and go get mats cut for a couple of pieces. After looking over what I have, any new pieces I do should be colored pencil or graphite pencil. Enjoyed taking a little time this morning to check in on some of you too......oh yeah, chased the royal one a bit too!

I'm Still Around

Since my last post I have finished sketching out, started painting on a Maytagarama, started this zentangle, almost 8x10, which is already sold, and agreed to do a specific drawing for my niece for an auction by Dec. 5th. I know, probably should say no, but we help each other out, be supportive and it will also reach another group of people to my art.

I just received a call yesterday and my start date for work is Dec. 1st, Tuesday. That Tuesday and Wednesday I go in 10 until 2, Thursday and Friday is 9 til 4. That's just because I will be training for a couple of weeks. Generally I will work 10 til 2. Ah, yes, right at the holidays....but I knew that would be the case. I have still not sold anything at the coffeehouse but still hopeful I may before it's over. My niece has a prominent role at our main library and has gave me information about exhibiting there and I just emailed them. Also, recently she was at one of our swanky restaurants for an artist's reception for an exhibit and spoke with the manager about my work and I am about to contact him. Why....well, I enjoy doing my art for fun but I would also rather bring in some extra income doing my art on my on schedule than working at something totally unrelated away from the house. Not that I mind getting out of the house that much, may be good for me....we will see.

Got the big grocery run today, cooking some for us here at home this week though we will be at my in-laws for the main Thanksgiving meal....my contribution is a German chocolate cake. I usually look for a new cake to make but I haven't made this and I don't think my kids have tried it. I will come up with something new for Christmas. Speaking of that, have picked up a couple of things for the kids, and Mr. U already while I've been out. I really hope to get by to leave comments.....maybe tonight since BigBoy came in last night and they are going somewhere later today for a night. I miss the interaction with y'all so much!

Would You Like Sprinkles On Your Ice Cream?

Sitting in Barnes and Noble last night while VolleyGirl enjoyed dinner and a movie with friends gave me the opportunity to almost complete this drawing. I have a large regret...that I made the big rock so round.......oh well, at least it doesn't look like a cocoa puff like I thought my last one did!!!!! I did find some bargain books on watercolor and drawing that I may pick up today, and one biography on Thomas Jefferson.

Quick update before I take VG to B&N for a study group...BB had his wisdom teeth out Friday morning so I have been in the role of nurse and Dairy Queen employee. I opened the fourth half gallon of ice cream this morning! He has done very well and hopefully soon it will just be a tale for the tomorrows!

Seems like I have not been so tired lately...yea! Enjoy seeing all your ATCs.....want to join the fun sometime soon! Try to get around to comment but it has been busy around here.

Amazing Love...

My good friend Soulbrush has once again bestowed an award to me. I am always flattered and grateful for the acknowledgement that it may be worth someone's time to bother reading my blog. Thank you so very much Soulbrush, you are always an inspiration. I will pay it forward soon.

Monday I finished this drawing while waiting in Barnes & Noble Bookstore as VolleyGirl and a couple of friends were in a movie. I also worked on another zentangle last night, should post it Friday or before.

This, That and The Other

Not quite finished with my pencil drawing, tried do so last night but Fat B kept coming up sniffing and blowing so I gave it up and finished this zentangle instead. The sun was coming through the kitchen window blinds late yesterday afternoon on the kitchen table where I take the photos to get good light. I loved the way it looked!

Working with the black ink really brings the contrast I enjoy though I plan more with the colored pens. The other day I purchased some neat small color frames with zentangles in mind, thinking that stepping into this venture I would throw everything against the wall and see what sticks!!! Plus, I like the variety and some things can be completed faster than others.

Recently I took on a challenge offered up by Soulbrush to post 70 facts about myself (many are still in a semi-conscious state). Those that participated were up for a card making kit via their name being chosen by Soulbrush's fluffy Snuffles. Proudly I announce that apparently my name had the lucky odor sniffed out by Snuffles!!!!!! The kit arrived just the other day! Thank you so much SB for your generosity and your constant support!

Yesterday I put some of my work in frames and started writing my resume- to be prepared for anything part-time that may interest me....there is one position that caught my eye......wheels are turning a bit in my head for directions to go in with my art. Those wheels have been locked up and rusty for some time now.....how do you denote wiping noses, field trips, team mom and homework task leader in a resume? Ha.

Apollo informed me that Mr. Unplugged was referring to next Saturday for a trip to visit BigBoy and not tomorrow.....information from spoiled-rotten bulldogs is unreliable. Must get on with the day, keep VolleyGirl and the 5 busloads of her class in your prayers as they will travel back from overnight retreat in rainy, Friday afternoon traffic.....severe storms here tonight and tomorrow.

The Last Christmas Drawing, Kid's Pics and Sticky Buns...

The candle was quickly done in pencils late one night just before Christmas. Apollo is in hog (or dog) heaven when BigBoy is home, he wouldn't be still so his head is blurry....VolleyGirl posing in some of her new clothes....Claus brought her a new camera, why she's using mine.....both would be horrified that I posted their pic. Apollo, the "Canine Messiah", would feel he deserves more!Finally, probably my last "holiday" baking. I made sticky buns for the first time New Years Day. They were easy, sticky and yummy. If anyone's interested in the recipe, let me know...I'll post it!

Putting away decorations today and pondering my resolution for this year: Clean out this house! It is just one (sadly, there are many) thing that stresses me out, too much clutter. Every closet, drawer, nook and cranny needs going through. In past I have gotten rid of items and then came upon an occasion when I wished I had it, can't let that scare me cause too much has got to go! The difficult thing is that I will have to pace myself due to the back, knee and fibromyalgia, and now club volleyball starts up this week which means running VolleyGirl around and sitting on bleachers. Resolution: I will complete at least one project a week. I also will be back finishing and framing the "Maytagaramas". I look forward to moving on to other paintings, drawings and want to do some watercolors. Okay, on to the tree.......

Working on the "Christmas Extravaganza"

I have only had time for a little color pencil sketch..this was just before Thanksgiving. I will have a difficult time in the next few weeks to paint. Decorating, shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing...recovering from decorating, shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing!!!! Wish I had taken photos of the two cakes I made, "Lipsmackin' Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake" and a carrot cake. I have increased pain and problems in my leg from my back but treading easily to avoid a major problem as I had last year on Thanksgiving weekend. (Holding breath, fingers crossed, saying prayer!)

That's BigBoy and VolleyGirl the day after Thanksgiving. We were all out working in the front, trying to get as much done as possible since BigBoy was leaving that day to return for school. He and his dad LOVE to put out LOTS of decorations in the front. I have yet to get any up inside but will have them complete before BB comes home for the holidays a week from TODAY!