My Spokane Artfest 2010 Adventure

I kicked off my artfair season with a bang this year and am happy to report that Spokane Artfest was a total success! I had a lot of "firsts" last weekend that created a whirlwind of emotions for me through out the whole event: 1st time and an OUTDOOR show, 1st time showing in the rain, 1st time winning an award, and since there is a 1st time for everything it was also the 1st time I met someone who speaks to trees... out loud. Interesting. Seriously.

To say the least, the whole weekend was absolutely fantastic right down to the moment I had the honor of delivering my big red tree painting to a couple who live in a beautiful home on South Hill, Spokane. Truly rewarding all the way around.

For those of you who would like to peer into my little world of what it takes to do a show like this, by yourself, please read on. Here is my "cliff note" version of some just some of the details of the weekend:

Thursday:

Rent truck/Pack truck - 2 hours

Drive to Spokane - 4.5 hours

Unload upon arrival - 20+ trips back and forth from the truck to my booth space

Booth set up - 5 hours!

Friday:

Morning; last minute details/hanging artwork - 4 hours!

Rain (brace for predicted wind storm that never showed up thank god!)

Won an award! Addision & Myers Visual Arts Award! High five!!!

12 hour work day

Saturday:

Sunny all day! But forgot sunscreen... 11 hour work day.

Sunday:

Arrived early to see other artist's and their booths. Got to finally meet some of the artist's I have been following online...Sheila Evans, Diane Colhane, Jill Mayberg.

Break down tent set up and repack the truck - 5 hours... last one there, by myself, in the dark. Not good.

Monday:

Woke up refreshed and got to deliver "Turning Red 2" to new collectors in Spokane!

Went to visit the Kress Gallery where Sheila Evans' work was hanging, and promptly realized that I had no change for the meters nor could my truck fit in any parking garages... so I drove home - 4.5 hours.

Was it all totally hard? YES. Did I shed an tear of frustration while I was breaking down my tent? YES. Did the good outweigh the bad? YES. Would I do it all again? YES. And I will, this weekend at the Edmonds Art Fair! This time I will have a little set up help from a fantastic friend.. (wiping my brow in relief). More show information to follow.

Reflections

"Reflections"

48 x 24

Oil on Panel

If you have been following my work on Facebook for the past week or so, you have had the pleasure of witnessing my process of pulling a couple all nighters to get this painting completed. Lately I had found my use of daylight very unproductive. Life has been throwing me gigantic challenges, of which I am not ready to share about just yet. But through it all, I had to push myself to accomplish this painting. It took me to a place that I have never been before. It was very therapeutic. I worked for hours. And a few of those days were huge blocks of time all at once. Yesterday was a 12 hour painting day for me... I finished it at 5:30 in the morning.

This painting will always be very special to me; as I spent several days reflecting upon wonderful memories as I painted it.