First Art Fair of the Season

Well I made it through my busy week which included a plein air session, delivering works to the Art Life Gallery in Lombard, the last of my 4 part alcohol ink class and the first art show of the season in St. Charles.

Despite some very threatening clouds, some heavy down pours during set up (My hair was so wild that it scared a 6 month old - my too. ) and a gloomy weather forecast; things went well and the weather was pretty good, not too hot - just right. It was the first time I used my new booth. I was pleased, it takes up less room in transport and was cooler than my last booth.

My favorite thing about doing these shows is the people I meet.

I decided to paint the pavilion in St. Charles so I would have something local people could talk about. On Saturday I met a couple who told me about their friend that worked on the project and on Sunday I was thrilled when a man walked into my booth and introduced himself as the architect for the rebuild. He was born and raised in St Charles and I got the impression this was a labor of love for him. It was fascinating.


I learn a lot from other artists who wonder in and want to talk about different techniques, (The big tip was Golden interference colors -who knew? More later if it works.) or share tips they've learned from doing shows over the years.

Friends and family members drop by to say hello...


 
 I get to see some people I haven't seen for years. (In fact it happened three times this weekend.)
How wonderful is that?
 
We were well taken care of by friends who live in the area... great food, lots of wine, many laughs and terrific friends. Thanks Lauri and Ken. 

And we got to see this cutie! 
(My hair was better by Saturday night.)
Thanks also to Sam and Mark for whom I could not have done this weekend without.
 

 

Let There Be Light.

Last month I did a show in Madison, Wisconsin at the Museum of Contemporary Arts.  
It was strongly suggested that all vendors bring lights. I didn't.
I just didn't want to add the extra expense to the show costs.

The lighting was fine in my booth, or so I thought. 
It looks alright from a distance right?  But in truth, you couldn't see my art. Soon the other artists started telling me, "Get some lights in your booth." Sales were slow Friday and Saturday mornings, due to the first large snowfall of the season. Very few people ventured into my booth to view my paintings.

Samantha went out to Walmart and bought some inexpensive lights. By 11AM she had them installed.

My sales got better!

For $60 at Wal-Mart we were able to get 5 lights, extra bulbs, 3 extension cords and zip ties.
What a difference lighting made! It was easy!
Thanks Samantha for all you do.

Do you use lighting in your booths?

September 30 in 30, Day 16

Day 16

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Day 16 finds us getting prepared for this weekend's show right here in Rockford, Illinois.
The show is the Greenwich Village show hosted by the Rockford Art Museum.

No painting today - Well that's not true. I have a commission I'm working on and Samantha is hard at work giving my booth a new look. Unfortunately, it rained on the booth and will now require a bit more painting. Oh well. Great job Sam.

Clink here for Greenwich Village Art Fair Link.

Rockford City Market

Here's some photos from Friday night 

at the Rockford City Market.

My "partner in crime" this summer, Samantha Rae.

After a 10 hour road trip from Columbus Ohio, and being routed through downtown Chicago rush hour traffic, Terri might have been tired but she still had smiles to share. I bet that beer tasted really good.

The boys; Mark and Matt.

Savannah and Sandy.

The weather was a perfect 82 degrees with a bit of a breeze.

Channel 13 was right across from us. It was fun watching them broadcast the news on site.

Thanks for my cool chalk sign Savannah.

There were a ton of people there. We were by the food vendors - a popular spot.

Savannah and Sandy tease me.

Just about finished with this piece.

Thanks for the thumbs up Savannah. Cooper loves you.

I had a great time and will be sure to come back again.