Blogging Blues

Show sales have picked up. I had so many shows in a row without being able to come home and make more things, and still, was able to have good shows. I worked really hard to have enough for this time. The Donna Lexa Memorial Art Show was very, very good to me. If you are looking for a Fine Art Show at that time, you should try it. (I do understand that not everyone was happy with their sales).
I also had a good St. Germain Flea Market after that. So much so, that we drove up just for the next Flea Market after the Donna Lexa Show. It paid off. I only have five more shows, not counting the two remaining Flea Markets. It's hard to believe that they are almost over.
I played the game that some of my friends do, waiting until the very limit of sending in money for shows, and because of that, I didn't get into Lake Arrowhead Show. I am very, very disappointed about that, as it was a good show for me last year.

Well, I will be in St. Germain on Monday August 29th for the Flea Market. Only two more left, so come see me if you are there. I am along the soccer field in space number 6 and 7.

How's Summer Going for Ya?

I get asked this everyday. It's a subjective question for me. Some days good, some days not so good. I will admit to you that summer sales are not what they used to be, not by any stretch of the imagination. I feel for what is happening out there, that I am doing as well as the ones that are doing something. I have had to really work hard coming up with a reason for people to purchase for me when there is such an influx of goods for sale. I have never seen so many choices in all my days.
 It's like taking someone out for dinner that has already eaten at home. There is almost no more appetite for things. Everyone is stuffed. Don't know if its my age, but it seems like I hear a lot of: "oh, I am trying to get rid of things, not collect them".
So, I cannot be just an artist anymore. I need to think about how they will choose my art over someone else's or the stores that are shelves and shelves of choices. (I am thinking Hobby Lobby, here, or Michaels, or Stein's.) 

My dad always said, "there is nothing new under the sun", well, I have to think of something. Myself, I am always looking for something I haven't seen before. How many times people come in my booth and say, "I have never seen anything like this"---at this point, that is a high compliment.
Well, I have just two more days to make something special for the weekend show in Green Lake.  This is always one show I look forward to doing because it is truly an Art Show and not a Craft Show. Certainly there are find crafts, but, I still consider them art, for instance, pottery. 

St. Germain Flea Market

 Of, course, although I love art shows the best, I have found a Flea Market that has been good to me. I used to be offended when people would refer to what I do as "going to flea markets" vs doing "art shows". They didn't know the difference, but, that made it even more offensive to me because it meant they didn't know how "valuable" (laughing now) my art is.......afterall, Flea Market sales are things you want to get rid of because you have no use for them, whatever would My Art have to do with that????
I will give you this: I am not mad if someone at a Flea Market asks for a "deal", I may not give it to them, but I understand their thinking. It's my fault that I am selling in that type of atmosphere. However, it is never good etiquette to ask for a "deal" at an art show, and you may get flogged if you do it......just sayin'.

Star Lake Train 1930's

I always get requests for train items. I made up a few yesterday. Today, I will have to get inspired for the next three shows, as I won't be home in between them. I am also doing the Paul Bunyan Art and Craft Show in Eagle River on Wednesday. It's always a good and big show. Plus I get to visit Soda Pops, one of my favorite stores in Eagle River.
Well, hope to see you at a show. Otherwise, visit me on Facebook at Shebrews Artistic Expressions.

Land O Lakes Wisconsin Art Show

This is actually from the Artarama show a week earlier, but my booths tend to look the same. That show was disappointing for me, but I heard that some people had good sales. 

 

It took me forever to set up the show at Land O Lakes. I felt like I barely got set up, went and washed up and did my hair and makeup, returned, had two hours of sales and the sky opened up and the rains came. Now, normally, rain does not deter this crowd, as we have it quite frequently at this show....see last year....

But this year, the threat of serious weather just had us all packing up as fast as we could. As it was, I did get some damaged pieces as the water came in so fast and wicked on the back of them. The next day, at Nancy's we just put the tents up and the curtains and got them dry for Monday's Flea Market, which was not very good, either. 

It's gonna be a tough year, and I am not sure which direction to go at this point. Well, this week I will be up North all week, doing Mercer, Minocqua, Lakewood and then, St. Germain. 

It goes like this: 

August 3, Mercer Loon Days 

August 4, Minocqua Torpey Park 

August 6, Lakewood 

August 8, St. Germain

St. Germain Independence Day

Well, it was an absolutely beautiful weekend. The night before this show, I watched St. Germain's  fireworks from my RV while lying on the bed. It was an awesome display, and I haven't seen live fireworks for 20 years.
Sales were disappointing, and I don't know what to say about that. Things seem a little depressed this year, yet. I thought this would be the weekend to kick it all off. I feel like I did get a good response on the new things I have been painting, and so, I am thinking that I am going in the right direction.
I have a new button to "Like" me on facebook, so be sure you use it, it will let me know you are keeping up with me. Thanks.

Getting Ready for July 4th weekend

I have noticed that I have slowly been braver and adding more details. There is constant thinking about this and how I can make a story from various images combined in one piece. It reminds me of cooking sometimes. I made meatballs tonite for supper, but was perplexed about how to serve them. I didn't want the traditional "spagetti and meatballs", and finally decided on making them like appetizer meatballs. The recipe with grape jelly. Looking it up, I found that the other "secret" ingredient was chili sauce. Hmmm....I just googled substitute for chili sauce and it gave me a recipe to make my own, as I didn't have any on hand. Then, the chili sauce called for cinnamon, cloves, and one other ingredient......I didn't have any of those, but I had chinese five spice---pretty close. They turned out awesome, and I discovered that it is much like what I do in the studio. Grabbing things and putting them in the "pot" and seeing what it becomes.

This one I decided to actually do a little minnie painting, but because it was so little and detailed, I actually drew it out first in india ink and then painted the rest afterwards. I zoomed in on the painting so you could see.

I love everything about this one. I am getting more familiar with what works, and more relaxed about it. Another little drawing/painting, and I am learning to let some things just interpret themselves. I had planned on painting in the lake, but realized that it says it all without doing the. I like the layered textured background. I really enjoyed doing the little sign on the right. I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but everytime I see those signs on the roadside, I get happy. There is so little left of the days when I stayed in those little rented housekeeping cabins. They are slowly being replaced by condos. Seriously, why would you want to duplicate the big city life? If you want luxury, don't go for the Northwoods. I am against all this modernizing, it defeats the purpose to me. Keep it simple and fun. A cabin for 7 people should only have 7 plates, 7 forks and 7 spoons. A small fridge, just enough beds and a fishouse on the property. OOOOOOkay, I will stop now...don't get me going.......
These are my latest up to now. Today, I began painting on metal pieces. You shall see them next. Thanks for stopping by, and do leave a comment. Don't be afraid....there are no blogger police in the recesses of the internet waiting to grab all your information.

Working Hard for Art Shows

Plum Lake Public Pier with vintage Girl Swimmer

I was really happy with the results of this picture. I have had the print of the girl swimmer for quite awhile and knew that I would know what to do with it when the time came. 

You will see how my work evolves as I show you the next few paintings. 

The last time I did these collages, people seemed to like this dark background the best. However, I have experimented with other colors and think people will like them also. 

I like to paint the postcard into the picture if I can. It is difficult to write on paintings, so, if I can, I also add pre-lettered verses instead. 

I like the use of vintage maps and I actually found one that listed the resorts and put them on the map where they were. This is helpful in my research when doing these pieces. 

 

This is the map that listed the resorts. I tried to make it a bigger picture so you can see it. I really like working with fishing and canoeing themes, but I have plans to explore other subjects as well. 

I had a lot of fun creating the background for this nice piece. I enjoy using the illustrations of women in these themes.

Well, that's about it for now, but I hope to make a lot more this week. I will post them as I do them. I will be in St. Germain on July 3 and 4. Hope to see you there!!

Fun Collaging

I am so excited to be collaging and painting again. I feel all giggly about it and at the same time nervous. I am nervous because I cannot plan my art as it takes on a life of its own. I have an idea, but it takes things out of my mind and runs with it. I don't have so much time to create, so I don't want things to not turn out. I need them to turn out everytime......silly, I know.

My computer is acting weird, but I suddenly have the ability to make my photos larger.......I have another I can try to post, but so far it isn't letting me.