This morning I was awakened by severe itchy upper arm for some odd reason. When I took a look, it was beat red and full of large welts! That never happened before, ever. I tried some topical stuff and that seemed to work for a bit. The allergies seemed a tad better, but I'm still feeling a bit out of sorts today. Thinking about yesterday, I realized that when someone mentioned the weather the day before, when I commented, the poor woman looked at me like I had horned tentacles growing out of my body and right before her eyes. I obviously got it wrong. Oh yah, I thought. I haven't seen the light of day for a few days now. What the heck was the weather like yesterday. I better keep my mouth shut. Other than that situation, it was such a wonderful and affirming day after all. How could today top that? So, I thought I'd try the art fair again and see what happens.
Well to be clear, I didn't go to the fair to top yesterday, but I think it did. One thing that I like as much as seeing the art work is watching people and making new connections. Not only did I make new connections today, but I rekindled an old one. So glad. It means a lot to me. Life it too short to lose touch with people.
And the cherry on the top today was learning from some of the artists, that after almost 20 years, I am still thought of as one of the best at what I did. You see. I promoted artists for over 35 years. First it was artists from all over the world in a brick and mortar store, then 20 at fine art fairs and gallerys. That, on top of yesterday, put me over the moon. Thank you again Universe for putting this all in my path. My journey continues . . .
On my walk today I met and had a chat with Paolo Pedini. Love the bright colors and quirky style. He's a bit of a slow key, quiet guy, which let's his art speak. Perfect. Check out more work on his website:
http://paolopedini.tumblr.com/
 |
| Paolo Pedini |
 |
| Paolo Pedini |
This pix is for you, my skeleton loving friend. And you know who you are. Thank you for the words and just being you. You never know how a seemingly casual conversation can impact someone. I've always admired you and your talent. If you didn't know already, now it's official.
Next I met Pat McCraffrey from Swampware Pottery. I was first drawn to the vintage images on her vases, trays and other goodies. Then we started talking. We talked about our shared love of anything vintage and the images that 'speak' to us so loud and clear. Not to mention the hunt to find them. Each and every piece is it's own painting, but functional. Love it!
 |
| Swampware Pottery |
 |
| Swampware Pottery |
Oh, Steven Wirtz, what a crazy mind you have! Just check out the paper mache doggy lifting his leg to, well, you know. All of the paper mache people and animals had some equal quirkyniess to them ... and they were FUN! Haha.. can't be in a bad mood with his work around.
 |
| Steven Wirtz |
Then I had a nice long chat with Elissa Brown from The Freckled Army. What a nice, upbeat gal she is. Her big smile and bright eyes beamed as she welcomed people into her booth to check out her mix media collage work. Holy cow! It's just great too. I love the layers and colors and textures. She draws and paints her own images then works her magic putting it all together. I wish I had money . . . and wall space.
 |
| Elissa Brown of The Freckled Army |
Then there was Julie. I love this gal. The instant we met it was like we knew each other forever. I hope we become life long friends. She is so open and honest and talented! Her paintings are so very detailed and complex. I loved the color combinations...everything from brights to black & white to soft & subtle.
 |
| Julie VanZandt-Coules |
 |
| full view from photo above |
|
|
Bye-bye now. See you at the art fair next year!
Ok, maybe just one more thing.
This is where I just have to say something. Not out of anger but to educate. This has happened at one time or another to every artist. By people we know and trust and by people we don't. Stop ripping off someone else's designs & ideas. Artists work hard to create what they do. They have time and money invested in creating something that people may want to own or give as a gift. In many cases, selling their art is their livelihood. Especially with today's economy and jobs so hard to find, it's even more important to understand.
I think that a lot of people just don't realize the hours it takes to come up with the idea, the cost of materials, the days, weeks, months it takes to make the piece, the time to finish it with a professional look that will attract a buyer, the gas it takes to drive it to a store or art fair so you can see it, the travel/hotel costs, display costs, the record keeping and follow up to be sure the checks cash, the NSF fees and time to track down the buyer to pay up, the credit card fees the artist incurs so you, the public, don't have to carry cash. . I think you are getting my point. I heard from a number of artists this weekend that people walk into the booth, start snapping photos (without permission) and then go home and duplicate the work to sell... or copy the images off the internet and produce them for sale or even just for themselves. This is a no-no.
All I ask, is that before you use your cell phone or camera to take a picture of someone's work, ask if it's ok. Tell the artist why you want the photo and never ever duplicate for personal use or to sell it. And never download the pretty image that you wanted so badly to own but not pay for.
And for artist who steal from other artists . . . shame on you. You know better.
