The Celebration Art Show is over; but not the celebration!

What a ride. 10 weeks, 7 days a week. You enter a buzzing tent full of energy and people. People from all over the country visiting, and 100 artists busy at work in their studios. Each day you face yourself, what angel or demon may be on your shoulder. How far a simple smile can get you. How much your smile can lift another. Facing the truth of what is in your control, and what is not.

The show is living a chapter of life; not only your own, but experiencing with new friends and peers at the show. You share everything from homemade cupcakes to dreams. Strengths and weaknesses. Triumphs and tragedies. A few friends lost dear ones this year; we hurt for their loss; and were reminded of our loved ones as well. Good time to reflect and put proper things in perspective. The show itself is living art.

Life does not stop because you're working overtime for a quarter of the year; it just folds itself right into it. Things become concentrated, more challenging. I recall a quote I once heard:
"If you want to hear God laugh, just tell Him your plans!" That ALWAYS brings a smile!

It's a time to have faith; be strong and accept, be open. It was magical every time I met a new person that connected with my work; how the animals "spoke" to them. One older gentleman said it brought tears to his eyes! And he had tears in his eyes. Those things really move me. These are truly the greatest rewards. This is about the journey - not the destination.

The seeds are planted, let time and opportunity let them manifest. Speaking of which, I will share 2 great artistic influences I have to thank for the latest "layer" of growth in my latest works. Bruce and Gunther. More of this direction to come! I'm attaching one for you here, completed on the last day of the show. A balance of abstract and realism:

The King II
48"x36" acrylic/oil on canvas

To my Celebration friends, safe travels and a prosperous 2010 year! Until next time,
Deborah

It made me feel on top of the world! Week 7

After 7 long weeks; a new collector walked into my world at the art show. Mind you, not a new art collector, but new to me. Selling my work is the hardest thing I've ever done. Sometimes the worst scenario is to have the artist sell their own work, but then again - who is more qualified to speak about it to another?

While painting at my easel one afternoon, I heard someone say over my shoulder, "Wow, that cat is looking at me!" I noticed a polished gentlemen in a nice suit walking by with a fellow artist. I smiled at him and he looked at the other artist like, Just when I thought I was done with art purchases...? Now what am I gonna do? The other artist smiled and agreed, telling him: "Yeah she does killer eyes!"

I was boosted for the rest of the day, seeing how supportive another artist was, even with his own collector. Clearly the gentlemen was there to see his art, and mine also caught his eye. Later I thanked the artist who responded : "I wouldn't have said anything less."

A week went by. Then one afternoon a voice over my shoulder says: "That cat is still staring at me! I just love this piece." I look over and smile at the new familiar face. The rest couldn't have happened more natural, he loved that painting as much as I did painting it. I painted this piece last April, knowing she was special, I painted her for me and then to share. I didn't know it'd be nearly a year later before she'd have a new home, all the way to New Hampshire. Before he left he gave me a hug and made sure to tell me: "I knew that painting was mine from the first time I saw it." I told him "I did too."

*The funny part about this is, by now I've spoken to hundreds of people, some who "flee" out of the booth if you make eye contact or say anything to them. Maybe they feel they're going to get "sold". So often you blame yourself when one walks out of your booth with nothing to go on; you believe you did something wrong or didn't do enough. Somehow you didn't meet their needs. And it's true, but the reasoning reversed. I didn't meet their needs because they had no needs to be met; they're not in the market, nor interested in collecting the work in the future. If they were, they'd either take a card or wish to be on my mailing list. Those scenarios are not in your control, can't believe you've failed here. It's a reminder to be yourself, the rest is a numbers' game. "You're selling art - not shoes!" - as a dear friend put it.

I'd also like to share here something unmistakable: this all happened in week 7. The number 7 is a perfect number with our Lord. Faith is a wonderful thing, especially when we're reminded to have it.