"Round the Fountain" Art Festival

Last Saturday Jon and I did a small one day show up in Lafayette Indiana. This was the shows' 35th year. Seated around the historic limestone courthouse, this one day event proved pleasurable and profitable on many counts. Usually enduring inclement weather, this year we had sunny skies, brisk air and great crowds. The patrons that come to this annual event look forward to it and grace the exhibiting artists with genuine interest and purchase their work. Can we ask for more? There's also a strawberry shortcake fundraiser that happens there too!

We got to see friends and catch up, some we hadn't seen since before winter. Early afternoon the committiee of green shirted volunteers awarded ribbons and checks to those who were awarded them through on site judging. Jon and I got a shiny blue ribbon and check! I love getting ribbons! This means we are jury exempt for next years festival and I can build on the momentum our work received. It's all good!

Here we are, with our ribbon!

Thank you to those patrons who buy original art and help make viable the living of artists like myself.
I am greatful for your support and passion!
♥
Patricia

Pacing Ones Self

Things here on Purple Hill are green! Everything is growing and blooming, which is wonderful after a long, drawn out winter.
That's the upside. The downside is, seasonal allergies. They're the pits! I long for this time of year but also know that with it comes irate sneezing and aggrivation with doors open or being outdoors. I have to limit both. When my allergies go out of control, so does my blood sugar. Then fatigue sets in. Moderation!

Today I weeded and cleared grass around a maple tree in our yard. I hope to add compost and plant vinca around the base of it. I have it growling like crazy in beds and can easily spread this prolific ground cover. I got one tree cleared. The rest will be done another day. Small amounts to keep things from overwhelming.

My new garden patch is cleared and awaits my tending.........

All in due time.

Pat

♥♥ Friends Rock! ♥♥

Here's to the friends that fulfill and enrich our lives with laughter, understanding and the everyday common occurances that bond us all!
This is another box from that went into my By Hand exhibit.

Hugs to all and here's a toast to friends!
TEQUILA!

♥

Pat & Jon

"Art Rocks Box"

85.00

•Day of the Dead Charm Gourd•

Resting today after what has been a roller coaster the last 3 weeks.
At left is a photo of a new gourd I made that is in my exhibit at the By Hand Gallery here in Bloomington.
The exhibit runs through July 4th, 2008.
This is the smallest gourd, but my most intense. It's stamped with numerous playful Day of the Dead stamps and embellished with a plethora of beads and silk
emphemra that exude the passion and color of "Day of the Dead". Around the top I crocheted a wonderful black fringe thread that adds to the fun and texture!
(You can click on my blog photos and they will open in a new window in a larger format)

Patricia

Day of the Dead Charm Gourd
By Hand Gallery

125.00

♥ May 19, 1984 ♥

It was a clear blue sky that greeted the happy couple as they walked hand in hand outside the old Spanish style doors that graced St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Puffy white clouds and palm trees decorated the sky. The bride and groom were both dressed in white. Friends and family wished them well and gathered at a local nature reserve afterward and celebrated. Guests ate and fed apricot flavored white wedding cake to the raccoons on the nature trails and embedded memories that are crystal clear 24 years later.

This is how Jon and I spent May 19, 1984.
We each married our best friend!!
And the rest, as they say, is history.

His story and her story!

I love this man more every day!
Saint Anthony is the patron saint of things missing and we always said he helped us find one another.
The laughter and adventure continue to unfold as we make our journey through life together!
♥♥
Pat

"I See What You Mean"

It's not every day one gets to see a 40 foot tall blue bear. There has been one peering into the Denver Convention Center since we arrived! The permanent installation was done by sculptor Lawrence Argent and titled "I See What You Mean".

Today the big blue bear graced the coming and going of thousands of orthodontists and exhibitors as well as a legion of young high school graduates who donned red caps and gowns. One graduate was with us in the elevator to the parking garage.
We wished her well.
I wanted to say "I know how you feel".
The end of one part of lifes journey with the next unfolding almost too fast.
Both terrifying and exhilarating embodied in one!
I graduated 30 years ago. I remember the feeling!

I think the big blue bear said it best......."I see what you mean"!

There's still snow in the Rockies!
♣
Pat

Booth # 2043 Denver Convention Center

Here we are! Day one over and we're tired. A different kind of tired than an art fair. All in all a good day. We made contact with
hundreds of orthodontists and their staff. Wrote one order. Memories of the Las Vegas AAO had day two bearing better sales and day one folks just window shopping. Spoke with past customers who have loved their work and will be ordering more.
All good. Handed out easily 250 cards!
We like our spot. Location is everything at these pricey real estate shows. We have several tables and chairs across from our booth where impromptu meetings and business lunches occur lending clear sight into our colorful 100 square feet. All in all a day filled with thousands of very well manicured orthodontists. Only here and a gynocologist convention could bear better kept hands!!

Resting up for day two!
Snow still on mountains!
♥
Pat

http://www.artfulsmiles.com