What am I going to do this summer???

So, this past week I found that my artwork was not accepted into the Somerville ArtBeat. At first I was like, WTF??!?! because I've done it for the past 2 years and had great responses to my stuff and I was broad casted on the Somerville Cable TV!! This letter, which included my check with VOID written across the front, really set my week off on the wrong foot. But then I'm thinking (and as I read my previous posts) I really don't mind NOT sitting out in the hot sun all day. And that it frees my weekend up in the middle of summer to do .... another show?? I don't know. I'm finding that these festivals are a lot of the same. Now, there's is nothing wrong with wanting to be creative and selling your wares, but these shows are filled to the brim with women who make their own handbags, hats and headbands. Not to mention the handmade soaps. Or the over saturation of Jewelry makers. I've heard some interesting comments over the last few years about these shows. Some are saying that they are "boring" and there's "nothing new to look at". Others are saying that there's no artwork and they're just filled with "crafters" and that even aren't that great or original.
Then the past weekend I went to the Somerville Open Studios. Each town or district of MA will have it's own open studios (Allston is in November, JP is in September, Vermont has it's own during Memorial Day Weekend). Open Studios is a time where artists open up their studios and/houses to guests to view and purchase their artwork. What's great is that you see first hand where all the art is created. Some reek of turpentine (I do love that smell!). Some provide snacks. It's all up to the artist of how much he wants to share with the viewer. AND the best artwork is found here. So I think that's going to be my plan is to get in on Open Studios. I was told during the November one that there's only one building that does it and that other artists can set up in the building but no one has opened their Allston home to visitors. Hmmmmmmmmm.

And this is Woody, my brother's Jack Russell. He's a little insane (the dog, not my brother) but my brother adores him. This will be a painting for him for sure :)