the aftermath

Well, another Heritage days is back of our minds. It was a pretty good weekend over all with the weather. There's no doubt that people are feeling a pinch in economy. There were a lot of people walking around but not much spending going on. The weather was gorgeous! My friend Dave (the Potter Stone - a ceramic artist) was able to make his booth and all from repeat customers in his first 3 sales! Myself, well, I came back negative $25.50. Poo.

Jason continues to ask me why I keep doing this. I guess it's an obsession? I don't know. I mean, I missed one of the biggest cookouts of the summer to go do this show. (but I think my liver is thankful for that one). And I slept on an air mattress on Saturday night; ugh so uncomfortable. And then we're looking for blankets (we stayed at his dad's condo) and Dave said, "Well, there's a couple of big towels here!" I said, "Really, Dave, I'm not that drunk" lol. I had a repeat customer come and visit me on Saturday. I had done a pet portrait for her back in '03(?) and since then, that dog has died. It was her sister's dog and sister has a new dog now and she was saying that she was going to come back on Sunday and give me a picture and a deposit and have one done for her sister's birthday which is at the end of August. I did see her on Sunday, but my booth was full of people and I was talking to some when I saw her walk by. We made eye contact and gave each other a friendly wave but that's it. Okay - so these are the downsides.

the Upside: People love my work. I get such a good feeling when people tell me I have incredible talent. "oh my god, these are water colors??? You're GOOD!" I did have a pair of women comment on my "Girls and Horses" painting. She really wanted it because it reminded her of herself and her sister. I don't have any prints (just too big to make the simple ones.) So it's a one of a kind piece for a mere $300. But alas, too much for a compulsive buy? I don't know. Hopefully someone will call me for a commission. I haven't had one since Christmas.

And congradulations to Mary Fisher of Cohasset on being the winner of the gift certificate for a 5x7" painting!!

Monday 7/28

hello and welcome to Monday July 28th.

I was able to put up the 3 dogs on the website, but I haven't received any feedback on it. I'm not all that surprised. It's okay.

I've looked into marketing myself on a more global level but need to know how to get my name out to all those international animal lovers. I've contacted a equestrian website out of the U.K. to advertise there. I emailed to get pricing and such but haven't heard back from anyone. Maybe they don't want to do business with a Yank such as myself? I've decided to go on to Ebay and switch my shipping options to all international, but doing that I'd have to relist all my 200 listings so that's probably not going to happen for a while.

I've also joined Facebook and uploaded pictures of my paintings on to Flickr - simply for more exposure. I sure hope that this will bring in some business as well. Any other ideas.?????


This week, I have to start getting ready for the Scituate Heritage Days. I pray for good weather. 2008 has had a trend for screwing up alot of my weekends weather wise. Just yesterday, for example, my boyfriend and I had gone to the Berkshires for a little R&R and Sunday early afternoon we were caught in a storm so severe, I had to pull to the side of the road; couldn't see 2 feet in front of me. It started coming down so much and then there was hail! I haven't seen hail since Oct of 1999? But it lasted for about 20 minutes and we started driving again only to find that the storm had caused a landslide and a brook blew out right over Rt 20! We had to turn around and decided to hit the road towards home. (what else were we going to do?) And then the traffic! O - it was awful. I was in the car for at least 3 hours and then getting all bugged out! We finally pulled off and got something to eat. By that time the rain had passed and we went to Wachusett Reservoir and caught the most beautiful sunset. Lots of bats too!

But enough about the weather. This week is all about getting ready for the Daze, as this is the show where I usually try something different (last year, I had a raffle for one of my paintings). I don't know what to do for this year, except maybe start showing more landscapes as well as the pet portrait portfolio. But I'm on limited time and budget so it may not be something that grand. I don't know yet.

Somerville Art Beat 2008

This is new to me, so forgive me if I ramble and rant....

I was a vendor at the Somerville Art Beat in Davis Square this last weekend. What a great turnout for such a hot day in the city. They had a stage with live music and lots of food and lots and lots of artists. The theme this year was "Green" as in eco-friendly. I didn't see alot of Green related things, but then again, I usually do these shows by myself so I don't get beyond my booth much.

Lots and lots of dog lovers, but I must admit I was running out of cat magnets they were selling the most. Which I thought was great, being a cat owner myself. I think that there are so many things that are dog related these days but those people don't realize that there are more 5 times as many cats in households than there are dogs. So I always like to keep an array of cat images in my portfolio.

I'm in Scituate the first weekend of August and usually put out my new paintings at this show. I'm not sure if it's going to happen this year, though. Not for lack of new paintings, but the fact that I have to lug everything up to my 3rd floor apartment to flip things around, bring them back to the van only to have to lug everything up again because we're taking the van and 4 other people with us to the Radiohead show, all this in 90 degree plus humidity. So I may just wait until afterthat and exhibit the new things in September. I plan to do the Worcester StART on the street. I've heard that's a good one as well.

So I think what I'll do with this blog is set my list for the week and then come back on Mondays to let you know if they were accomplished or not! I believe by publishing them it may get my butt in gear to get things done.

So this week is to -restock the inventory I sold on Saturday - mail the gift certificates to Poppymart and the CAPS that I promised for their fundraisers - mail more business cards to Dr. Carro vet office - finish the painting of Echo in his birthday hat - and list the "3 dogs" on my website for sale. I think it would look great in a vet office or a groomers office/waiting room.. So I'll be back Monday 7/28 and let you know how I did.