Back from Apple Butter Stirrin Festival

Facing East

Facing West

Long Horn WIP

My Cosume & Booth

Well I am back, got back yesterday afternoon, played catch-up with some animal care and did not get my camera out of the vehicle until this morning for posting.  I feel blessed to have had great weather at this festival.  It had good attendance.  I got alot of interest and promises for commissions.  Did not sell well  again though, about six greeting cards.  Quite a few men and one lady who said they would buy the eagle or the hawk if they could afford it.  The lady across from me selling dish towels with a cloth addition added onto them for draping over a kitchen drawer handle said she made the booth fees (about $100 depending on if your demonstrated or not) several times over.

There was only one other purely 2-D artist.  She is on the a national circuit and said not to think it was my art, that things have not gone well for the last two years.  She was very upset about people taking pictures of her art and then making her own prints.  She posted signs to prevent this, but as they were being ignored, by the third day, she was posting that taking a picture of a work would result in the individual being charged the cost of that work.  She was planning on calling the police if necessary.  Any thoughts on this problem of people taking photos to make their own print?

I enjoyed getting some folk art animals in trade from another vendor for one of my prints. I gave one to my mom and kept the other for myself.

I have posted the only picture I have of myself to show my costume, I think my expression is lousy, though.

I got a little further on the longhorn than I have shown here by the end of the last day, but did not get a photo, will probably update on that later this week. 
I would like to just keep working on that, but vowed to attend to some very badly needed clean-up work around the farm once the shows were done, so will be starting on that until maybe the weekend.  Thanks for stopping by!

Off to Festival Today, Hawk finished - Demo started

I finished the hawk, this is not the best photo, but best I could do this morning before I frame it to take with me to the Roscoe Apple Butter Stirrin Festival.  I am a little more behind than I had planned to be.  I made a kitty rehoming run into the city yesterday that I did not plan.  I have had so many no shows for people saying they were coming out to look at them, that I thought it was best to jump on it.  I am fretting over him though and will be calling the new home later this morning to see how things are going.  I have offered to take any back if not what they expected/having problems adjusting. 

My set up is not until 4:00 P.M., but have a lot to do before then and plan to leave about 2:00 P.M.  I wanted to work a little more on my demo that I started Tuesday, yesterday, but did not get the chance.  I am supposed to post demo times scheduled four times a day for the three days of the festival.  I like to do the experimental backgrounds I am starting to do with mineral spirits along with the colored pencil on my own -- I may not get that chance today with backing and organizing.  Will be scary to do that kind of thing in front of people, might chicken out, will see.  Anyway, here is the sketch of the demo.  I had some photos of longhorns I took this summer.  I spent hours sorting through them and messing with what composition to choose.  My sketch is a little looser than some I do before transfer, but feel o.k. with that (except for adding the background, which I plan to ad lib a bit).  It is 18x24, and as long as I don't mess it up, it will keep me busy the three days.

The set-up is until 8:00 P.M., but it will be dark by 7:30 -- so probably have to get up early tomorrow to finish up to be open by 9:30.  The show runs 10 to 6 on Friday and Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday.  The participants were asked to be ready by 9:30 though when tourist bus sometimes arrive.  I still have to work on my early 1800's garb, do barn chores, and pack.  Wish me luck and thanks for checking in!  I will post pictures of the show when I return, Monday.

Finished Portraits and Kitty Delivery Service

I emailed a copy of the finished portraits last night and they were approved.  Keep in mind they are only 3.5 by 5.5 inches  with custom requests in the compositions.  This is  a size I definitely have not done. I admire those even smaller ACEO artists all the more now.

Great Dane in Historic Home

Great Dane Puppy

I have been busy with tax prep classes and trying to find the seven kitties in the second litter homes.  I did mange to get the mother caught and spayed.  I have only found two of the kittens homes thus far, but I believe they are good homes and both have promised to update me.  I have several other possiblilities with  some no shows and not acceptable homes.  I would like to be able to get my car in the garage before it snows.  Was still doing that with the first litter, but put it outside when these seven began to waunder.

These Orange Tabby Males Are the Sweetest

One of the three Fuzzy Wuzzy Boys

Tortieshell Girl

Cute Tinie  Girl found good home

I have a fair, The Apple Butter Stirr'n Festival next week.  It will be only the second time I have put up my tent myself and the first time on concrete.  I have opted for several "cheap" weight options, though still playing with that. I hope to get there right at set up time so as not to be crowded in my tent set up, do not think there are any voluteers at this one. I am supposed to be dressed somewhat to the period of 1803, have to work on that a little too.  At least set up is the day before, no tear down will be another story. My mom nearby, so I will be staying with her.  I hope to finish the Hawk and start a really good demo before then.