Back from the art show. Lawn needs mowing!

I am home from the 4 Bridges Art Festival in Chattanooga and overall had a wonderful experience. It's hard work setting up and breaking down the tent but my friend went with me and that was so much help. The people running the festival were great. They fed us, were helpful, made everything easy and were friendly. The artists I met were awesome, very encouraging and I know I have made some new friends.

The first night it rained buckets on the pavilion tin roof, who-ah was that loud! I did sell one collage though and the buyer was so nice! The second day the weather sounded more promising but it was windy and cold. I think the visitors under dressed and looked chilled to the bone and miserable. By the end of the day I had sold nothing and felt a little defeated. We couldn't sell prints at this event and I realize originals are quite an investment.

Sunday was gorgeous. My booth was packed all day. And although sales were not happening I was really enjoying the people. I loved how they would study each piece and then I would see them begin to laugh at the humor in my art. People spent a long time in my tent and asked many questions. I felt really appreciated from all the kind compliments and notice of the details in my art. A few gallery owners came in too. Almost a full box of business cards, stack of brochures and postcards were gone by the end of the weekend.

Last five minutes of the festival the coolest couple came in and bought three collages! Then when I got home a very nice person contacted me and bought "Push Mower" the one I have posted here. Even though I only broke even, I feel like the festival was a huge success. I hope I am invited to come back next year. It feels so cool to know five of my collages will be hanging somewhere special and that I was able to meet the people that have them.

I though Push Mower was a good pic to post on this blog entry because with being so busy my yard is now a jungle of overgrown weeds and grass! I have lots of mowing and weed wacking to do and hopefully plant my vegetable garden this weekend too. If only I could make real robots..

:)
Cathy

My first fine art festival this weekend!

This weekend I will be setting up my booth at the 4 Bridges Art Festival in Chattanooga TN. It has been rated as one of the top 100 fine art fairs for 2011. Last year there was 18,000 visitors! Only 150 artists were chosen out of 700 applicants. There will also be awards for artists.
The first night is a private art show party which oughta be really cool.

So I've been busy all winter getting ready for this event. I have 48 pieces of art to show. Last night I spent hours putting logo stickers on shopping bags, touching up frames and taking inventory of all the little things I'll need for the weekend.

Last week I bought a pop-up counter and directors chair. Most I looked at were either a fortune or black which I thought was too modern looking for my old fashion art. So, I spent a tad more and bought a gray counter (wood top) and found a gray and brown chair. The counter has a fabric front. I bought plastic picture hooks that have sticky paper to glue to the wall but replaced it with velcro. This way I can hang a few of my mini art on the counter front.
I have brochures, cards and post cards, a guest book and a banner. Once there, will buy some flowers ( gotta remember..pack a vase) and even bringing a small candy dish. So many details!

I rented a room for 3 nights and it has a kitchen so that will help with not eating out. My neighbor is feeding my cats. I think I'm ready.

I am really excited about going, although I may come home completely broke. I always have a "plan B" which is to raid my IRA for like the sixth time! (ouch) But there is no way I will miss out on something this cool and a great opportunity. Wish me luck!

4 Bridges Art Festival

OWOH the beautiful things I won!

Things I won from the OWOH 2011 event were being delivered from near and far. Sorry it took so long to get to this post. I have a big art festival next week and have been spending much time in the studio. However, I am so thrilled with getting these treasures in the mail and making new friends. If you were part of OWOH this year, you may remember visiting these creative people and their delightful blogs. If not, I am excited to share with you the things I was sent and links so you can visit them too!

Christina Alejandro from Manila, Philippines sent me a pretty bracelet and necklace with sayings, a cat ring and clips she makes and sells at the papemelroti site . Would have done a close up but wanted to show her awesome doodles and the nice note book she sent too. How sweet to open this and find so many goodies! She makes awesome jewelry, photography, collages and sketches!
You can visit's Christina's blog at calej d'art



Isn't this adorable! Julie Stratton made this hat just for me! The stitches are perfect, she knows how to crochet! It sure makes me feel special to wear it. Her blog is full of great conversation, wisdom and recipes too!
Julie's blog is called Sugar and all that's Nice so you know it's a nice blog to visit!






Sabine from Germany made this super cool paper doll! The arms and legs are jointed and it is all hand colored. This beauty wants to dance to the sheet music she sent too.
I love how it spells "art" down the front. Her blog is all about her wonderful collage and mixed media art.
You can visit Sabine at her blog Stempeltanz , lots of art to inspire you!












Carol Hanson lives in Tennessee too! She made me this "Love Dove Mug Rug". That makes me smile! It's so pretty I don't want to spill coffee on it but I am going to use it. I will keep it in my art studio to remind me of my talented OWOH friends.
You can visit Carol and see lots of projects that she has done. I don't sew as much as I used to but know I can get lots of ideas at her blog
Stitch Across The Border




I am in love with this fox! Zan Asha draws and wood burns the most precious images. I am so proud to have a piece of her art.
I've never met Zan but feel an instant connection to her spirit and creativity. She has an open invitation to park her wagon of horses at my home, hope she brings me some Bronx Bees honey. You just have to go read her blog to learn about that!
Be sure to visit Zan's etsy shop vagabondcreations and her blog that is titled Beyond Vagabond .










I LOVE ATC's (artist trading cards), so I was thrilled when RosA from Australia not only made me one but NINE!!
And all of them so wonderful to add to my collection.
RosA is never out of ideas either, you can visit her blog
Paperchase and see piles of materials turn into clever and beautiful cards. Wonderful!








I won these gorgeous notecards from Colleen Conrad who is an incredible watercolor painter.
I am in awe of her talent and creativity. I may mail a note card, which are nicely made, to someone special but these are so beautiful one or two may end up in a frame on my wall!
Colleen's blog is Edge Of The Woods Studio where you can also follow a link to her main on line gallery. I think she is going to be famous one day!