Paintings

 A couple of acrylic paintings I did for this Saturday's art fair in Sun City West, AZ.

March Art Fair

 I loved the Sun City West Beaders' displays!  They were so well done!

Half of the fair was inside and the other half outside.  I didn't venture out for photos because it was just too darn hot for me.  I was glad I was in the air conditioning.  Really a fun day!

Santos Art Dolls

 I altered these dolls to create Santos figures; or, as some people refer to them as cage dolls.  I have always been fascinated by them.  Could never afford one, but I am pretty happy with these and will keep one for myself.  I learned a lot in the process of creating these and look forward to experimenting more.

Saturday, Nov. 5th is our local art fair here in Sun City West, Arizona.  It is held in the RH Johnson parking lot and the Rec Center area.  I hope we have a good turn out and the sun stays out.  I also hope I move some inventory.

Abstract Portrait

As I used some crazy textured papers, gels and heavy acrylics and soon this painting took on a life of its own.

Displaying Bead Crochet

 I like creatively displaying my jewelry, even at home.  Above, I mixed up some Apoxie Sculpt and attached it to one of my paintings.  I particularly like this one.

In the green one, I used Command Picture Hanging Strips.  After taking this photo, I can see that the painting needs lighter color, muted tones and a strong transition from dark to light.  But, I'm happy with the Command Strips.  Tomorrow is our local art fair.  I painted some abstracts portraits and a couple of paintings that took on a life of their own.  I will be posting soon.

Art Fair March 2014

 A nice crowd started to gather while I started my polymer clay demonstration.  It was so much fun.  I had some extra help, so I was able to demonstrate polymer clay all day.

I took a quick early morning photo before the fair had opened.  I had a nice location, great weather and had a good time.  All in all, a success I would say.

Polymer Mexican Embroidery

Ever since I watched Penny Jo Couch's polymer clay ribbon embroidery demonstration at the Arizona Polymer Clay Guild (click HERE), I have wanted to give it a try. Penny Jo teaches her faux ribbon embroidery technique (click HERE); most recently at Cabin Fever Clay Fest.  Between Penny Jo's demo and a Mo Clay's video tutorial on how to "embroider" with polymer (click HERE), I finally got the hang of it.  Very fun.  In fact, I am loving it.  The freeform sculpting is right up my alley.  I am doing a polymer clay demonstration today at our local art fair here in Sun City West, Arizona.  I'm looking forward to setting up my booth and spending the day making polymer clay canes, watching people and enjoying the sunshine.  Oh yes, I hope I sell too.

Fall Art Fair 2013

Last Saturday was our local fall art fair.  Early morning set-up was chilly, but a couple of hours later it was sunny, hot and buzzing with people.  Steampunk Annie made her debut and certainly did her part in bringing people in.  I moved her around throughout the day.  I can't wait to start adding bits and pieces of metal to her and change her bird wig to something more futuristic.

I did a polymer clay demo which seemed to help sell my polymer jewelry.  I had fun, did well and am extremely grateful I have a patient and supportive husband.  Also a big thank you to my friends Paula and Opal for letting me take a couple of welcomed breaks.

Spring Art Fair 2013

 

Last Saturday was our one day local art fair - 8 am to 3 pm.  We had beautiful Arizona weather, but we didn't have the number of attendees we normally do.  I had a terrible location (behind a door) due to a glitch in the system. Needless to say, I did not do well.  But, it was in the shade and had a nice breeze, but very little traffic.  The best part of the day was visiting with good friends who stopped by to wish me well.

Fall Art Fair 2012

I ordered some wooden stacking trays from Nilecorp.com (click HERE) to display my jewelry.  Small wooden slats were glued to the inside top to accommodate small cup hooks and sawtooth hangers were nailed to the back.  I received many compliments on the clean design that uniquely showcased each individual piece.

I had a great location at the entrance of the art fair and arranged my booth walls so it had two entrances/exists.  With plenty of room to shop, I was fortunate to sell out of the polymer clay pieces early in the day.

 Lots of friends stopped by to give me support and that really meant a lot to me.

 The weather was beautiful and the crowds were great.  So now I have 3-1/2 months to get ready for the Spring Fair in March.

Spring Art Fair 2011

Some of the handmade baskets......

my fellow artists setting up.....

We had a great crowd all day, beautiful weather and everyone did well in sales.

November Art Fair 2010

Our local art fair was Nov. 6 and I'm just getting around to posting. I'm behind on things because I am having such a good time.

I considered it a success. I talked, laughed, met new people and made a little money. How great is that?

The fair wasn't open yet and we were all in the process of setting up when we were taking these photos. I displayed some sculptured beadwork on some blouses.......I could have sold those blouses 20 times. I kept hearing, "Oh yeah, the beadwork is beautiful, but how much for the blouse?" So much for that display.

Spring Art Fair 2010

The lady who bought this painting went into detail how (in her own home) she duplicated her grandmother's front porch when she was a young girl. Wicker furniture, quilts, hanging plants and vases of flowers. She thought the painting would "finish" the indoor/outdoor room and she was thrilled. I mean really thrilled and it made me feel so good, I can't put it into words.

The lady who bought this painting was actually carrying it on her lap on her flight home tomorrow to Colorado.

The Art Club has a lottery system for what spot we are given and this time I drew an inside spot. I was glad because it was so cold in the morning I was thankful to be inside. The lady to the far right was helping a friend with his bronze sculptures. I ended up moving my booth 4' to the left because we were on top of each other.

These photos were taken before the doors were opened to the public; while everyone was still setting up. I was so glad I was able to move my booth those 4 feet. I was lucky. Wish I would have taken a photo after I had moved it because it looked so much better; just didn't think of it.

My husband helped me all day and I did well. Since I love talking to people and listening to their stories it made for a quick day. I had a great spot, great customers and had a great time. I also got to talk to my best customers-the twin 90 year old brothers-who stopped by to say hello and tell me how much they are still enjoying their paintings. Made my day.

Art Fair Preparation

This is what I did today. I sat and instructed the hubby how to set up my booth in my office area and he hung my paintings and boards of jewelry.

I'm not one of those that can just wing it on art fair morning. I have to set everything up ahead of time and get it exactly the way I want it, take a photo of it, dissemble it and reassemble it at the art fair.

I am checking the sides and corners of all the paintings to make sure they are perfect. Then I need to hang them, print out the price tag and I should be done with these.

The paintings in the above photo need to be worked on. And I have tons of jewelry I need to put the finishing touches on. But, the universe is telling me something different, so I will do what I can and put the rest on hold.

Coming of Age

These photos are from one of Sun City West, Arizona's art fairs. I had a table full of polymer clay art I had sculpted; plus a pastel painting and a couple of acrylic abstracts. The fair is only one day, but during that day, I hear a lot of meaningful stories from people.

I had covered a large gourd (which opened from the top) with polymer clay canes; it was different to say the least. I found a small wooden chair that I also made a design on with the canes. An older woman bought both saying she had always loved art like this "something unique", she said, but never could buy any.

She said her children who were grown adults thought that "stuff" was too weird to be displayed in her home (even though they did not live with her).

She had recently been ill and decided that "you never know what tomorrow may bring, so enjoy today." She bought the gourd and chair and said she had fallen in love with the pieces and they were going in a prominent place in her home.

I was thrilled and grateful, but I asked her if she was prepared for her adult children's criticism and she said softly, "The question is, are they prepared for mine?"

Fall Art Fair 2009

Thought I would post photos of some of the pieces I sold.

Polymer clay, beading, textile, textile hardener, acrylic paint & sealant.

Acrylic paintings.

Air dry polymer clay "Flower Boxes".

Fall Art Fair 2009

Setting up the tent in the dark! Looks like the hubby is holding torn material, but those are the expanding tent legs. It was around 5:45 A.M. and it was still dark as night.

Finally daylight by 7:30 A.M. I took some quick pictures of my booth. I had a wonderful spot with lots of space right at the entrance to the art section of the fair.

Art Fair Tips

I'm not too hyper. But I thought as long as I was packing everything for the fair tomorrow, I may as well pass along some helpful hints. Transporting paintings that are 36" to 48" from the car/trailer to your booth can be cumbersome. But not with a handy dandy canvas bag. I bought some heavy canvas duck material and sewed up the sides and some sturdy straps and they work great. I place a piece of cardboard between each painting and that keeps the abrasion to a minimum.

I made various sizes starting at 36"x40" and on up. I made 3 to carry paintings and two to carry my check out stand and shelves.

To transport the smaller paintings, I use a plastic box; again with pieces of cardboard between each painting.

I forgot who gave me this tip, but it saves your walls and fingers. You can use a 3" piece of aquarium tubing to cover the hanging wires (where you attach the wires at the screw eyes). I also use masking tape at the 3 points of tension; by the two screw eyes and where it will hang on a picture hanger.

To transport small paintings, I have these inexpensive, sturdy bags (below) we picked up in Mexico.

I finished stringing all my pendants and my fingers are full of Krazy Glue (there went the manicure). So I am off to set the alarm for 4:30 and to get a good night's sleep.