Fun and Fantasy

Hi, guys :)

It's been a busy October for me!  I hope you are enjoying this A-MAZING fall season!

I want to share with you some really fun projects I have been working on for CityCentre Houston Fall Art Series and Oni-con X :)  I also want to share a few lessons I have been learning along the way that I hope will be helpful to you. 
This post is longer than usual, but please read to the end.

Lessons!!..(er, tips?)

...from my first art show at CityCentre Houston.  (The next one is Sunday, October 20, 2013.)

CityCentre Houston Fall Art Series

1.  Prepare for Wind!!

We had a table and easels to set up our art.  It was a beautiful day, but windy.  Unfortunately, our easels kept getting blown over!  They were not heavy enough, and the wind was catching the backs of the canvases.  I realized that day, sails on sailboats are sometimes made of canvas!
So, my genius husband figured out that we could hang one canvas on the bottom of the easel by the wire, and drape the wire of the top canvas over the top of the easel. (I wish I had taken a picture.) Problem solved!

Upcoming Events

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CityCentre Houston
Fall Art Series
1st & 3rd Sundays October & November 
2-6 PM

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Oni-con X
2013
October 25-27
Galveston, TX

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Special Release for Fantasy Fans
The first lesson of my new workbook:
Write Anything in Elvish
November 2013

2.  Be Friendly :)

Ok, so maybe that sounds obvious, but sometimes we creatives tend to be introverts.  A great way to avoid being too quiet at your art show is to plan ahead to talk to people.
One way to do that is to make a list of possible conversation topics....ie, the weather, the event activities, observations of the other vendors great work, etc.  The most important conversation point, however, should be stories of your art.  People want to know what inspires you, your process, and why you painted (or made) that certain piece.

So, smile, open up and be friendly!

3.  Meet other Artists!!

This is my most important tip!  Meet other artists!  Take the time to walk around the art show, introduce yourself, and exchange business cards.

I met some really awesome and talented people that I may be able to work with in the future.  For example, I met this really cool Pet Portrait Artist, named Gennie Thompson.  She creates fun, colorful pet portraits and also does parties.  You can check out her website here.

So glad I met her, and if I come across someone who wants a pet portrait, I know who to call :)

I hope these tips are helpful to you!!  Please share your how these tips have helped you, or share your own tips in the comments below!

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Fun!  Special Art Series - Desk Art Originals

After my first show at CityCentre Houston, I wanted to make some paintings that would reflect the feel of the space of the show.  It feels very much like an urban oasis.  Surrounded by tall office buildings and loft apartments, the upscale shopping area is reminiscent of a downtown park.
With this in mind, I am creating an art series called "Desk Art Originals" currently available exclusively at the art show.   These small 6x6 and 5x7 canvases are made to bring a bit of color and life to your desk :)

Bluebird #3

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Fantasy!  Oni-Con X

You may not know this, but I am a BIG FAN of fantasy!   I love fantasy books, movies and art.  So, I have been quietly learning how to write Elvish Calligraphy, Lord of the Rings style.  :)   

It has been really fun and challenging.  

So, beginning with Oni-con X 2013, Galveston TX - October 25-27, I will be offering Elvish Name Art.  I have gotten some really cool paper, calligraphy pens, and body art pens.  (If you are not familiar with Oni-con, it is an anime convention that my kids dragged me into ;))

I am also working on creating a workbook, Write Anything in Elvish (working title) to help you learn to make your own Elvish Calligraphy Art.  More on this later!

Practicing Elvish...."Courage"