Welcome, June!

I know, I know. It's not June yet. But it might as well be. This holiday weekend is a welcome break from all of my May activities. I've been moving non-stop for the past six weeks preparing for Magic City, painting needlepoint canvases and preparing for commencement. At this moment, I'm sitting in my studio eating bon-bon's and basking in the after glow of my son's graduation from college, last weekend. Friends and family gathered in Atlanta to celebrate and, I must say, a good time was had by all! The crowning moment, for me, was when my Prince arrived at the luncheon that I was hosting for him. He entered the banquet room, grinning from ear to ear, with his entourage of friends. Impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal gray suit, crisp white shirt, and silk power tie, he stands exactly 6' 5" and uses every inch of his height when "working" a room - charming doesn't begin to describe him. 47 attendees stood and applauded, chanted his name in unison, patted him on his back, shook his hand and kissed his cheeks as he made his way towards me . . .and handed me his degree. It was a Kodak moment if ever there was one. In two months, he'll begin the next chapter of his life as a law student. Yes, his mama is all puffed up and as proud as can be!

Okay, here's the update on the art happenings! The ONB/Magic City Art Festival last month was GREAT! I'm now focusing every waking hour preparing for my next venue which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 2nd and June 3rd. It's ART IN THE GARDENS located in Hoover, at the Aldridge Botanical Gardens. I'm posting my mailer. If you're in Birmingham next week-end, stop by Aldridge Botanical Gardens and say hi. I'll be set up in the Pavillion area. Oh, and as always . . . pray for sunshine and blue skies.

I Survived My First 3-Day Art Festival!

I suppose that you're wondering why I must always put an exclamation point behind every title that I post. Well, if you must know . . . I stay excited about all things art and art related (with the exception of my 9 to 5 job). I'm especially excited about the progress that I'm making with my block printing and needlepoint designs! If I knew 10 years ago what I know now, lordy, I'd be sooooo far ahead of the game. But all things in time, I suppose.

My display is very minimalistic because I'm still building inventory. But I'm told that the stark black and white imagery really stands out surrounded by rows and rows of color filled canopy tents. I'll post a corner of my booth. Yes, the framed prints are supported by chicken wire! Before I forget, much thanks to all who stopped by during the festival. I appreciate your support.

The Magic City Art Festival was a great venue for me. I met so many interesting people! You'll remember that this was just my second art festival. I'm now two for two. I've decided that I will continue to apply for future festivals but they will have to be juried and, for now, located within Alabama. I'm not quite ready to travel beyond the state line yet. I need a truck/van, a sturdier canopy tent, modular wall units, a reliable hands-on, can-do friend/helper, etc. Two gallery owners expressed interest in carrying my block prints. I'll drive to Decatur, Alabama, in a couple of weeks for a meeting.

It has taken me all week to recoup from last weekend. I took Monday off but still felt quite tired when I returned to work on Tuesday. I really need to get my tush in gear, again, and start cutting more designs. I have another festival coming up the first weekend in June. It'll be here before you know it. This one will be held at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover. I still haven't figured out how to set up web links (even tho my daughter has explained the process to me twice), but just GOOGLE Aldridge Gardens Art Festival in Hoover and the info will appear. I'm participating in another juried event sponsored by the Academy of Fine Arts, Inc., the 18th Annual SOUTHERN ROOTS Exhibition. The opening day is May 14th. Also, I received notification that my work has been accepted for the 44th Bluff Park Festival which will take place the first weekend in October 2007. Yea!

The next couple of weeks will be busy for me. I'm preparing for my son's commencement. Family members and friends are gathering in ATL on graduation day to honor my Prince, it'll feel like a family reunion. Thankfully, I secured a banquet room at one of my favorite restaurants in ATL. One can't ever plan too early for commencement . . . or for an art festival.