http://www.thebaynet.com/events/index.cfm/fa/viewEventdetails/eventID/3864
Blue Wind Gourmet in southern Maryland is hosting a fundraising event each week for Patuxent Habitat for Humanity.
Each week, the gourmet store is featuring a different artist. I will be featured the week of November 5-11!
The Artist reception is from 5-7pm on Wednesday, November 5th.
I'm very excited to go and set up one week from today... I still have to actually finish unpacking my artwork though, and figure out which to bring with me!
And since moving.... I really do miss Blue Wind. I love their sandwiches and especially their pizzas, and I have yet to find anywhere comparable in the Burg. But since I'll be home once a month or so, hopefully I will get a chance to indulge then.
It's lunch time, and now my mouth is watering.... thinking about the cornstarch pizza crust... and made-from-scratch salad dressings...
Damn.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Ain't That a Kick in the Crotch?
A play-by-play of the Neptune show in Virginia Beach last weekend.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24:
7:35pm: I make two piles of art show stuff in my garage: Essentials that have to go, and a "Nice To Have" pile. I'm renting a car for the trip, and I prepare my piles in case I get stuck with a smallish SUV. I want to be prepared if there are some things that won't fit.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
3:01pm: Drive to Enterprise. There is a mean looking black Dodge Caravan in the packing lot. It's awesome. I hope it is for me.
3:07pm: The Dodge is mine. I can't believe this bad-ass van is all mine for the whole weekend. This is a good omen. The weekend is going to be perfect. I can tell.
3:23pm: The Caravan is a blast to drive. I feel like I'm in a tank. What could be cooler than driving a tank? I'm ready to take on the world!!! Time to load up this bad boy!
3:25pm: Rain. Lots of rain. Back the van into the garage to fascilitate loading.
5:27pm: Everything fits into the van perfectly. I can bring all of my essentials and the nice-to-haves, too. AND I can even see clearly out of ALL the van's windows! Nothing can go wrong! I AM INVINCIBLE! Time for my mom and me to hit the road!
5:45pm: Huge rain storm. Soooo.... much.... rain. But that's okay... because I know that the rain will come tonight, and by tomorrow morning the weather will be PERFECT!
9:35pm: Arrive in Virginia Beach.
9:37pm: Arrive at our hotel and check in. Guess what? FREE UPGRADE! We are oceanfront!! I go move the van into the parking garage. The wind is INSANE and I return to our room to find I am now sporting a brand new 'do: Dreadlocks.
10:25pm: Lights out and time for bed! It's going to be a wonderful weekend!! I'm so excited!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
7:45am: I wake up. The sun is peeking through clouds, shining brightly into our room. I knew it. It's going to be a beautiful day.
7:50am: I look down at the boardwalk and see lots of artists setting up.... What the heck? We aren't even supposed to register until 9:00am. And we aren't supposed to be on the boardwalk without registering first. But now that I'm awake, I might as well take advantage of it and go set up, too.
8:15am: I move the van down near the boardwalk entrance. I make trips with the cart for my tent, panels, drop cloths (which I won't need because the weather will be amazing), tables, prints, and art to my designated spot. While setting up, I meed Beebee and Virginia, of the Hummingbird Candle Company, who have the space next to me. They are super sweet and have tons of great advice. Even better.... they have a ridiculous sense of humor. I love it. We are all laughing so much.
10:00am: I'm done setting up, so Mom and I decide to go register (oops) and get some much needed food. STARVING!
10:11am: We find the registration "tent" (actually a big truck with a red sign that is sitting in the truck, not out anywhere). I get my paperwork. I also meet my neighbor, Chris, of Aqua Exposure. He seems about my age, which is rare at shows I've been to, and he's super nice.
11:14am: I plan to head back to the room to shower and actually put some effort into my appearance... But while walking back, we realize almost all of the artists are open for business, even though the show isn't technically supposed to start until 4:00pm (late start due to the weather). But the boardwalk is packed. The weather is nice. I better get to my booth, even if I look like a bum. 
7:00pm: The show is over for today. I close my tent and wrap the few things I leave behind in many, many drop cloths, in case of rain. But it's going to be a gorgeous weekend. If I make sure I protect everything, I'll reverse-jinx myself against rain.
8:15pm: Dinner.
9:35pm: Back in the hotel room. Weather check for tomorrow... Forecast: Questionable.
10:51pm: Another weather check. Still questionable.
11:12pm: Weather check. General yuckiness in the vicinity..... but I'm sure it will be nice tomorrow.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
8:11am: I wake up. Looks overcast outside. Looking out of the window I see.... puddles. Rain. Flooding. It's grotesque out there.
10:00am: The show officially opens. There are like 2 people out on the boardwalk. I walk next door and ask Beebee if I can peek at the radar map she has on her phone- I see this.
(actual screen capture. not enhanced.)
11:47am: The rain stops, a little. But it's still all misty and damp and cold. People slowly emerge out of their rooms and onto the boardwalk out of sheer boredom. Weather remains questionable most of the rest of the day.
2:37pm: Sun!
3:01pm: Sun? Yes it is... I think? Wait. Are those more storm clouds?
3:12pm: Are they coming this way? I think they are.
3:14pm: But there is blue sky right here. Now the sun is out. I see a shadow... Yes that's definitely sun. It's totally going to clear up out here.
3:15pm: Those clouds are definitely coming this way. Fast. Craaaap. Bring in the prints and secure the drop cloths.
7:00pm: Close of the show. Definitely a better day than yesterday, but sales were still not very impressive- especially with all the hype there was from other artists about this show.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
7:56am: I wake up to a bright beam of sun shining on my face. It's going to be a wonderful day, better than yesterday. It HAS to be, right?
10:00am: The show opens. A surprising amount of people are out and about for a Sunday morning.
10:12am: It looks like it might get nasty out here.
10:25am: A little shower moves through.... but seems like it will pass quickly.
11:00am: Weather is stilll questionable. Damn.
5:35pm: Most artists are packing up. The show ends at 6:00pm today, and it's going to be a nasty rush for everyone to get everything to their cars, I am sure.
6:00pm: And so it begins. Take down.
6:45pm: I take down my artwork first to haul up to the van (still in the parking garage). I actually manage to get all of the artwork, on the hand cart, up the steeeeeeep hill of the parking garage without slipping and falling and having the artwork and handcart run me over and go cascading down the ramp. Amazing.
6:47pm: It's pouring rain again. Neptune manages to get in one last kick to the crotch. I have only just begun to load up the van and luckily, somehow, the artwork manages to not get ruined.
7:56am: I wake up to a bright beam of sun shining on my face. It's going to be a wonderful day, better than yesterday. It HAS to be, right?
10:00am: The show opens. A surprising amount of people are out and about for a Sunday morning.
10:12am: It looks like it might get nasty out here.
10:25am: A little shower moves through.... but seems like it will pass quickly.
11:00am: Weather is stilll questionable. Damn.
5:35pm: Most artists are packing up. The show ends at 6:00pm today, and it's going to be a nasty rush for everyone to get everything to their cars, I am sure.
6:00pm: And so it begins. Take down.
6:45pm: I take down my artwork first to haul up to the van (still in the parking garage). I actually manage to get all of the artwork, on the hand cart, up the steeeeeeep hill of the parking garage without slipping and falling and having the artwork and handcart run me over and go cascading down the ramp. Amazing.
6:47pm: It's pouring rain again. Neptune manages to get in one last kick to the crotch. I have only just begun to load up the van and luckily, somehow, the artwork manages to not get ruined.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
About Artsfest 2008
http://www.annmariegarden.org/Events/Artsfest/index.htm
Artsfest was wonderful, just as it was last year!
"Palmera Del Coco" & Me
I love this show. Now that I've done two other sizable outdoor shows and have something to compare it to, this one might still be my favorite. I also love being in the woods! You have about as much room as you want to spread out all of your things! ...If the weather cooperates of course. And the weather was absolutely perfect, so there were lots of people about.
I should have gotten this nice man's name.
We were talking about CCD and bees,
and he recommended the book "Robbing the Bees" to me-
which I received in the mail yesterday!
This year they gave us coupons for free cups of coffee in their new Cafe--- Awesome, and the coffee was even good!!! Who ever heard of a GOOD cup of FREE coffee!?
Annnnnnd...
I even sold my original Red-Eyed Tree Frog painting! I'm so excited when I sell an original. For lots of reasons... of course you have to price them higher than just a print. So it's really flattering when someone loves a piece that much, that they want the real-deal.
Also, it's less crap for me to have to carry back home.
And in a way, I feel like it gives me an excuse to paint something new.
I think I can hear thunder outside- so I'ma go ahead and post this, and--- oh looky! I just got the pics from my dad, so I'll add em, then post. He took lots of pics, which was great, because now I have a more accurate booth representation when I submit my Booth Shot for an art show application.
My sweet husband, probably contemplating how the hell
to get out of helping me take everything down
and get it back home
Ok for real. thunder.
TTFN,
SG
Artsfest was wonderful, just as it was last year!
"Palmera Del Coco" & Me 
I should have gotten this nice man's name.We were talking about CCD and bees,
and he recommended the book "Robbing the Bees" to me-
which I received in the mail yesterday!
This year they gave us coupons for free cups of coffee in their new Cafe--- Awesome, and the coffee was even good!!! Who ever heard of a GOOD cup of FREE coffee!?
Annnnnnd...
I even sold my original Red-Eyed Tree Frog painting! I'm so excited when I sell an original. For lots of reasons... of course you have to price them higher than just a print. So it's really flattering when someone loves a piece that much, that they want the real-deal.
Also, it's less crap for me to have to carry back home.
And in a way, I feel like it gives me an excuse to paint something new.
I think I can hear thunder outside- so I'ma go ahead and post this, and--- oh looky! I just got the pics from my dad, so I'll add em, then post. He took lots of pics, which was great, because now I have a more accurate booth representation when I submit my Booth Shot for an art show application.
My sweet husband, probably contemplating how the hell to get out of helping me take everything down
and get it back home
Ok for real. thunder.
TTFN,
SG
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Advice for Arteests: Part 1
Scoring, Folding, & Cutting Cards
While I'm in the mode of doing 2 art shows back to back, I'm doing a lot of preparation. I figured as I'm doing so, I should write it down- first of all, so I don't forget how to do it next time, and second of all, because maybe it will help someone else who needs some guidance.
Me giving guidance? Eh, despite what you may think, hell has indeed not frozen over...
So, here is how I scored, folded, and cut out all my cards for Artsfest, and how I will do so tomorrow night in preparation for Neptune this weekend.
Supplies- You will need:
Cool.
Now you're ready. Chug your first glass of wine and let's begin. Yes.. At your own risk.
Step 1: Lay down your magazine on a kitchen counter or other hard surface. Place your card on top of that. Align your ruler so that it's touching or very close to touching the graphic on your card- if your graphic doesn't have a full bleed, it's going to be a little more tricky, obviously. So in my example I'm using a card with a full bleed cause it's easier to 'splain.
Step 2: Now take your non-serrated knife and run it along the edge of your ruler. Hard. Do it back and forth a couple of times- hard enough to get a good, straight crease in the paper. If you start seeing dust and shreddings of paper flying about, you did it too hard and your card is now rendered useless- but no worries, continue on with this card as though you did it correctly the first time and use it as your guinea pig. (Is PETA going to be pissed that I said that?? ....Cause we're going to cut it up in a minute.)
Step 3: Now fold your card along the crease you just made- you can lay it down on your flat surface and just press down on it with your fingers. Next, pick up your blunt object
No.
Not that.
Put that away till you're done with your cards.
Ahem.
Pick up whatever round/blunt tool you chose for pressing on the crease. Run it firmly along the crease a couple of times and get it nice and flat.
Sweet.
Step 4- Now for the fun stuff! Place your card on the paper cutter and cut off all the excess paper around the edges. I line up one of the graphic edges with the paper cutter edge and lop off an extra 1/16" or so- no one'll miss it. Then repeat that for the other two sides.
Folding your card before cutting it means no little white edges peeking out from the sides of cuts that weren't too straight-and if you are having wine or anything, or if it's 2:AM, or both, you need all the help you can get.
While I'm in the mode of doing 2 art shows back to back, I'm doing a lot of preparation. I figured as I'm doing so, I should write it down- first of all, so I don't forget how to do it next time, and second of all, because maybe it will help someone else who needs some guidance.
Me giving guidance? Eh, despite what you may think, hell has indeed not frozen over...
So, here is how I scored, folded, and cut out all my cards for Artsfest, and how I will do so tomorrow night in preparation for Neptune this weekend.
Supplies- You will need:
- Paper cutter (mine was around $90, you can find them at a reasonable cost)
- Hard, flat surface and something thin and flat to protect that surface- like a magazine
- Non-serrated butter knife
- Rula
- Something somewhat rounded that you can press down the crease with, that won't damage the card- I used a measuring spoon
- Good music to listen to
- Recepticle for card trimmings, preferably your recycle bin!
- Your cards, silly
- Probably a glass of wine or two, at your own risk of course *
Cool.
Now you're ready. Chug your first glass of wine and let's begin. Yes.. At your own risk.
Step 1: Lay down your magazine on a kitchen counter or other hard surface. Place your card on top of that. Align your ruler so that it's touching or very close to touching the graphic on your card- if your graphic doesn't have a full bleed, it's going to be a little more tricky, obviously. So in my example I'm using a card with a full bleed cause it's easier to 'splain.
Step 2: Now take your non-serrated knife and run it along the edge of your ruler. Hard. Do it back and forth a couple of times- hard enough to get a good, straight crease in the paper. If you start seeing dust and shreddings of paper flying about, you did it too hard and your card is now rendered useless- but no worries, continue on with this card as though you did it correctly the first time and use it as your guinea pig. (Is PETA going to be pissed that I said that?? ....Cause we're going to cut it up in a minute.)
Step 3: Now fold your card along the crease you just made- you can lay it down on your flat surface and just press down on it with your fingers. Next, pick up your blunt object
No.
Not that.
Put that away till you're done with your cards.
Ahem.
Pick up whatever round/blunt tool you chose for pressing on the crease. Run it firmly along the crease a couple of times and get it nice and flat.
Sweet.
Step 4- Now for the fun stuff! Place your card on the paper cutter and cut off all the excess paper around the edges. I line up one of the graphic edges with the paper cutter edge and lop off an extra 1/16" or so- no one'll miss it. Then repeat that for the other two sides.
Folding your card before cutting it means no little white edges peeking out from the sides of cuts that weren't too straight-and if you are having wine or anything, or if it's 2:AM, or both, you need all the help you can get.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Not easy being green... part 2
But not impossible, either!!
In part of my efforts to make my artwork/prints more eco friendly, I ordered a big ol' box o' paper from Neenah. I ordered Neenah Environment Paper PC 100 White in 80lb cardstock. I chose this paper because it's acid free and archival, which is important for artwork. 80lb is a nice, heavy weight for prints or cards or original work. The best part? It's also 100% recycled and 100% post consumer recycled fibers, which is really hard to find in acid free/archival quality and in a color other than "natural" or something pigmented. This is very, very white, wonderful paper!
**It's also processed chlorine free, FSC Certified (I know there are mixed viewpoints on that, but with this paper and the other credentials it seems like a good thing), and Green-E Certified. You can read more about the benefits of Neenah Environment Paper here!! **
After the Seawall Art Show, I was surprisingly low on note card/greeting card inventory. I was trying to figure out the best option for both my wallet and the environment, since at the moment I just can't afford to get all of my cards from greenerprinter.com (although I would like to, eventually). I decided to take my Neenah over to the local Staples and have all of my cards printed on it. Before placing the order, Staples printed one example proof and I loved it- so I have been able to replenish my whole inventory of cards. Seeing as how there aren't any local printers (that I know of) who would be able to print with solar or wind power and soy inks, I think this was the next best option. I was able to print on the best paper I could find (eco-friendly-wise), and have it done quickly and locally- no shipping!- and the cards look great.
Of course, that also meant that I had to cut, score, and fold the cards myself, and I'm still looking around for recycled paper envelopes. But I figure the energy I spent putting all the physical labor into the cards burned some extra calories for me, Yay!, and had to have saved energy from some machine somewhere that would have had to do it otherwise.
Ok... Back to the cutting/scoring/folding now.
In part of my efforts to make my artwork/prints more eco friendly, I ordered a big ol' box o' paper from Neenah. I ordered Neenah Environment Paper PC 100 White in 80lb cardstock. I chose this paper because it's acid free and archival, which is important for artwork. 80lb is a nice, heavy weight for prints or cards or original work. The best part? It's also 100% recycled and 100% post consumer recycled fibers, which is really hard to find in acid free/archival quality and in a color other than "natural" or something pigmented. This is very, very white, wonderful paper!
**It's also processed chlorine free, FSC Certified (I know there are mixed viewpoints on that, but with this paper and the other credentials it seems like a good thing), and Green-E Certified. You can read more about the benefits of Neenah Environment Paper here!! **
After the Seawall Art Show, I was surprisingly low on note card/greeting card inventory. I was trying to figure out the best option for both my wallet and the environment, since at the moment I just can't afford to get all of my cards from greenerprinter.com (although I would like to, eventually). I decided to take my Neenah over to the local Staples and have all of my cards printed on it. Before placing the order, Staples printed one example proof and I loved it- so I have been able to replenish my whole inventory of cards. Seeing as how there aren't any local printers (that I know of) who would be able to print with solar or wind power and soy inks, I think this was the next best option. I was able to print on the best paper I could find (eco-friendly-wise), and have it done quickly and locally- no shipping!- and the cards look great.
Of course, that also meant that I had to cut, score, and fold the cards myself, and I'm still looking around for recycled paper envelopes. But I figure the energy I spent putting all the physical labor into the cards burned some extra calories for me, Yay!, and had to have saved energy from some machine somewhere that would have had to do it otherwise.
Ok... Back to the cutting/scoring/folding now.
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