LONG, LONG, LONG POST

Where has this entire week GONE to? WOW. Last weekend, we had the delightful pleasure of doing a Fourth of July art show in Mentone, AL. Mentone is a small, quaint little town with a tremendous amount of personality and charm. We drove up on Friday to claim our spot--and then went to a wonderful place called The Wildflower Cafe for dinner. One of our friends had invited us, and the food was MAGNIFICENT, and FRESH..and absolutely delicious. They had live music, a singer named Mattie--who happens to be the son of the friend that invited us. We met the chef/owner, Ben and his wife Moon..and basically had a relaxing great time.


There was also this really cool woodcarver there. A real "down-home" boy, and his work was so cool! Chuck had looked at his stuff, and came back talking about this one piece--it was of a tree, and it had a raccoon in it, and at the base of the tree, there was a coon dog. The dog reminded me so much of my beloved (R.I.P) Petey the Wonderdog. So, as soon as my husband walked away, I ran over there and bought the piece for him. He rarely says that he likes anything, so I always try to buy him the things that he does like.

There were a lot of other artist there, but these two were just ones that really caught our eye. God, I love art shows!!

On the other side of things (I have fought with writing this on my blog)--you know--the real life side of things...I have been dealing with the death of my father (and I do use that term lightly here). He died, Wednesday was a week ago. It was not a surprise, as he has had a bad heart forever, and he had already had them turn off his defibrillator, and take him off of his meds. I can't honestly say that I have been sad, in fact--I have struggled more with the internal turmoil of feeling nothing. We weren't close. We had not spoke in many, many years. The few times that we have spoken since I was 15 years old, have ended badly, or with no emotion whatsoever..He was mean, and abusive, and never said a positive thing to me my whole life. But, you know..this is the best case scenario of taking a negative, and turning it positive. What he put me through (and I won't bore you with details)..it made me strong. It made me fight for happiness in my life. It made me see the good in the world, and seek out that good. It made obstacles seem like tiny molehills, and made them easier to climb. It made me spend my whole life to prove him WRONG....and I know I succeeded in that. So, basically--I thank him. I didn't go see him before he died, and I did not go to his memorial service. It's truly his loss. His loss that he never got to know me, or gave himself the chance to love me. There I have said what I feel I needed to say. Sorry to clog up this blogland world with it all...

On to happier things!!! Friday night, we decided to try a small show in Huntsville, AL..well, we got there, got set up, and then the skies opened up. All the other artist only had tables with their stuff on it, and they grabbed up everything and ran inside..(it was at a gallery/frame shop). We, on the other hand--had a tent, walls, the full set up...we had hung tarps on the outside, and rolled them up, in case of rain, but didn't expect the STORM that we got. It was hilarious, because at one point--we were certain that our tent was going to blow away. I was hanging onto one side, and Chuck the other..both of us drenched from head to toe..and laughing...trying to cram art into tubs...and doing all things possible to keep our Pro-Panel walls dry..LOL..we were not worried at all about the art--it was all about our beautiful dark gray walls..LOL LOL. Today, my arms feel like they have been wrenched out of the sockets, and shoved back in...but, looking back..it was funny and we didn't lose anything..

Today, I got a call from a collector/friend of mine--a wonderful, happy man named John, and he asked that I bring all of my paintings that I had left from the Mentone show. Well, he ended up buying 6 large paintings. WOOOHOOOOO!! Happy Dancing!!!! We needed it, since we didn't do Art Till Dark or the Chattanooga Market this weekend, just in case I changed my mind, and decided to go to Florida this weekend for the memorial service (which I didn't). That is my biggest single sale to date!! Thank you John!! You are wonderful, and we love you!!!

I did the painting above on Thursday night. I have been busy reading and doing nothing, so it's the only painting that I have done lately. Starting tomorrow morning--I will be working like a maniac again.

I have been reading my new book by Michael DeMeng--Dusty Diablos: Folklore, Iconography, Assemblage, Ole! 
Fantastic!! Wonderful!! I am really enjoying this book. Not only does he show you techniques, he shares with the reader, many Mexican folklores, and stories. It is wonderfully written, and you get the feeling that he's letting you KNOW Michael DeMeng. Some of the things that makes him and his art "tick". I am loving it!! I recommend it to ALL OF YOU!!!! You won't be disappointed!!

Well..I have caught you up with my life. Sorry, that I "dumped" on you--I had a lot going on this week..and I try to share the good, and the bad. Thank you for visiting, sharing my art with me, and always being there.
Live Artfully!!!