Babies on Parade II

What an incredible ride it has been! This past hundred days have been a real adventure and I'm so glad you've joined me. The blog is over 100,000 views, I've already sold several of the paintings, and the show season has begun. Today we set up for the National Shrimp Festival down in Gulf Shores Alabama. Slightly windy and lots of fun! Our campground is barely a quarter mile from the show and we already like the space here. This RV park is definitely in the heart of Gulf Shores.

Setting up two booths this afternoon was interesting. We've never done that before, but we managed to get it done without killing each other! We also didn't really have any sharp words for which I am grateful. Both boots are loaded in with art, and we went back after eating and did a lot of the pricing. Tomorrow morning will be much easier because we got all the work done today.

Tomorrow morning, I will draw for the winner of the $295 painting I'm so excited!

Thanks for following the adventure!

Babies on parade II, Acrylic on canvas, 4*24 inches

Day 100 of the 100 days-100 paintings 2022

Babies on parade

Babies on parade.

Today was an interesting day for sure!

I painted this early this morning. 

We then headed out to pick up the show in Mississippi from the Audubon Center. Chris and I stopped to get lunch on the road, then fought the gauntlet of travel that is I-10 West bound. I have no idea what has gotten into people, driving like maniacs with no manners whatsoever.

We got to Mississippi in one piece, and I settled into the gallery space, chatting with people as they came in. The garden group put on the refreshments, and I grabbed a cookie. There were no more people coming into the gallery, so we started packing up at 2:15. We finished and loaded up in 30 minutes flat. It sure is faster taking down than loading into a show. I've also been asked to come back again, much to my delight. Next year's show will be in August and September again. Only this time, there will be three artists hopefully. (Keeping it all in the family of course!) I am excited to put into plan the next show. It's going to be epic!

On the way home, I wanted to rehang my space at the Hello! gallery here locally. My sweet husband said that would be better than trying to do it in the morning before leaving for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores. I had planned to meet the gallery owner at 9:30, rehang the space in time for artwalk, then head to the show. It really was much easier to do it tonight and I have two crab paintings in color to take to the show.

Tonight I have to load in inventory for the gallery, so I guess I'd better get at it!

Babies on parade, Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 24 inches

Day 99 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

Sweet turtles

Sweet turtles, but they can be sassy.

Tomorrow we drive back to Mississippi to take down the Audubon show.

My Nature Odyssey has been a beautiful show and very well received.

We are attending the closing reception for Cruisin the coast which is at the Audubon Center.

The reception is over at 2:30, which is when we take down and pack up.

The remaining pieces will be going with me to the National Shrimp Festival.

There will be a few new ones as well of course.

The National Shrimp Festival at Gulf shores, Alabama is billed as the biggest party on the Gulf Coast.

It is a very large show, with several hundred vendors.

Fine arts has only 31 participants this year.

We are located at the beginning of the show on 182.

This becomes a challenge at load in and pack up, but it's very doable.

I was told we were in 265 and 266.

Today that shifted a bit, and we are in 266 & 267.

We have a great neighbor, George Kearney and my good friend Linda Scott is one booth away.

It's going to be a great show!

Sweet turtles, Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 24 x 24

Day 98 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

 

Whale songsII

I pray I get a free pass today.

Today was jam packed with church, lunch with hubs, teaching a class, and dinner with our oldest.

You see, today is my birthday.

And I am feeling a little of my age because of the festival this weekend.

Lack of sleep too.

So, I am posting the painting I created in class today while teaching.

I'm also happy to announce we finally got booth numbers for the National Shrimp Festival.

I am in 265 & 266 located apparently on 182 near the beginning of the show.

Hmm, that could be really good or really bad.

Anyway, times a wasting and I need to sketch and paint!

Whale songs II, Acrylic on canvas, 10 x 20

Day 97 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022

 

Another octopus?

The first show is a wrap and we are back home tonight.

It's always an adventure, and we're always glad to get home too!

People are still really excited to see the shadowboxes and the sepias.

This 'ride' has sure lasted a lot longer than I ever dreamed of as far as them being a staple art form.

Many more available in person at the National Shrimp Festival next weekend.

Next weekend.

It's really almost here finally.

I have not seen some of my Shrimp Festival friends in three years.

Covid really hit the show hard because it was cancelled.

Then there were people scared to volunteer because of Covid.

I know this year is going to be so well attended.

Hopefully the economy doesn't step in and ruin it for everyone.

5 days until opening day in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama.

We will be down there the entire time as I splurged on a campsite 4 blocks from the show.

Chris and I are really looking forward to all the festivities.

The set up, not so much.

The set up for the festival is almost magical.

The streets are cleared and then the tents start to go up like mushrooms after the rain.

My favorite vantage point was from the bath house balcony, looking out over the expanse of tents.

Flags fluttering, white tents dotting the landscape, people rushing about their business.

Such is the beginning of the biggest party on the coast,

The Annual National Shrimp Festival in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama.

5 days until....

Another Octopus?, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24 inches

Day 96 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022