Ibis II

Ibis II brings me one day closer to the Annual National Shrimp Festival 

down at Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The weekend is looking like the possibility of rain in some spots, 

but probably not an all day wash out.

We will be putting up the tent we lovingly call "The Beast".

It is the second tent ever made by the Showoff company back in the late 80's.

The company was a merger between an aerospace engineer and an awning company.

The first tent was made for the engineer's wife, the second for her friend.

I got the tent from the friend several years ago.

She had used it for shows for several years and was getting out and needed to sell.

The tent is built from aluminum and is lightweight and easy to set up.

I have also owned a Flourish, but it was heavy, heavy.

I sold my Flourish, after I got the Showoff.

We have put the poles into a golf bag, as it makes carrying them easier.

I can carry almost the entire tent pole system in the golf bag.

Anyway, we call it "The Beast" because it has so many parts and pieces.

There are no less than  7 legs if you put up a french wall.

There are also stabilizing bars for the bottom.

Bars for the top and sides and a 5th one for the french wall.

Then there's the roof pipes in several pieces, we added even more when Chris built a system of PVC pipe that holds the roof taut, preventing leaks and puddles.

A roof with a sky light.

Four vinyl walls.

Four large 45 pound weights.

Sometimes we bring the bag weights as well.

Four covered walls for us to choose from, if we want a french wall or not.

We also have chairs, a wooden business center surround, flags, decorations, business roll around case that carries hooks, cards, shopping bags, tools, price tags, straps for the weights, stakes, baby wipes, and too much other stuff to mention!

Needless to say, it's a LOT of stuff to carry.

When we go out of town we carry an extra pop up tent in case something happens to the big one.

We learned that lesson here in Fairhope when The Beast was damaged during a storm that hit the night of set up a few years back.

We've carried an extra tent ever since. 

Then there is the artwork in a system of bags that I've purchased over the years.

We also added a platform made from shelving, making it easier to load the tents, chairs, business table, and weights.

We then have a cooler, clothes, food, snacks, and drinks.

Although sometimes we buy the food after we get to the show city.

Why do I tell you this?

Because it's not all sitting in our studio, raking in cash from sales.

It's a lot of sleepless nights caused by ideas that will not be quiet, concerns about not remembering to pack something, last minute varnishing before we leave, and packing an 

art bag of projects to do at the show.

Sometimes the shows are so slow, I can paint quite a bit unfortunately.

Artists carry lots of heavy equipment, and sometimes heavy thoughts about their works.

We also have to plan months in advance, I currently have entries for shows for May of next year.

I have campgrounds booked for two shows in Florida in late April and the first weekend of May.

They are already paid in full because that is what is required.

So it's a lot we go through to present ourselves before you, the collector even go to the shows.

Know an artist?

Tell them you know how hard they work and you appreciate their efforts.

Today found me laying out a project involving multiple pieces to go 

with a painting purchased a few years back.

He has his turtle, he now wants 5 other canvases set up in a 

particular way to surround the original piece.

He is excited to see them, and so am I!

Meanwhile I paint......

Ibis II, Acrylic on poured background, 4 x 12 inches

Day 94 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019