I am busy getting ready....

and SO excited!!!

Chickpea's Lorax party!

My oldest daughter just turned 7 & wanted a Lorax birthday cake.  So, after searching all over town &  searching Google, I decided to make my own!  I just baked 2 regular round cakes & layered them to make it a bit thicker.  Then, I used orange icing & orange sugar on the cake.  To decorate as the Lorax face, I used candy melts to draw my "parts" on parchment paper.  When they hardened, I put them in place.  Birthday girl was very excited!!

I also made truffula trees as party favors. 

They were super easy...just black painted stripes on yellow pencils with bits of feather boas hot glued on top! 

(see full image)

Now I can start getting ready for my BIG show in June!  Art Fusion at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee!! 

 I am super excited about it! 

Sent from my iPhone

I've been busy!

My chickpeas in front of The Art Barn

Over the weekend, I participated in my first ever art show.  It was called The Funky Hen's Marketplace & it took place in Rockvale, Tennessee at The Art Barn.  It was a beautiful day! But just as things seemed to be picking up, the rain started falling & then came the hail!    So, needless to say, everyone packed up & called it a day.  The rain date is planned for April 28th, so hopefully I'll be able to set up my booth again. 
A few lessons learned: 

• don't leave wiring the back of all the canvases for the night before, your fingers will lose all feeling
• don't leave all pricing for the night before either, lol
• take a fly swatter for all the flying insects & bees that seem to think your tent is their new home
• when acrylic paintings get really hot in the sun they seem to get sticky
• always, always pack a lunch & snacks
• you can never buy enough zip ties
• take something to work on, like a work-in-progress
• don't assume anything (like when you rent a table, don't assume it includes a tablecloth)

I was very thankful to have my husband there to help me set-up & pack up when we got rained out. One very exciting thing that has happened because of this show is that my artwork is now available at The Art Barn! I just dropped off four flower paintings this morning & hopefully some more in the future.  Also, I have the opportunity to teach a workshop there....for adults or kids.  Any suggestions?

Unfinished painting challenge update

Here is my progress so far...Tomorrow I will be kid free, at least for a few hours, so i will have a painting marathon!

My friend Jacquie has started a challenge.  The challenge is to finish as much unfinished artwork as possible in 2 weeks time.  The challenge started yesterday, & I will be trying my best to finish my paintings!  Jacquie has created a Flickr group to post pictures of your progress.  If you want to join in, it's not too late!  Visit her blog to find out more information: http://jacquiewilliamson.blogspot.com/

Here is my unfinished pile!!

Funky Hens Marketplace on Saturday!

Come see me at The Funky Hens Marketplace! 
Art, food & live music! 
8190 Hwy99, Rockvale, Tennessee
March 31st 10 am - 5pm. 
Admission $5 (proceeds go to http://www.carpeartista.com/ to fund a children's art camp) 
Rain date April 28

I have exciting news!!

 I have been busy painting, putting together display panels, photographing artwork, uploading to the computer, writing an artist statement & filling out the application on Zapplication. It all just paid off!

I just found out that I will be participating in Artfusion at the Factory in Franklin, Tennessee!  Woohoo!  This will be my 1st juried art show & I am so excited!  Artfusion will be on June 8, 9, & 10th. 
http://www.artscouncilwc.org/artfusion-2012

I am also going to have a booth at the Funky Hens Marketplace Barn Sale on March 31st.  It will be held at the Art Barn in Rockvale, Tennessee. 

More details as soon as I get them...