2009 Art in the Park

Well, Chris and I just finished Art in the Park here in our hometown of Parker last weekend. I must say, this one took WAY more out of me physically than in years past! I'm just now getting to the point where my back is letting me even sleep at night, and it's Tuesday-2 days after the show ended! At any rate, it reminds me that in spite of so many of the blessings I've received since the plane crash, some things I can't (yet) change.

At any rate, it wasn't all bad. My sales were WAY down, barely covered the cost of entry. I would love to blame it on the economy, but Chris did much better than usual, so scratch that idea. The high point for me was on Saturday afternoon, when a group of official-looking people came by our booth with cameras and some plaques. They looked like they wanted to know our booth number, but they said, "No, we're here to present you with something!". That "something" was an award with my name on it for 1st Place in Fine Crafts for the show!!! They could have knocked me over with a feather! Not, 3rd place, not 2nd place, but FIRST PLACE in my category for the entire show! Unbelievable. I still look at the plaque, and will take it to any show I ever do, anywhere. It was a validation of my growth through my craft, and it really meant a lot to me. Still high from it, and will be for a long time.

That's it for now, I'll add a pic of them presenting the award when the show sends it to me.

Dale

Breckenridge Art Show

Well, it's been like, forever, since I've posted here! Chris and me both have been busy with our art. We did the Breckenridge Mountain Art Festival last weekend, and had a great time. Sales weren't stupendous, but we did a few grand and talked to many other artists that did half that, so it's tough to complain. If we do another one up there, we need to find a way for the kids to be less, well, bored, because it was a very LONG 3 day weekend for them, although they were great. For Erik it was 4 days, as he came up with me Thursday to help me set up, and he worked like a man, not like a boy. Without him I would have been in real trouble. We had a blast together too, had dinner and drinks (VIRGIN Pina Colada for my little buddy!) down at the Dillon Marina, watched boats sailing on a gorgeous evening while eating some of the finest fish tacos I've ever had, and I've had them from Ensenada to Playa del carmen, and these were unreal. maybe it was the setting. Maybe it was my company. But we did have a blast! Chris and Holly came up Friday to join the fun, and we had dinner Friday night with our neighbors 2 houses up and laughed and had great pizza. But the long days at the show (10-6) were a bit much for them. Come to think of it, they were a bit much for me too! Anyway, met LOTS of great people, got several comissions, 1 from the Dept. Chair of the Baylor School of Medicine. It will be a beauty, just waiting for the wood. Anyway, thanks for the friends we met and the friends who came up to visit, and thanks especially to Martin and Patti for your AWESOME condo, it was so comfy and incredibly nice!

We Got Accepted!

Well, it took a while, but both me and Chris were juried in to the Breckenridge Mountain Art Festival for this year! The show is July 24, 25, and 26 and is being held in the Wellington/Sawmill ski lift parking lots, on the North end of town right on Main St. If you are local, or just passing through town, please come visit us and say hi! We're both very busy getting our artwork ready, and are very excited to be able to get into this show. We know all about the common wisdom that the economy is bad and artists shouldn't do shoes, but we'll do fine. It will be what we make it.

I'm also hosting a shop tour this Sunday through my woodturner's club. My Studio is at our house, so please, stop by between 1-4 this Sunday and have a look!

I'll post more pictures soon...

Dale