Historic West End ArtFEST

It was not a sunny day nor was it a rainy day. Just one of those in-between, it could go either way days. But it was on... the West End ArtsFEST.

Truthfully I was glad not to postpone it to the next day even if the weather did seem a smidge more promising.

Most of my set up accessories were either borrowed or bought when I got to Winston at junk shops.

My tent was going to cost me $80 to rent and the table $8.00. I found a tent to purchase for $69.00, so my dad went in half with me and now he has a tent to use for his leisure. My in-laws let me borrow their table. I was thankful to save that money.

My dear friends Eddie and Stephan rose bright and early with me to set everything up. What a life saver they both were.

Stephan was a walking advertisement for me walking around the FEST with his Big Eyed Jesus necklace that drew a lot of attention and sent a lot of folks my way. Eddie was a whiz with calculating the sales tax and writing up receipts. With out them I would have been so lost.

I've been working for months on this collection. Ok, so not very many months. I found out I was going to be in the show back in July I think. That works out to be only about 2 months. Two of my beloved summer months. So I have been rather busy to say the least.

I started making jewelry I guess back in May and I must say it has been quite fun and I've already got ideas for the next round of goodies.

My next step is to get my ETSY store updated and start networking it out there in computer land to hopefully get some sales that way.

In case you missed the show or the pics I posted on Face Book... here are a few from the show.

I tried to keep everything in a nice tea stained lavender color Fashion Note: The dress came from the Pink Purse on ETSY

A Candy bowl filled with pins that I do for Art-O-Mat

Cotton Candy Ear Bobs

Junk store find for holding business cards. Free Pixi Stix!

Even the lavender "spread" was just $3.00 curtains from the Salvation Army store

I'd like to also start showing here in New York at maybe the Brooklyn Flea or the Designer's Showcase here in the city.

Thanks again to every one who helped me with this show and to all that stopped by my little booth of Freaks, Geeks and Beauties.

When I moved to NY 3 years ago I dreamed that I would take the art world by storm up here. That is not what has happened. 

Am I disappointed? No, I really am not. 

Sometimes I wonder what I am doing wrong why can't I get some shows up here. Truth is I have been so busy doing and creating art that I just have not had time to search for one.

I've participated in a few group shows up here. One was this really cool skate deck show in a gallery called APW. They had a great space and a wonderful crowd opening night. There were some really great boards on display. The gallery emailed me asking me to keep my boards there in inventory which was fine by me. A few months later when I decided they had been there long enough I went to contact them and they were gone. Out of business. No contact info. So there went 2 of my favorite skate decks. 

The next show was right up my alley... a Halloween themed show sponsored by Fangoria magazine. The setting was a bit strange... in one of my fave sushi restaurants in the city- Avenue A Sushi. But hey, a lot of restaurants feature local artists. The opening night was nice. Quite a few people came out. I even sold a piece- Charlie Chainsaw. It went all down hill after that. I kept getting reports that my pieces were no longer hanging. I'd call and nobody every knew anything. So I stopped by and still no one new anything. They eventually found the missing pieces in the basement. So all ended ok.

Title- An Axe to Grind. Quite an appropriate piece for this show.

Despite these few little bumps in the road I have already had one wonderful art career and I still get giddy thinking about my pieces scattered about the country. I feel very thankful that there a few special folks out there who like my work. THANKS!

I'd like to go back and visit some of the "highs". Not to toot my own horn at all, but just to reminisce and get amped up for what is still to come...

One of my favorite shows was in SEED a coop that I used to belong to Winston-Salem. They were and still are a wonderful group of artists!

The show was Candy Coated Nightmares. I collected vintage lingerie and children's clothing in candy colors to hang amid the space. I painted the walls with candy stripes and drippy drips. For treats to offer visitors to the show I had a ton of old-timey candies and PEEPS with red food coloring spattered on them.

I don't seem to have any photos of that show. It makes me sad. So if you're reading this and you have some please send them my way!

Another show that I had at SEED was Psycho Nanny Nursery. I spent a lot of time finding old kids toys to mix in with my art pieces. Again I painted the walls and stenciled paper dolls all around. I had baby pink and blue balloons all on the ground to wade through in the gallery. The paintings all centered around childhood experiences. 

 Say Cheese!

 Fashion Note: Horns-Made by my dad, Baby Doll top- Betsey Johnson for Victoria Secrets, Jewelry- Vintage pieces

For this show I had the 2-Headed twin panel that you could stick your head through and have a photo made. That was a lot of fun.

My miniatures show was also a lot of fun. No pieces were over 5x7 and most were WAY smaller than that. This was April Showers Bloody Flowers. This show called for giant rain clouds with glitter drops of blood streaming down. My husband helped me with this. We made giant shapes of chicken wire then we covered it with batting and spray painted them dark and stormy. I made foam core drop shapes that I covered in red glitter and dangled from red ribbons.

 My Second Family- The Youngs
Fashion Note: Tutu was from a yard sale of my old dance teacher Miss Dorminy. Necklace: Tarina Tanantino Top: Marshalls

 Looks like someone snuck in for a preview!

I've also had quite a few shows at Urban Artware. Millicent the owner there has treated me so well over the years. I think my fist show there was Freaks, Geeks and Beauties (thus my blog and jewelry line title) I did the entrance in Red and white striped fabric. I had to be on a budget as usual since all extras come straight out of pocket. So I found this real inexpensive vinyl table cloth fabric. It didn't even have to be sewn!

 Step right up ladies and gentlemen to the spectacle that lurks behind these curtains!

For me having an art opening is as exciting as a vacation. It means all the hard work is done and I get to stand around and chat about my work with friends and family and make new friends.

Here are just a few more snap shots from different shows throughout the years.

My niece-Chyna, older sister-Lisa, dad-Tommy, myself and younger sister- Mindy

 

This show was Delightfully Dreadful Tales

The Opening for Cupcakes and Creeps.

Fashion Note: Tutu- online find, Shirt- Sailor Jerry PJ top

My husband and I made this giant cupcake out of a lamp shade, insulation and baby parts

Here I am with two of my biggest supporters David and Susan Hunter at a group show in High Point, NC

This show was at Rebus Works in Raleigh. It was called Black Valentine.

My next big event will be in September. At an out door art festival in Winston-Salem's Grace Court. This will be showcasing mostly my new jewelry with some small paintings and burlesque side show paper dolls! I can hardly wait.

This weekend I also did a photoshoot at Eastern State Pen in Philly. Despite the 100º weather with no air, it was a lot of fun. Here are just a few shots.

Carnival inspired art through the years

I have been painting professionally for probably 8 years or so. People often ask me what I paint. My usual answer is "Creepy kids and Circus Side show People". Here are just a few Carnival themed pieces I have done through the years.