The most exciting thing that happened lately was a trip to Raleigh (NC) for the "Art of the Carolinas" trade show that Jerry's Artarama puts on every year. We got there shortly after it opened on Friday figuring that it wouldn't be too crowded on a Friday morning - Wrong! I picked up a few items I needed then stood in a check-out line that didn't seem to move. I was told by the artists in front of and behind me that it was the worst time to visit the show! I guess everyone tries to get there early to buy supplies for the different workshops along with trying to get frames and canvases before they get picked over! Since I wasn't in the market for either of those items and wasn't taking a workshop, I wish I'd waited to attend the show!
As it was, I bought a few things at the show for some good prices but still ended up with a small bag of stuff and about $60 poorer! Not only that, but we ended up going just down the street to the actual Jerry's store (which blessedly was nearly empty of customers) for some acid free foam board. I also saw some Rub'nBuff which I had heard was great to transform frames and picked up a tube of that. I'd looked for it in Hobby Lobby and our local big box building supply store but hadn't found it.
Since it's so rare for me to get to go to a large art supply store, I really wanted to look around more. But being at the show with all that crowd was really wearing. It was shoulder to shoulder in the huge room that contained much of the show and trying to see what was available was nearly impossible. At the store itself, many of the shelves were empty or depleted because the stock had been taken to the show.
Oh, well, I got pretty much what I went for plus a little extra so it was certainly successful in that regard!
It's back to work on the portrait of Shawnee today and I think I may get the colors all blocked in and a good start on the detailing if all goes well.
I'm also starting a portrait of two beautiful Golden Retrievers and have the sketch pretty much worked out for that. It will be on a full sheet of PastelMat which is the largest size pastel portrait I've done. I'm looking forward to starting it but feel I need to wait until Shawnee is finished so pastel dust won't contaminate the acrylic portrait.
As always, I'll keep you posted!
4 comments:
Its amazing how publishing a picture highlights areas to be tweaked isn't it :-)
I shall enjoy watching Shawnee progress, particularly as I don't paint so find the process fascinating.
I don't think I'd have enjoyed the art show ... can't stand be crowded like that which is why I really ought to get my Christmas shopping completed soon before the shops get really crowded!
It's always exciting to go to this trade show as there are so many demos, new products shown & "play areas" to allow you to play with the different supplies. But it was so crowded this time that you couldn't do any of those things without waiting forever. I didn't even go into the vendor area this time as it was really wall to wall people. I'll just go at a different time next year as it's really worth attending.
You're wise to do your shopping early - think I'll do all mine online and stay hidden away out here in the boonies! lol
Beautiful post!
Thank you,Antonio!
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