One of a Kind Wrap Up...The Goods

Good help is hard to find...I found it! This is Kate...she helped me out for a few days at the show and I needed it, I moved from my location last year and our sales and traffic doubled.Thanks to her wonderful assistance, for the first time I was able to actually go see some of the show without risking missing customers. I also made some great connections with other artists, not to mention brokering some great trades with them! Here are 2 from Minnesota artists (ironically), I'll share the others later this week. Below...from Fiber Artist Susan Hinckley, this beautiful piece is titled "Let it go". It was a hard choice, but this one really spoke to me because I feel like I have made a conscious effort recently to let go of so many things I was trying to control and make happen in my business and suddenly those very opportunities are finding me. I have loved her work since first seeing it a few years back at One Of a Kind.

This painting is by Brian Jensen, a wonderful painter and illustrator whom I met for the first time at the show. This beautiful piece was painted on pine, I love how he allowed the natural wood to become part of the composition. His display was great - like a huge puzzle yet each piece could stand alone. This was one of 4 in a set, I'm regretting that I did not also get the one that goes below it.

Okay...off to bed, I have so much to do  tomorrow!

My (very edited!) CLTV Interview...

I'm almost embarrassed to post this...but hey you can't knock free press. I was briefly interviewed at the One of a Kind Show & Sale today by CLTV/Metromix Chicago. The link to watch it is here - the video clip is on the right hand side, under Chicago Designers @ The One of a Kind Show. I was nervous...I speak without thinking first...and say too much - so they edited a lot. My mission is to make people happy with my art? well yes, but I somehow didn't get the whole dog adoption awareness message in there. Next time! (I really should do some interview practice because I'm never happy with the results...add that to the "to do" list!)

The show really is spectacular this year, enormous and beautiful..so many wonderful talented people in one place. It's been great fun to see so many of my artist friends from out of town and to connect with many of the customers whom I've met at this show over the last 7 years of exhibiting. I've also got some good artist trades for artwork coming on Sunday...check back, I'll be posting all my new eye candy!

A Sneak Peek...One of a Kind 2007

Yesterday was a long day, but my booth is hung (at the Merchandise Mart), and after last night's beautiful snowfall I'm glad we did it a day early! That's our beautiful Linden Tree, I was so sad when the leaves finally dropped 2 weeks ago, but now it's branches are sporting a lovely layer of snowflakes.

I'll spend today designing signage and tags and finishing sketches for all my pet portrait orders, then the next 4 very long, but exciting days at the One of a Kind Sale. So I'm in "Super Anne" mode from here on out, finishing all those portraits by Christmas and whipping my studio into shape for my sale the weekend of the 15th-16th. It's crazy but the more I have to do the better I perform, even though in my head I'm
in a bit of a panic. Repeating my Mother's mantra ... "I have more time than I'll ever need"...thanks Mom!

Buster! and the Wonders of Reflexology...

I recently completed this Commissioned Portrait of Buster - this sweet furry little guy belongs to Nourhy of Now Studio in Bucktown. Nourhy is a very talented and intuituve Reflexologist and Massage Therapist. I feel very fortunate to have received her wonderful reflexology treatments in trade for this portrait. In addition to making me feel better I have learned a lot from her, and highly recommend her services! (Ironically I lived just blocks from her studio for many years...but did not find my way there until moving out of the neighborhood.) And I should mention the photo of Buster was taken by David Sutton.

Neon Matisse - In my Bathroom

 

This is my favorite new piece of art, it's called "Have a Nice Day". I purchased it on Ebay from amazing Canadian folk artist, Helene Lacelle (Neon Matisse is her ebay seller name).  I finally framed it the other day (thank you Target - I just mounted it right on top of the mat that was cut for an 8x10) and hung it in the bathroom, which is all tile from floor to ceiling, not easy to nail into but I worked a few into the grout line. It has transformed the room for me, thank so much Helene! Be sure to check out her auctions and website, just promise not to bid against me!

Free Pass to the One Of a Kind Show!

Things are very busy here as we prep for the One of a  Kind Show & Sale at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago next week. Stay tuned to see some of our 'gift package' items and specials!

In the mean time click here to get your own FREE PASS to the One of a Kind Show. The entry fee is $10 so this is a great value. With the money you save you could come by and purchase 2 note pads from me! : )  or give back by supporting another artist at the show with your gift purchase.

Okay...back to work, the Pet Portrait gift orders are pouring as it's my deadline date of November 30th for guaranteed Holiday Delivery!

Dog Art Today...yesterday

Moira McLaughlin (artist & blogger) featured my art work on her blog yesterday, it's called Dog Art Today. Her blog showcases daily dog art from around the world, pretty cool. It includes features on contemporary dog art, the history of dogs in art, dogart auctions, books, posters, fashion and decor. Check out her custom dog collages and read her interesting biography...(she used to be Kevin Costner's assistant). Thanks for the press Moira!

Recent Commissions...

This was the final sketch for a commission painting I've been working on which will be 24x24. These clients are wonderful customers both the (adult) kids and their parents collect my work. They gave this to their parents for their 60th Birthdays both being celebrated this year. I love doing these, it's a lot of fun helping people come up with symbolism for shared interests and history. My favorite is the "lefties" square..

I  should mention that I swore off painting children a few years back but made an exception for their adorable grand kids + they really get my work and I knew they would not have unrealistic (or should I say realistic) expectations.