School Begins

Setup for the first art show of the fall begins tomorrow. Doing art shows in Florida is somewhat like being in school. I’ve had my long summer off and now it is time to start the new year. I’ve done some changes this year; bigger frames, and different mats on the framed pieces, a new classy looking print bin, some new panoramas, and a changed booth layout. I’ve gotten my hair and nails done and rethought my show wardrobe. The first day of school is Saturday and everything is ready – I hope….

I’m not too sure about the show I’m doing this weekend, Oviedo Butterfly and Nature Festival put on by Lukas Nursery. I’ve never done it before, never even attended it, which is a big no-no in the art show world. You’ll see that in almost every “beginners tips” for art shows – never do a show unless you’ve attended it first – yeah right. If I’ve got a weekend free and there is an art show going on, I’m applying. It is nature themed, which is usually good for me but it is also a small local show which means it is below the radar of the art show rating publications, Art Fair Source Book, and Sunshine Artists. At any rate, it looks like it’s going to be a fun show to do. I’m looking forward to seeing the butterflies and I’ll probably bring home a few plants. At the very least I’ll test out all the changes I’ve done.

Speaking of nature themed shows, I’ve decided to return to the Audubon Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival in January. I like doing this show but haven’t been able to do it for a couple years because it runs from Wednesday through Saturday, which means three vacation days. You can see the rest of my fall schedule on my Upcoming Events page.

If you get a chance go by and see the exhibit at the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in Melbourne. There is some really great art there, including a couple of my photographs.

Another Word Photograph

I was at the opening for the 100% Pure Florida exhibit at the Fifth Avenue Gallery in Melbourne tonight and another photographer and I were discussing the differences between photography and painting. I saw the perfect example on the way home.

I was traveling down 46, which has just opened up again after the floods from Fay, when I noticed that the sky was lighter to my left. I thought it might be the last vestiges of sunset but a quick glance to my clock told me that the sun was long since down. It was the moon, only a quarter, but it made a wonderful reflection, lighting up the wetlands. I quickly thought, I have to come back here and get a photograph when the moon is full. And just as quickly though, yeah great idea Alison, let’s go stand by the side of the road on 46, a dark two lane road with no shoulder and a speed limit (or as we call them in Florida, suggested minimum speed) of 65, right next to the water, at night. Just me, the speeding cars, the alligators, and my tripod. Oh, well, I’ll have to leave that scene for the painters.