Sunday, May 29, 2011

Grande Finale

My set up at the first  FFFH Spring Art Show and Sale

Today was a great day. Here is my "booth" at the art show. The space was quite different than I imagined, so the way I thought I would set up was not the way I actually could. My portable wall for my 30 paintings was the priority and once that was in place I worked the rest out as best I could. The show was in a beautiful old historic building (almost 100 years old) and my space was in the front room in the corner that could be seen from the entrance. It was perfect. I realized I hadn't made a sign for the 30 paintings project so my mom ran to the store to get some bristol board so I could make a quick one. Not professional but better than nothing. Both she and my sister were a huge help to me today.


I gave out lots of business cards and made some new contacts, plus sold 6 more paintings, so I am thrilled. Even if none of that had happened my day was made by the friends who took the time to come and see me. And I met a man who actually follows some of the blogs that I know and love! What are the odds?

At one point I was visiting with and admiring the work of another artist (you can see her fibre art and blog "My Sweet Prairie" here) when a customer walked up and began talking to her. I continued looking at her work not realizing that the customer was a friend of mine who was trying to get my attention! She lives a couple of hours away and we met last summer at the Emma Lake painting class. When it clicked that it was her I think I screamed and pretty-well tackled her with my hug. I was so surprised and excited I was shaking! We did a power catch-up as best we could and she made an investment in my art! Thanks CJ- call me... soon!

And thanks Judy, for letting me know about this event.

* I have no idea what I did, but somehow I reposted/moved the blog entry with painting #13 and it shows with today's date. Weird.

12 comments:

-Don said...

Congratulations, Nicki, on a successful event. Your work looks beautiful and is accented wonderfully by the gorgeous model you had standing by it.

Yay, for all the red dots!!!!

-Don

Karla said...

Congratulations Nicki! Your set-up looks really good. I am doing my first show in September and I am really interested in how you made your display board. Can you share that on a blog? Thanks! Karla

Pam Holnback said...

What a show! congrats! I, too, am interested in your display board. thanks.

Judy Adamson said...

Well done, Nicki - it all looks very exciting and the sales are the icing on the cake!

Must say, I love your grassland paintings - even more than the trees and water, I think!

What on earth are you going to do now that you've completed your 30 paintings? :)

Barbara Muir said...

Congratulations! 30 paintings in 30 day, and all 30 wonderful. You must be so incredibly proud of yourself, and I'm delighted that so many sold.

WooHoo! You are amazing.

XOBarbara

cohen labelle said...

Grande indeed!!!! I love your prairie skies and fields and I've been so inspired by the out pouring of beautiful work from your daily practice! It seems your boys have been excited by this too - so it is contagious!
Marcia

Shirley Fachilla said...

Love the energy and movement of your brushstrokes. A wonderful 30.
And like the others commenting, I think your display board is great. It creates a very elegant visual.

Nicki said...

Hi Don,

Thanks, I was really happy with my board and the way it looked. It was quite striking. And thanks for the compliment! Gorgeous might be stretching it.... but I'll take it anyway!!! ;o)

Nicki



Hi Karla,

Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I am planning a post on the board because several have asked about it. Stay tuned...

Nicki



Thanks Pam. I'll be making a post on the board. It was an easy, simple and relatively inexpensive solution.

Nicki



Hi Judy,

Yes, I have found a new passion in the grasslands! I loved painting them and I am excited to try a larger scale now.

I don't think I will continue the daily, as in every single day, painting routine, but I am going to shoot for a few small ones a week. We'll see.

Nicki



Hi Barbara,

Yes, it feels good to have completed the project and to have done it as I wanted to, by painting one a day. I'm thrilled with the sales. That always adds to the feeling of satisfaction.

Hope you are feeling better and that the world is not spinning anymore.

XO Nicki


Hi Marcia,

Being a prairie girl yourself I am not surprised those ones caught your eye. Yes, my kids enjoyed the project too. I got lots of "What number is it today mommy?" and "What are you painting today mommy?". I especially enjoy my memories of Tommy sitting beside me and reading out-loud as I painted.

Here is a hug for you.... O

Nicki



Hi Shirley,

Thank you for stopping to comment. I'm glad you liked the look of my "wall" and I will explain what I did in a post very soon.

Nicki

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

What a lovely photo you got of your space!! wow.

me... not so lucky. lol

Very beautiful! It was so great meeting up with you.
~Monika in Saskatoon

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

Oh gee - I hadn't noticed the link : ) Thanks Nicki : )

Yes you did have the wrong address. That's a non-interactive website, but my blog is mysweetprairie.blogspot.com

I just love those paintings so much!!
~Monika

suzanneberry said...

CONGRATULATIONS NICKI!! sounds like a wonderful time. making new friends, seeing old ones, selling your work...who could ask for more!

Nicki said...

Hi Monika,

I'm glad we got the blog confusion worked out... now I am following you and I can comment, too!

I didn't get a chance to photograph other booths... I wish I had one of yours that I could send you.

Glad we met!

Nicki



Hi Suzanne,

Yes, it was a good day. I am always surprised at how exhausted I get, but it is worth it.

Hope you are well,
Nicki