Oh Happy Day! Obama Sighting!

Just had to post this! My brother, his girlfriend and I literally just missed Obama and his daughters at The Dairy Godmother today in Del Ray (Alexandria, Virginia)! Apparently, we were at Cheesetique across the street while they were getting some ice cream. We went to get ice cream right after they stopped in. Some people outside were talking about their visit. The girl behind the counter in the back left served me too. We then went into another little art store where the owner confirmed the sighting and was asking if we saw the Pres and his daughters. So close!

Ankeny, Iowa Green Fest

Hi all! I've been super busy working on as many paintings and sculptures to sell at my very first show, the Ankeny, Iowa Green Fest! A little humid and windy at first (as you can tell my my wonky hair) but the sun came out later and it was beautiful. I was more excited than in my picture! That image is the result of my mother taking 3 minutes to take a picture with my cell phone! You just press one button, I don't get the problem haha. Gotta love her. I just completed my show today and had a blast!! I think this will be addicting. It was nice to see people respond well to my new work, I'll be a busy bee in July making more paintings. I nearly sold out, which was very unexpected. I also made my first trade with another couple selling pottery in the booth near me. I think that was one of the highlights. They were just such nice people and they kept telling others to come check out my work! Seriously, could you ask for better neighbors? The customers were equally friendly with nice comments. Overall it was a beautiful and successful day!
Here are a few things I learned during my first show. Be prepared to set up on either grass or cement. I thought we were setting up on cement/parking lot but when I got there everyone was setting up on grass. It was a bit windy at first and I didn't bring any stakes for my canopy! Lesson learned. Always be prepared for either with weights for the tent or stakes for grass. I was lucky, the canopy I bought held up wonderfully without stakes. It was even on sale, score! Second, I brought some items that blew over if they caught just a little wind, so I need to rework those ideas if I bring them to another outdoor show. I can't even count how many times I had to reposition these items. Lastly, I think I would like to make a professional looking sign for my canopy. I saw one a few booths down from me and thought it made the artist seem more professional and legit.
Can't wait for my next show. Time to go order a bunch more canvases and get crackin!