MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AT THE CELEBRATION OF FINE ART 2012 EVENT

Having big expectations and confidence that I would do well in during the CFA art event, I headed gung-ho and gangbuster to Scottsdale, AZ on January 6th, 2012. Since it was my first year doing this event, I really didn't know what to expect until shortly after I had arrived.

A couple days after I arrived, we began constructing our booth / studio / gallery space each of us were assigned. There were 100 artists participating from across the U.S., with 18 artists (myself included) from Utah. By noon Friday, January 13th, our booths were complete. The opening reception started the event the following day, beginning with VIP night from 5pm to 9pm.

The collectors responded to my work well, which boosted my confidence this event would be a great experience.

Unfortunately, eight weeks went by without a single sale, before what seemed like bad luck finally gave way to an actual sold painting (a 9 inch x 12 inch sketch to an online client). A few days later, I managed to sell a 11 inch by 14 inch painting of a waterfall to a Phoenix resident. Prior to my first sale, I did have several almost sales and I did manage to generate interest in commissions for a few clients. for example; I will be spending several days in May or June 2012 on a 100,000 acre ranch in Wyoming, painting plein air sketches to prepare for the Wyoming ranchers commission. I also will be providing several paintings for another Phoenix resident once his remodel is complete. There are also a few more potential like minded opportunities which may happen before the end of the year --- opportunities which were born out of the CFA event.

On Monday night (the very last week) before the end of the event day, I managed to sell my 4 ft. x 6 ft. Grand Canyon painting for $10k, which alone made the whole 10 weeks worth attending the show. After the show, I drove to Barnes & Noble to purchase a specific book---about a 4 mile drive. After buying the book I was looking for, I proceeded to head to the RV park I adopted as my home away from home. I only drove a couple miles when my truck finally broke down and completely died. I had been crossing my fingers and praying for the truck to hold up throughout the CFA event, it couldn't have happened on a better day! Had it happened on a non-sales day, I probably would have cursed!

To sum it all up, the entire experience was worthwhile ---the good and the bad. I learned from both. Even though the 10 week art exhibit has concluded, the CFA 2012 event isn't really over until the end of the year. Before the year is over, I'm confident I will reach my financial goals that I had set for the event. What did I gain from the experience?...

* I learned how to communicate better with people.

* I learned how to sell my artwork and that I could overcome what seemed at first like monumental physiological, social and communication roadblocks.

* I was once again reminded to put my faith and trust in the Lord.

* I gained some really great contacts and friends.

* I learned more about running my art business.

* Just because something was hard, it doesn't mean it was a waste of my time.

I am definitely putting my name in the hat for the CFA 2013 event. It will be an even better experience!

OPENING DAY

Last night was the artist's reception. This was a VIP night where only Celebrations top collectors were invited to attend. Some artists sold a painting or two last night. At my booth, a senior couple from Chicago stopped to admire my work as I introduced myself. They said they would be coming back over the next 10 weeks of the event.

This morning, an Arizona couple in their mid forties stopped by, admiring my "In Search Of Sweeter Grasses" painting which is featured in the American Art Collector Magazine this month (January 2012 issue). The couple showed me a picture of a wall space in their home and took measurements of the outside dimensions of the art piece. The canvas is 60 inches high by 48 inches wide. Looks like in a day or two, I may have this painting out on trial for 24 hours in their home. They said they'll be back. Looks like the Chicago couple has some serious competition.

If you've ever watched me paint, you know I stand up to paint. My legs got really tired today, so I took a walk and visited some artists I am now good friends with. While I painted away, I heard what sounded like a party going on at another side of the big tent. While out for my stroll, I discovered what all the excitement was... About a dozen male artists were gathered around a big screen TV watching the final exciting moments of an NFL game. After that, I didn't feel guilty leaving my booth for a few minutes.

I got a good start on 12 inch by 24 inch painting today. Fellow artist, Santiago Mikaelek. liked the way it was looking. It is always good to get feedback from other artists.

Tomorrow is Sunday. I have a few things I need to do at my booth tomorrow morning, then I will take a break for a few hours to attend church. After church (about noonish), I will return to watch my studio. Sundays are often the bast sales days at this event.

AN OASIS IN THE DESERT

Friday night, we stopped at a town called Gus, AZ to gas up and get some sleep. At 4a.m. Saturday morning I got the "old girl" back on the road heading South. Passing Page, AZ 10 miles south of the border, the truck behaved itself and I even got it up to 55-60 mph., until I started climbing. After a slow go up the mountain (20-30 mph),I reached the sea level of 6000 feet and climbed a bit more. Once we reached a level of around 7200 feet, she got us to the summit, then got a good rest by almost coasting down the other side of the mountain. Once we reached Bitter Springs area at the bottom, the truck was refreshed and kicked back into high speed 50-60 mph. From Bitter Springs to the valley north of Flagstaff, the truck did well. The old girl and I stopped to rest fpr about 40 minutes. Everything was okay, until we started climbing up the mountains north of Flagstaff, AZ. That was a very tough climb for the little Mazda B3000 v6. Once in Flagstaff, I stopped to shower and rest for a while. About an hour later, we got mack on the road again. Working hard, the truck did her job again, then got another break going down the south side of the mountains. The elevation continued to drop, then back up another 2-3 steep grades on some hills. The old girl really didn't like that at all. A few times, I thought she had about come to her end, but she kept going, getting a few rests here and there as I stiooed to take pictures or check th fluids. We finally arrived in Scottsdale around 3 p.m. I drove around town getting lost a few times, finally finding my RV park by 4:30 p.m. 5 was so glad to be there.

It is now Sunday evening as I post this blog. This morning, I found the tent location and met Susan Morrow Potje, the Director. I also met some other artists fro Utah.

Tomorrow, I plan to get up before sunrise, then go plein air painting not far from the Celebration's big tents. I have to then show up at the tent site by 8a.m. for orientation and getting our studio / gallery ready. I'm looking forward to it!

DELAYED 2 DAYS

I didn't leave for Scottsdale until this morning, which is the 6th of January. I was delayed for a couple of days because of a personal matter which needed resolution. By yesterday afternoon, I did all I could to bring the matter to a close and determined I had to be on the road by this morning.

My old Mazda B300 pickup, a year 2000 model only has a V6. I figured she could handle pulling my camper/trailer with a load of my paintings, that is, until she started running really rough. I am averaging between 45 - 50 mph and have to give her a full drink of unleaded gas about every 120 miles. So far, I have traveled about 185 miles. It is 424 miles to Pheonix from here in Panguich, Utah. At the moment, I am sitting in a gas stop lounge area. They have free internet, so I figured this may be my only opportunity to post on my blog. I also topped the old girl's gas tank off. NExt stop; Kanab, Utah. Kanab is right near the border of Utah/Arizona. Before I get to Kanab, I have 3 big hills to climb. Wish me luck. I'm getting back on the road. Talk to you soon...

ON THE ROAD TO SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Tomorrow (January 4th, 2012), I will be on the road to Scottsdale, Arizona for the big Celebration Of Fine Art 2012 event. This will be a three month adventure where I have a booth under a 40,00 square foot tent, along with 99 other artists. each booth becomes the artist's gallery and studio for the 90 day period. The artists who are participating, come from all over the United States and Canada. Seventeen of us will be attending who are from Utah. I live in Payson, Utah. Looking at the Arizona map, I noticed that this great state also has a Payson, northeast of Scottsdale. I wonder if any Russell Ricks' live there too?

My plan is to stop and plein air paint as well as take photographs on the way down to Scottsdale. I will be taking 16 finished paintings, 14 of which are framed and several partially finished art works to finish when I get to my final destination in the big sunny state. I will be posting photos of scenery and my paintings as I head down and the goings on of the big tent event. Upon my return to Utah at the end of March, I will get back to my studio and focus on several paintings for a corporate client's offices. 2012 will be a very busy year!