Streets lined with vintage cars and trailers. People dressed to fit the scene. Some riding around on their darling vintage bicycles. It really was a sight to see. Especially during open house time when many people moved their modern cars from their spots and dressed up for the 'best vintage costume' contest. There was also a best dressed trailer contest, a potluck and vintage surf movies. My only regret is that I did not go to the open houses or meet anyone. I wish I could say I took lots of pictures and really captured the feel of the rally, but my 'stress response' kicked in and I took shelter in the Pearls cabin and slept while most of the action was going on.
First we had to check in with the Organizers. Their setup was amazing!
The Organizers (sorry don't know their names, never met them)
Sign in
The Pearl looked so happy to be there! (do you see how close those fences are)
Look another Oasis!!
and she's for sale!
I took all these pics walking around in the evening with the crew and Sobe. Was wishing I could see the inside of this black and red one. The open house was from 10 - 2 pm. Almost all the trailers (except the Pearl) were open so everyone could walk around and check them out. I however slept through this portion of the events so did not take advantage of this opportunity. They all had signs in their windows with the make and year of the trailers.
Many towed their trailers there with their vintage cars
There were Airstreams as far as the eye could see...
Loved all the vintage trucks
the diner (didn't meet anyone actually so I don't know any names)
The Baas' Westerner next to a red Westerner. ( I already knew them from Prado).
The cute couple in the red and tan westerner were interviewed by the travel channel for some special they're going to run. The couple were dressed in cowfolk attire and their baby in a cow outfit. So cute!
Oh wait! I did talk to this lovely couple, but don't think I got their names...
This set up was amazing! See the old fan and radio back there? And the couch, coffee table, etc. They looked so comfortable! Behind the two people sitting on the left there was also an old cabinet style black and white tv with rabbit ears that actually worked. It was on the whole time. The evening before as I walked by I spied them watching said tv. So cute! Oh, and this is one of the very few I ventured into. The whole inside was done up in pink! So pretty!!
this one behind the cute truck was the shiniest trailer ever
more airstreams
This was a trailer and truck designed by one of the Matchbox designers. He and his lovely wife were kind enough to let me in at this late hour. There is even a full sized bathroom and shower in there! He said he had designed a matchbook truck first then thought 'wouldn't it be neat to actually build one?"
Loved these. They may have been the most aged. They were completely authentic inside very rustic. The trailer was from before the electricity days.
The crew taking a much needed break. I wish I had taken more pics. I didn't even get a pic of my friend Gretchen and her family, or their lovely trailer. And one day I shall have to show you Nigel. I really only took a few of The Pearl and her crew. I was slightly overwhelmed. Did I mention the Travel Channel was there filming a special on top of everything else? Now that I know what to expect maybe next time I will be better prepared for all the action. Either that or I'll stick to mini rallys. :)
At the end of September I had my first art showcase. I'm not so good at self promotion you know, or at being out there so I almost backed out. But decided to just go with it and step out of my comfort zone for a couple of days.
And step out of my comfort zone I did! Here is a little photo blog of the night...
My sweet husband setting up- If it hadn't been for him I don't
know that I would have accomplished much.
The landscape artist next to me
almost done now
Suzi Doom and a mermaid
Suzi Doom stopped many . She is probably peoples' favorite. She was the RAW Orange County location Director.
most of my display
My setup crew even put out cards
And so the night begins. People arrive.
The bar lights up as people enter
I attempted to sit and be 'relaxed' HA!
This was the night's host with the Poet
Marcus Omari. He was amazing!
A couple of my friends who showed for support
The band was Courtney Jenae. She was good.
I attempted to get pictures of the fashion show. The girls were all ballerinas and did much of it en pointe.
This was the only shot of the two main dancers. It was a scary moment. She leaped and he caught her. Right on the end of that catwalk.
The night ended up being fun in spite of my attempts at self sabotage. I sold a few paintings. Gave out .lots of cards and met some new friends. All in all I am really glad I did it. Bouncing back from that day has been rough, it was a very strange day for many reasons. I lost two people that week and had been at a memorial service right before the showcase.
Finally I will show you which painting sold first.
a close up
This painting I had done for myself. It's the second painting of The Mother Of God I have painted, and both have sold. Thanks for joining me on this crazy journey!
The other night I had a walk through of the venue where I will be showcasing my art with RAW Orange County. I was apprehensive about meeting all the different organizers, artists, musicians, photographers, hair stylists, fashion designers, etc. And was extremely tempted not to go. I am so glad I went.
I actually prefer keeping to myself and my family life. I was nervous upon entering the nightclub. However I quickly recovered. Avec nightclub in Huntington Beach is a beautiful place. I loved the decor. I loved the feel. I loved the people I met.
The organizers were friendly and helpful. We began with a tour of the club, where they pointed out the various spaces available for our art. They answered all of our questions, offered suggestions and any help we need. Explained how the night would play out.
and now I'm excited.
The space is gorgeous, and lavishly decorated. Look at these couches!
I am excited that it will be an evening full of art, music, fashion, even poetry. All the things I love in one place. One evening. And it promises to be fun.
Tickets for the evening are available here http://www.rawartists.org/orangecounty. If you follow that link my art is featured. Click on my painting of Suzi Doom and you can read my bio. I am so looking forward to this evening now. If you are around, come and join me!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
So if you follow my facebook page (a link is there on the sidebar) you know that I've been talking about some exciting news... I know everything is exciting to me, that's a good thing, right?? Check this out
So, I did it! I submitted my art to RAW Orange County. And there I am. I will be in their September showcase! I am excited, nervous, pleased, freaking out, happy, hopeful, tentative, well I'm all over the map really. This sounds like a great opportunity. I understand it's a really cool experience. Come check it out! Any my artist profile is here:
So, I'm about to seriously date myself here but I cannot help walking around singing this song:
and here's why. We have a guest. Her name is Lily and she is beautiful.
A beautiful young button quail who is being quail sat while our friends are on vacation.
I have always wanted a quail. It's been nice getting to care for one this past week.
Here she is walking around in one of my planter beds. She loves this spot my gardeners have been neglecting. A nice little weed patch to pick through and duck in and under the weeds and tall grass.
My gardeners
She's a very sweet, curious little button. I love to just sit there and watch her walk back and forth, take her dust baths and find tasty bugs to eat. I also have to keep watch for the hawk whose smorgasbord my backyard is.
The chickens and ducks don't seem to know what to make of her. The ducks seem suspicious, and I think she moves too quickly for their liking. They keep a watchful eye on her. The chickens, well who knows what they think, but they avoid her too.
Another guest til the end of the week when she'll go home. She also has quite the set of lungs on her. Here's a short video I took of her calling out. It's really quite loud, and she does this all night long, and most of the day too.
Hopefully I wont drive my husband crazy with my Lily song. I just can't help it. And it makes me laugh. Here I''ll leave you with a pic of my latest painting for sale on Etsy. It is my wish for all of you...
Ok it's now 6:33 pm. And I have to add a note. File this one under more excitement than I needed in a day!... Lily just flew the coop! Those wings really work! So we're sitting outside in the planter box dust bathing, eating bugs, etc when she decides to hop out. Frightened by a Chicken (most likely Morpheus) who was looking at her rather ominously with one eye and being flanked by the twins and I she flew off! Over the wall, over the neighbors whole house! Every neighbor around me for at least a few houses in each direction have dogs. PaNiC sets in!
Off we went knocking on neighbors doors with our very strange request (as if they didn't think we were strange enough) "Could you please go look in your backyard for a small brown quial?" It's a good thing neighhbors are neighborly. "How am I going to explain this one?" I ask the twins who accompanied me......
Two doors down-- in the backyard of a neighbor with not one but two big not so friendly acting german shepherds was Lily! We went in back, scooped her up and returned her to her cage indoors. Phew! Dodged that bullet, right?! Thank goodness my friend doesn't read my blog. She and her girls would be heartbroken if Lily was gone... Only one more day to go too.
It's been an especially busy summer here, and the studio has not seen much action lately. I have had some good feedback on the items in my Etsy shop and some possible interesting things for the future happening.
I wrote a little
This past weekend was the first ever mobile Geenies Lamp Studio. Well, kinda. I took some much needed time and camped overnight by myself for the first time. I did have this intention when I first decided to get a Vintage Trailer, that I could use her for my personal art studio at the beach, or wherever. However we've had so much fun family camping that I have not had the time or the guts I guess to get her out on my own. I finally did.
It was the first time I've ever willingly spent any time alone. I took some books, some art supplies (a lot of art supplies) and my meals and found some peace and quiet. Peace and quiet are generally unattainable at home, there are just too many little people and pets.
It was good to get out in the fresh air and just sit. I love to just sit and stare at trees and all the animals that come out when one is still. I did not move to get any pictures of them, though I wanted to. I was enjoying them so much I didn't want to frighten them off.
These shots were taken from the dinette in the Pearl. The view from my front window.
The campground was virtually empty, so it felt like I was truly alone. Of course anyone who walked by complimented the Pearl, but other than that I really didn't see anyone. And I preferred it that way. Just to sit in stillness, and quiet and enjoy the breeze. The scents and sounds of the woods. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. I am convinced that living here in a big city I am severely nature deprived.
Here is a short pictorial recap of all I did...
I burned candles
Drank coffee
Did a little walking around
In the morning I was able to cook my breakfast. A fresh egg, bacon and some coffee and sit and enjoy my lovely meal in peace in The Pearl with that gorgeous view out my front window.
I did get a bit of drawing and painting in, but didn't take any pics. It was a lovely time just being with myself and thinking about life.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
