Kids, Dogs, Art & Wine in San Carlos

This young man really got into the spirit of fall at the San Carlos Art & Wine Festival last weekend!  He was not only feeling the spirit of fall, but also the powerful spirit of the Fire Dragon, which he brought home with him that day!  I was especially lucky when he sang a song he knew in Mandoran which totally blew me away!  My desire to learn Chinese is increasing all the time.  Now I just have to decide if I should take a course or take a trip to China - probably both!

The streets were filled with the most stylish dogfriends I ever saw at an art show!  It was definitely entertaining watching the dog parade.  I painted a Tibetan Spaniel after seeing one at the Solano Stroll.  The funny thing is it actually looks a lot like our family's puggle, Brandy.  Subliminal appearance of my sweet old dog!

I am so happy when people enjoy the characters that come to life in my paintings.  I had several exciting conversations with children's book authors and enthusiasts and am imagining how fun it would be to illustrate childrens books.  

Well, it's a nice thought knowing that after this coming weekend's show in Menlo Park, I'll have about a month to develop more ideas and paintings.

Menlo Park 

Menlo Park, CA 
13th Annual Sidewalk Arts & Crafts Fall Fest

October 16·17·18 
Location: 
Santa Cruz Avenue at El Camino Real 
Menlo Park, CA 
Admission: FREE 
10am-5pm 
http://www.pacificfinearts.com/schedule.htm

Come see me!!!

Tales from the Sacramento Arts Festival 2009

Monday morning following a great art show is always a mixture of satisfaction and exhaustion!  

Warren Cook organized an excellent festival at the Sacramento Convention Center last weekend and I am so happy to have been a part of it!  The attendance was up from last year (actually the highest attendance in 8 years!) and the people were lots of fun to talk with and share my work with.  Since I am new to the Sacramento Area, I now have a very good feeling about that part of Northern California and definitely plan on going back.  Good thing is it only took us 1 hour and 20 minutes to get home last night!

The people of Sacramento are very diverse - I met people from all over the world - China, Krygyzstan, England, Australia, Oakland (ha ha ha)... And had fun figuring out everyones' Chinese Zodiac Animals and Elements.  Plus, my very first FU DOG went home with a lovely couple who had recently visited China.

I am very inspired to continue creating my 5 Elements Chinese Zodiac Series!  All 12 Animals with their 5 Elements.

I wasn't convinced about indoor shows until now.  The controlled environment was a relief after getting heatstroke in Walnut Creek two weekends ago!  Plus, our neighbors are now great friends who I'm sure we will cross paths with again.  Candace and TJ Ashment from Idaho kept the days from feeling too long with their great humor and storytelling!  They are the same age as Tyler and I and we had so much in common!  As the artists, Candace and I joked about the guys being the muscle behind the operation.   Here's Candace at work putting some color into her beautiful block prints.

Meanwhile... at home Wiki was playing with her girlfriends, lucky dog!