tales from a perfect weekend....

SO, as you have heard me say many many times lately, I was at the 2 Rivers Fine Arts Fest in Binghamton, NY at the Roberson museum all weekend. Considering the city was under water in the worst flood ever 2 weeks ago, including the back of the space where we were exhibiting, and that the street has condemned homes and wrecking and cleanup crews everywhere, tis a miracle the event happened as scheduled. But boy, what a perfect weekend, could not ask for a better crowd or weather. The crowd was down, less than half the usual, but I was in spot number ONE, next to the entry, and had great sales and a great time, lucky me! I gave up on doing most outdoor fairs like this one years ago, and we got rid of our large vehicle and the canopy has sat in storage since 2005---it had mice in it, eewwwww! But I got it all into the wee car, and it worked very well. I was reluctant to do an outside fair like this---worries about rain, wind, thieves overnight, but like I said, the weather and everything were perfect. This event is a very carefully juried art show, and the crowd seems to know it, compared with some fairs where customers might have more of a, how do you put it, garage sale sale mentality. This was a smart audience looking for beautiful things. Plus, you know, you see the lady with the six shi tzus....

In 1985 I worked as a useless apprentice to Dean White. I ran into him here, the FIRST TIME he and I have ever been at a fair together (outdoor fairs are his bread and butter). We keep in touch a little and I respect him and his kindliness immensely. We talked quite a bit, and this is what he told me: as a potter for 38 years, he has had hundreds of students and apprentices, but only ONE became a potter, ME. I was like HOLY CATS! Made me feel, I dunno, pretty flippin' awesome :)