Queen Bee is coming! (How to build tall structures out of wood while 8 months pregnant.)

Okay so, the title is a little misleading.
I haven't really figured it out yet.
But just you wait because...

the Queen Bee Market is coming!
It's just 2 weeks away, May 6 & 7 at the Del Mar Hilton
If you're in the area I hope you'll stop by.
I'd love to meet you.

It's been over a year since I've done any kind of show

SO I'm getting really excited & really nervous.
I always get overwhelmed & overcome with anxiety about the whole thing.
But this market is such a good opportunity that I didn't want to pass it up.

Right now I'm a little a lot overwhelmed with my booth set-up.

I've never had a one that I've really loved.

And it makes all the difference.

So I really want to plan it out and

cute it out and make it the best I can.

I walked around Cedros to get creative for displays

And  I came across this simple book shelf.

and thought: hmmmmmmmmmm.
Heck, I have a drill.

maybe I can do that.

Here's my idea:

{Can you picture it?}

(Did I mention that this wanting to do art is a

never-ending problem-solving adventure?!?)

add to the list of things to learn:
how to build tall structures out of wood while 8 months pregnant.

Today my assisstant (Jack) & I will go to Home Depot
and beg for someone to help us.

Am I a little insane? Probably.
But then I think, heck, if 50 vendors can figure this
whole "cool-looking booth" thing out, I can figure it out, too.
Right?
Any suggestions?
I'll let you know how it goes...

The business side of art

ahhhhhhhhhh... the business side.
just the phrase makes me want to run.
screaming.

But I have to say that
at this moment
I am thankful for it.
yes, thankful.
because as much as it taunts me,
i'm learning so much
and proving to myself
i can really do it.

i'm learning that every
little business hurdle
is just a google search away.

does anyone remember life before google?

i'm learning that
this learning curve
that has been straight up
for me
is really just
one baby step after another.

and i'm learning that
i can do
whatever I want to do...

now the question is
what do i want?

i made a collection of blogs,over to the left, that have helped me along the way.
maybe they can help you too.

How doing the business stuff makes me a better artist...

Artfest Epiphany #37

Doing the business stuff I hate makes me a better artist.

After talking with her on our 2 hour drive to from Seattle to Port Townsend I realized a bunch of stuff about the business side of art that I hate so much.

a.) It pushes me out of my comfy clothes, my little box, and into something a little scary. I keep running up against these fears. And I have to walk through them in order to do what I really want to do: make art. It's good practice.

b.) It forces me to go places I don't want to go and do stuff I don't want to do (i.e.figuring taxes out)which makes me realize that I can really go there. wow.
which translates to confidence in all areas ofmy life. hmmmm. deep.

c.) It makes me think differently, try different things, find new solutions, which is essentially what creativity is:finding different paths, no making different paths to who knows where...

and to grow as an artist I need to practice stepping outside of my comfortable place and risk failure. failure with paint and failure with gross business stuff.

So, isn't that so typical? The stuff I avoid is usually the stuff I need the most...

So, what are you doing to make yourself uncomfortable these days? I'd love to hear what you are thinking about.

Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway from the last post.