Calypso, 24 x 36 acrylic painting by Tammy Vitale $375

Whew!  Made it through the very hot (88 degrees in October! plus humidity!) weekend and I’d say the show was a success!  Showing in the Calvert Artist’s Guild’s tent, I even had 5 screens of paintings because they had extra space and I always have more work! of one sort or another.  Husband is happy too.  He got Kettle Korn.  He only gets it this time of year at the festivals and is totally addicted to it.  Can’t stop until it’s gone.  Me – ick.  So he has it all to himself.  And the dogs (who will eat anything but lettuce).

Sales were mild – certainly not my best ever.  But one woman bought something from me for the 3rd year in a row (she makes it a point to buy something every year – I love that!), I have leads for 2 possible torso sales and one possible mermaid sale or commission.  What this means is that I actually took down contact information of folks I talked to – this is a step in the right direction for me.  I have not exploited these contacts in the past, but now I will with follow-up communication.  I got invitations to hang my work in two new spaces:  a hair/spa right there on Solomons, and a mental health clinic in Prince Frederick (she came looking for me, having seen my work at Body in Balance massage clinic in Prince Frederick, and wants the inspirational tiles).  And I got an invitation to a one-woman show at the Lexington Park Library (43 linear feet of display for 1.5 months).  As always, what sells at the show is often secondary to the contacts made during the show.  Plus I got to watch lots of people admire my work, which is always pleasing.

Husband came up for break down.  I realized I’d left half of my packing boxes at home (he was on his motorcycle so couldn’t help with space), but with his help and some patience (and some impatience, I’ll admit to on my part) we managed to get everything safely in the car which I have to unpack at some point today and reorganize for the big Unique Boutique show at Hollywood firehouse next month.  I did that show for the first time last year and it was the best show I ever had in terms of sales.  And everyone said how bad it was because they had to hold it on their not regular weekend.  So I’m looking forward to it this year, and need to get back in the studio and make make make.  I also have to calendar visiting several of my "away" shops in Havre de Grace and Cambridge, MD, and Charlottesville, VA.  Speaking of Charlottesville, one of my clients over the weekend actually lives down there and said:  I knew I’d seen your work before!  That’s great to know! 

So 2 new shops down and 18 more to go.  Oh!  HELP STILL WANTED.  Life came along and took one of my responders away….so if you’re interested in bartering for my work and like talking on the phone, send me an email.

Is everyone ready for a productive week?  Leah – are you reading?  are you breathing and relaxing?  (she’s getting married very soon – everyone send bright light and happy wishes).

thought for the day:  How do you think of altruism?  Do you think of altruism as sacrificing one’s own happiness for the sake of others or as gaining one’s happiness through the happiness of others?  Raymond M. Smullyan, The Tao is Silent