This past weekend I participated in my first art show of the year. I absolutely love this show with all of my heart because I get to be part of an “Art Family.” The show is Free Range Art Show in Grafton, WI and is situatued on the charming and lovely farm of jeweler, Nancy Going. I was lucky enough to be invited to participate a few year ago by a dear artist pal, Megan Woodward-Johnson and for that, I am so grateful.

We had the BEST weather and a wonderful turn out. The show, for me, always serves as reminder of why I like showing my work at shows and fairs. Art fairs can be difficult and exhausting (load-in wind, rain, long hours, load-out.) But every art fair ALWAYS gives the opportunity to meet VERY interesting people. Free Range (whish has a very gentle load-in, set-up, load-up procedure) was no exception.

Here are some highlights:

A woman who said, “These paintings are Memories.” not they “look like memories.”

A woman who goes to Paris every year and speak French fluently. She tried to help me with the gutteral pronunciation of the word “smile” - “sourire” - I am still working on it.

A gentleman from the Isle of Guernsey ( who did not enjoy the book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel but recommmended, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page instead.

A young lady who purchased prints for all of her family just becasue she liked the positive sayings.

A lovely couple who purchased one of my paintings and with whom I chatted about Paris. Every time a person points to one of my paintings and says they would like to buy it, I am filled with awe, joy, surprise and gratitude. Every time.

A fellow painter who offered to take me on a tour of her studio in Marsall building.

And of course dear friends and family who are islands of calm and familiarity

I am looking forward to the next fair on the grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum - Lakefront Fetsival of Art (June 14-16th.) I am an LFOA artist advisor so I get to help with the load-in procedure. I am going to make sure my “Sourire” is nice and big and welcoming to my fellow artists.