Another Occasional Blog Post...brought to you by the letter "P" (as in "procrastination")

Well, lookit that.  It's only a blog post from me - Queen of the occasional rambles.

While it has been a moderately busy time of late, that's really no excuse.  In any event, here I am, typing at ya.

I most recently was busy preparing for, and then attending, Parisian Promenade in Greensboro, NC.  It turned out to be a really nice day!  Not too hot, although it was a bit humid, and even though we were under threat of thunderstorms, the weather held out and we made it through the afternoon rain-free.  I think this might have been one of the biggest turnouts at Parisian Promenade - at least in the 3 years I've vended there.  It was a busy day, and I had a really good sales day, as well, for which I am very grateful.  It's hard being an artist and making a living at it, and we artists are so thankful for our patrons and fans.  Every print sold means we can pay a portion of a bill, buy a portion of groceries, and can PAINT MORE!

I'm doing more shows this year than ever - after FaerieCon in November, I will have done at least 5 appearances this year (there may be a couple of other opportunities for shows locally between now and the end of the year).  I actually submitted work to DragonCon this year, and was accepted - but, due to the amount of artists applying, and space limitations, I wound up wait-listed.  Still, it was a nice opportunity, and it was good to get feedback from the jurors about what works, and what needs improvement.

The next event is in just a couple of weeks - Greensboro Summer Solstice which is such good fun!  Kids and adults alike come dressed in their faerie finery, and the mood is so light and joyful!  I am really looking forward to it.  If you're in the Greensboro, NC area - you should come check it out - it's free to get in, and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.  It's on Saturday 22nd June this year, from 3pm until 8pm for the bazaar, and there will be fire dancing and live music afterwards until 9 or 10.

Hope you are all having a lovely late spring!

FaerieCon 2012

I'm back from FaerieCon!  Thank you to all of you who came by my table and said hello and made me feel welcome in the Faerie Realm - and thanks especially to all who made a purchase! :)

I could attempt to wax poetic about how wonderful it was (because it WAS wonderful), but this post by C.S.E. Cooney best describes the magic that is FaerieCon:  FaerieCon: The Things They Don't Tell You.  I could never hope to top that - and it's all true!

It was my first time vending (and only second time attending) FaerieCon, and I was nervous!  I needn't have been.  My vendor neighbours were fantastically welcoming and helpful (shoutout to Herbal Turtle Teas, The Leather Lair, Lithia's Creations, and authors Patrick Thomas and John French!), and when the doors opened, there was so much bright energy from the crowds that my nervousness just melted away!

It was such a pleasure to see old friends and acquaintances: Ash Evans, Leah and Shane Odom, Chrissy and Marc Hudgins, Meredith Dillman, and Jenny Davies-Reazor, and a great honor to meet Jasmine Becket-Griffith and Rachel Anderson (both of whom I've had an online acquaintance with for years, but never met in person until this past weekend), and Terri Windling-Gayton who has been such an inspiration.  I also met another online acquaintance, Megan Congdon, although I didn't realize it at the time, as it was early on the Friday and I was a bit shell-shocked and dazed by the magical enormity of it all.

Such fun new discoveries, too - Wotan the Faerie Smasher, Bill and Sam Cass with Nymbol and friends, and so many purveyors of excellent faerie finery, scents, tastes, and beautiful art.  The Good and Bad Faeries Balls were enormous fun, with excellent performances from wonderful bands and solo artists.  And so many beautiful, strange, and/or mesmerizing costumes - an artist's inspiration fantasyland!

I've posted most of the photos I snapped in an album on my Facebook page, but here are a couple of me in all my silly glory, made up for the Balls!

Good Mary

Bad Mary

Click for my Facebook FaerieCon 2012 album - I don't think a Facebook account is needed to view the album, although you'd have to have one to 'like' or 'comment'!

StellarCon this weekend!

Honestly, I am totally writing the FaerieCon post - it's in my drafts, just waiting for me to finish.  I've just been busy is all.  I'm getting ready for StellarCon this weekend (2-4 March), and although I won't be at a table, I will be hanging around during the weekend, in and out of the Art Show, so do pop in if you're in the area!  I'll be debuting some new art - a fan-art piece inspired by Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of The Wind, and another piece (check my twitter, facebook, and/or Google+ feeds for a teaser).

Oh - and the buy one get one free print sale ends on Wednesday - I'll be shipping on Thursday, any orders placed after that will ship starting Monday, after the convention!