Event: Art on the Lawn Art Festival, Kennesaw, GA

Mark these important dates and times on your calendar:

October 18th and 19th, 2008
10am - 4pm

You are cordially invited to attend the above subject art festival presented by the North Cobb Arts League and The Art Station at Big Shanty. Here's another important piece of info you'll want to write down:

Booth #25

Yes, that's where I will be located with all my art (or "stuff" as hubby calls it!)

There will be to plenty of things for you and your family to do including art activities, food, music and of course, shopping for art. Specifically, my art located at:

Booth #25

The Etowah Jazz Society from Cartersville, GA will be performing from 1-4 pm on Sunday. The 2008 NCAL Juried Art Exhibition will be on display in The Art Station building during the festival too.

So, here's a recap of information for this fun and entertaining event:

What: 5th Annual Art on the Lawn Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2008
Time: 10 am to 4 pm (both days)
Location: The Art Station at Big Shanty
Address: 2050 Kennesaw Due West Road, Kennesaw, GA 30152 (map)
Phone: 770-514-5930
Website: www.ncart.org/tas
Booth: Here's a hint: Oh, to be 25 again (in my dreams!)


Please visit me and mention you read this blurb on my blog. Remember too, Saturday, October 18, (the opening day of the festival) is Sweetest Day. Surprise your loved one with a unique piece of original art by supporting a local artist.

My Art Studio Renovation

Here I am with my trusted friend, Lucy, painting my studio. Yes, I said STUDIO--yippee!!! I've been without one for three long years, since our move from Chicago.

Check out the muddy taupe paint color on the wall that came with our home. I'm delighted it's gone--yippee!!!

I spent last weekend in and out of the studio and attic placing 15 @ 50 watt halogen light fixtures. You can see some of them in the top of the picture with brown paper bags over them for protection during my painting party. Nothing worse for an artist than not having enough light. My studio is going to glow--yippee!!!

This weekend while I was painting, Steve built several pieces of furniture and cut the baseboard for built-in placement. He's such a great guy. I could not have done this without him. (Love you Mr. Calvey!!!)

This upcoming week, I'll be painting window trim and baseboard along with grouting tile in the bay window, Lucy's favorite spot for "Catching 'rays". Then comes the fun part--organizing my studio and creating art once again--yippee!!!

North Cobb Arts League

The Georgia Arts Exchange emailed me an art listing update. Contained within was a blurb regarding the North Cobb Arts League (NCAL).

While researching the organization, I was invited to meet members on Saturday, August 23rd during the Melodies of the Meadow concert series featuring the Army Ground Forces Jazz Guardians. NCAL was providing food service for the musicians being held at The Art Station - Big Shanty in Kennesaw, GA.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the employees of The Art Station and members of NCAL while helping with buffet prep. I learned about art classes being offered through Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, NCAL events and viewed the current gallery exhibit at The Art Station. (Visits are free and open to the public, Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm.)

Upon evaluation, I joined NCAL and am excited to participate in upcoming classes and events. Yippee!

Boy Scouts of America Interview

Recently, my neighbor, Adam, who is a Boy Scout, interviewed me to learn about my small business, Good Girl Designs. He asked numerous in depth questions about my company including my business plan, product development, marketing, selling, etc.

Adam interviewed me, with Lucy there in the picture getting a butt rub--ha!, for over an hour. Afterwards, I gave him of a tour of my studio and stockroom showing him my art supplies, original art, reproduction items (prints, cards, magnets, list pads), packaging, displays and more.

Adam, here's to earning your merit badge for Entreprenuership on the road to your Eagle Scout. Hip-hip-hooray!

Bathroom Renovation--Laying Tile

I learned how to lay and grout tile a few months ago. Here are a few pictures of my newly tiled bathroom sink area.

I purchased various white ceramic tiles from Home Depot and Lowe's and created my design on a paper template. (The red tiles are broken china pieces.) I hand cut the tile to fit where necessary and glued them in place with mastik. I mixed and slathered on the grout and wiped it smooth (what seemed like a million times, mind you!). I painted on sealer and caulked a few days later.

Fortunately for me, I sealed the tile including the existing floor. When I pulled off the blue painters tape, three sections of paint came off along the perimeter of my newly tiled area. Time to patch and paint. I brought in a can of paint for touch-ups. Can you guess what happened? Yes, you are correct, the can of paint spilled all over. Ugh!

I did a "Steve" and screamed the "F" word from the top of my lungs. My electrician came running asking if everything was okay. I showed him the spill and promptly said "Well, I'll see if that tile sealer I painted on the night before works." It did. Yippee!!!

While wiping up the paint, suddenly a "light bulb" moment occurred. I grabbed the roller and started using up the paint from the floor. Why waste paint, right? Lesson learned: Always seal your grout, makes for easy clean-up.

The following week, it was time to decorate. The two small red framed prints (1st pic) are from Utah artist, Jamie Johnson and the larger one (2nd pic) from StoryPeople artist, Brian Andreas. (Earlier this year I watched HGTV's Green Home Show building Brian's new eco-friendly "green" home in Santa Barbara, CA.) While hanging Brian's print, the hammer slipped. Ugh, again! It fell on my new tile job. Fortunately, there weren't any cracked tiles. Only a small piece of grout chipped out. I love lightweight tack hammers!

Looking back, I've come full circle with my tile laying. Best of all, I have a really cool looking bathroom that satisfies my creative muse within.

Project Runway Challenge

Fashion Designer, Jonelle, recently sent me this photo of her latest fashion creation for Oxy-Jen. Jonelle created the outfit seen here of her home state football team. Go Buckeyes!

I think this should be a challenge for the designers on my favorite television show, Project Runway, as seen on Bravo TV. I've watched every episode from the start. (Jay is my all-time favorite designer. Laura is my 2nd favorite designer.)

Hey Heidi and Tim! I think it would be a very unique and interesting challenge to have the designers create a weeks worth of oxygen tank outfits for people like Jonelle. I know it would lift her spirits to have designer oxygen tank clothes--ha! I can Jonelles's laughter now as she reads this. As they say on the show, "It's sew time....."

Meet My Fashion Designer Friend, Jonelle

This is my good friend, Jonelle, with her good friend, Oxy-Jen. Jonelle lives on oxygen 24/7. She uses her artistic talents to create new outfits for her baby, Oxy-Jen, whom she pushes along in a stroller.

Check back soon for new fashion designs by Jonelle!