Thought-Full Art Studio

A conversation...

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Spring Shows Begin

Finally 2022 is well underway, COVID cases are low (albeit rising – stay alert, my friends!), and spring shows are blooming! I’m getting ready for my first 2022 show – the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts.

I’ve participated in this show pretty much each year for over 45 years. It is always a delight and a wonderful show – both from the standpoint of the artists and the visitors! I was fortunate to be able to show last June when they had to delay the spring show due to a COVID uptick. April is SO much better – nicer weather and hopefully fewer people will be out of town on vacation!

I am in booth 24-B. Drop by, say hi, and buy some art! 🙂

God bless!

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Edom Art Festival – 10/9-10/10

I’m looking forward to participating in the Edom Art Festival in October. This will be my only show this Fall. Hoping that people will get vaccinated and wear masks until we get Covid under control and that next Spring will be a better show season for all artists. I am not sure if the festival world will survive if we cannot get this under control by the end of this year. It is extremely tough to put on festivals – requiring a LOT of paid and volunteer work. Many festivals and artists took a hard financial hit when Covid started because spring show costs had already been paid out. Since that time, it has been hard to catch up. If you can safely do so, please vaccinate, wear a mask, and show up for artists. Consider purchasing online from their various outlets. I have a shop on this site and also have some items available on Society6.

My son is a talented artist and he also has items available on Society6 and through other venues. Young artists, in particular, have been hit by the lack of viable venues. While selling virtually is great – selling directly to people standing right in front of you is so important to artists. Getting feedback and encouragement from customers is one of the most valuable and treasured opportunities of art festivals.

Be safe out there! Hope to see you soon in person!

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Cottonwood Art Festival

The Cottonwood Art Festival begins tomorrow! The hours are Saturday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, and Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. I am in a new location this year. As you come into the park gates off Belt Line, I am in the area on your right – 2nd row back. This is a nice shady area so I’m looking forward to people feeling more comfortable and spend longer looking at my work.

I have a number of originals that have not been shown previously at Cottonwood and am excited to see how folks respond.

This is a terrific event with a huge number of excellent artists and artisan crafters. I hope you will be able to make it out. I would enjoy hearing from you on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ThoughtFullArt/ While there, a “Like” would be greatly appreciated! Catch you this weekend!

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The year continues to be interesting…

In my previous post I noted that I had come successfully through surgery but that my Fall show season was likely over. As I completed my full two months post surgery, I was feeling great and planning to attend the final show in my schedule: Randy Brodnax and Friends Christmas Art Show the weekend of December 2-4. Then, on November 12th, while checking my mail, a young man hit me with his car. I don’t remember the hit itself, or most of the time in the ER and ICU. But I was left with numerous injuries that are going to take a bit of time to overcome. The GOOD NEWS is that recovery should be full and complete in time. I had numerous facial and oral injuries, as well as numerous contusions and abrasions. We have one lingering concern with my neck. But this could have been so much worse. I’m grateful to be alive and that I can look forward, in the future, to doing my art and enjoying my family, home, and life.

I won’t be attending the final show this fall, but I do hope that you will make an effort to go by if you are in the area. This Christmas Show brings together a wonderful and eclectic group of artists and is always fun and interesting. Held in the Sons of Hermann Hall (3414 Elm Street – Dallas TX), it is a hoot just to walk through the building. If you are looking for unique, well made and executed art, jewelry, pottery, glass blown objects, artisan dolls and more – don’t miss this one-time-per-year opportunity.

As for me, I am working hard to heal and recover and be ready for the spring shows. I have a number of them lined out and expect to have many new originals available.

A special word of thanks to friends, family, and the wonderful doctors, nurses, and other caregivers in the Denton Regional Hospital. God has richly blessed us and we are so grateful for the visits, prayers, food, love, and care in the past two weeks. I am especially thankful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for keeping me from even worse harm and for surrounding me with the love of so many. Life is good!

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Unexpected Fall Show Schedule Interruption

A few weeks ago I ran into some unexpected health issues and had to bow out of all my then-planned fall shows. I’m happy to report that my health is much improved, though I have a bit of a recovery period ahead. My hope is to be able to attend the final show of my normal fall season. If so, I’ll be posting more information here. In the interim, my wife continues to “man the fort” in terms of getting the website updated, adding prints to the store, and manning correspondence surrounding sales, getting things mailed out, etc. It has not been easy, but we are looking forward to better days ahead!