Mount Dora Fine Art Festival

My husband, Harry, and I headed to Mount Dora Friday afternoon to set up for the weekend show. It was cloudy and a bit windy. We were prepared for rain and cold having learned over the years you never know what will happen with the weather.

When I first participated in this show years ago we drove back home to Ocala each night which is a 1+ hour drive. This made for VERY early rising in order to be set up on time in the mornings. That got old so for the next few years we stayed in a hotel in Mount Dora. This was fine, but we still had to get to the show early each morning in order to get a parking space close to our booth. Last year we treated ourselves and stayed at the historic Lake View Inn, which is pricy for a working weekend, but nice because we were able to park our van close to my booth space and leave it there the whole weekend. Last year we discovered a delightful Bed and Breakfast right on the main street and made a reservation. It turned out to be just around the corner from my booth and we parked the van just a few feet away. This working weekend turned into a mini vacation. We had an adorable room on the second floor with bath, sitting room with a dinning table that overlooked the art show and full kitchen. It was convenient to return to the room during the day to take a break and get a snack out of the refrigerator. Friday and Saturday nights we strolled around town and had dinner with friends. Yes, we already have our reservation for next year!

Saturday dawned bright, clear and sunny! I do not remember such glorious weather for the Mount Dora Show in years. After all the gloomy days we have been experiencing it seemed as if the whole world rejoiced in being outside and turned out in huge numbers. The streets were packed both days.

I had decent sales of smaller items Saturday. Sunday was my biggest sales day with several original paintings finding homes along with several framed giclee prints. There is the possibility of a couple of commissions for people who want a specific size painting and one who wants a particular spot depicted in the painting.

There was a charming young man from Indianapolis in the booth next to me. He is just beginning his art career with all the enthusiasm of youth. Please check out his web site (www.supershwa.com) I believe he is an up and commer and someone whose art you need to add to your collection now, before it gets too expensive! By the way, his name is Josh Rush. Look him up at the Melbourne show coming in a couple of weeks, and tell him I said HI!

I also had the good fortune to have my booth just across the aisle from friend, Out of Hand Artists Salon associate, and super artist Mary Verrandeaux. She went to Ringling School of Art and has been in the field for a while but like Josh, is fairly new to the art show world. Her web site is www.mverrandeaux.com Mary's work is bold and will brighten up any wall. Don't miss the opportunity to include her paintings in your collection before her prices go through the roof.

And guess what! I had a painting selected by two of the three judges for award consideration. I did not receive a final award, but like they say at the Oscars, "It was nice to be nominated".

All in all, this was a really great show and a pleasure to be in Florida.