Preparing for the Mount Horeb Spring Art Tour

Hopefully, it will become part of my subconscious to post messages. My professional life is never dull. Each day seems to be packed with things to do. Last night there was a spot on "All things considered" about musicians who were taking things into their own hands and circumventing the standard channels of recording, producing and distributing their music. "Wait a minute", I thought. "That is how it always has been for me!" Of course, I hold with the highest regard the many people who have truly helped me and my career as an artist. There are, of course, the art galleries, who, knowing that there is not a ton of money to be made by selling my mostly small etchings, have featured my work in exhibits time and again. But, basically, it boils down to much time being spent just keeping on top of the professional side of things. There is more to it than meets the eye. These are the kinds of things that no one ever tells you about when you are a student. We learn as we go. I always am giving myself talks, encouraging myself, with the end result being a sort of unusual happiness with the uncertainty of things...a life on the edge where that which for many comes as a paycheck at the end of every two weeks, is for me is only a maybe. It is exciting. Honest.

One event that is coming up in my schedule is the Third Annual Mount Horeb Spring Art Tour (http://www.mhaaa.org/). It will be held on June 12, 13, and 14. This will be my second year as a participant. Last year was, to say the least, interesting. The road to Blue Mounds was torn up and under construction. There were also torrential rains on that weekend. I was amazed and completely surprised when, in spite of the conditions, very engaged and interested people actually appeared at my studio door! I am eager to participate again. So eager am I, that I canceled my participation in the Old Town Art Fair in Chicago. I have been an exhibitor in that event pretty much continuously since 1981. It is one of those art fairs that are truly an institution. Narrow 19th century streets make it logistically quite difficult to set up booths, etc. I love and will truly miss all of the energy that is there. Back to the spring art tour. There will be events leading up to it...not sure of what they will be, but there will be a preview exhibit at the Overture Center in Madison, which should be fun. ALSO....tomorrow evening there will be a pot luck get together of the participating artists and spouses. It will be held at my studio. Oh, oh...guess I better clean this place up. Jesi, who has been working twice a week as an intern at my studio, will come early and help with set up. If I have some presence of mind, I will grab my camera and take a shot or two of the attendees!