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Last week was a busy one for Christina Nicole Originals. We had an art show to prepare for and lots of work to do. Sunday, Feb 5th was the soft opening of Austin's Open Air Farmer's Market in Cedar Park (North Austin.)  I caught wind of the event off of craig's list, and thought, "no brainer, art show here we come!"  So it was time to get to work.

 First, off to Home Depot to explore the idea of building an adequate display booth to hang my paintings. They must sturdy, attractive, able to appropriately hang my work, and most importantly cheap and easy for two under skilled carpenters to assemble.  There's wood paneling, wire cages, lattice... barbwire fence??  So many options! 

And then there's the problem of weighing the tent down.  If you've never seen a 10x10 ft, 65 lb, canvas, pop up gazebo take flight on a particularly breezy day, believe me, you want to try to avoid it.  With all the children expected to be around, it could become quite messy. 

So we settled with wooden lattice panels, zip ties, buckets full of sand, a goodwill table, a graciously borrowed table, a bedsheet, oh... and had to include some ugly black and orange Halloween rope.  (I thought I had previously mentioned "attractive?"-- Ben!) It actually wasn't a bad set up at all, for a couple of first timers.

So the market was scheduled for 8am, rain or shine.  Unfortunately when we left the house that morning (before the sun had officially risen, mind you) it looked like it would more along the lines of "rain or rain."  We arrived, set up, goofed around, and took part in our first of many open air farmer's markets. 

Besides the fact that the wind and rain were whipping my canvases off the display boards, we were freezing our noses off, surviving on 2.5 hours of sleep, and we didn't sell any art, we had a great time.  Our #1 fans also showed up with hot coffee and sustenance (thanks again you two!)  So, ok, I didn't make a thousand dollars, but my new business cards were a huge hit and I was actually featured on the 5:30 evening ABC news!  Many people complimented my art, and I had several interested in following up with me later.  Overall a great success!

The market will continue year round, every weekend, 10am-3pm rain or shine.  Although we might not be able to make it every Sunday, it is definitely a fun and eventful way to spend a day.  We will be back!

The News Story:

How fancy!!  Looks like yet another step toward realizing my dream!  Yes, perhaps a little presumptuous, but how could I pretend like a real artist without real artist cards?  Thanks to my business partner- who is certain he will be able to retire at age 50 because I will be a world renowned artist- I am now able to flaunt my fledgling art career around to anyone and everyone I see, or to at least those who are willing to take one of my cards.  Yes, I am certainly on my way. 

Getting my work out there is important and art shows will be my next step.  Oh, and I've been researching tons of shows all over Texas.  Believe me, there are plenty to go around.  Dallas, Houston, Austin of course... At least two a month all throughout Spring and Summer.  Most of them are juried, which means I have to submit art and a panel of judges vote whether it's worthy of their show.  Then there are fees... jury fees, application fees, booth space rental fees, etc.  It takes money to make money my friends.  But it's a really exciting prospect that my work will be seen by up to 30,000 people!  (A big Dallas one that I'll be shooting for Spring 2013)  Along with painting up a storm to get ready for anything I can find this year, that is the plan- fame and fortune!, or maybe just a dream come true.   

I am standing on the edge of uncertainty.  Behind me?  I know that boring path; I've dragged my feet down it for years.  Before me?  A beautiful, exciting, uncertain horizon.  I am capable of soaring to great heights and conquering all odds, yet I am just as likely to come crashing down, a little bruised and highly disappointed from the failed adventure.  So here's the big question: Which path do I follow?  Ha.. was there ever even a question??

*******

 

There! I did it! I am officially a professional artist.  Sounds easy, right? Well good news is there is nowhere to go but up from here.  And I am beyond excited about the prospect of creating art as a part time job, if not just a lucrative hobby.  Ever since I was a little one- some of my first memories are of my mother shoving crayons in my tiny hands and commanding, "Draw!"- I have loved art.  I am happiest when I am creating.  This includes, but is not limited to: pencils, ink, pottery, collages, treasure hunts, websites (apparently), mosaics, markers, charcoal, scrapbooks, photography, printing, and most importantly to me, painting. 

I know this will be a long road filled with ups and downs... excitements and disappointments... winning the gold and falling flat on my face.  But I am eager to pursue this challenging journey and prove to those skeptics out there that I will not become just another "starving artist," ...although that actually might double as a pretty decent diet plan if this whole thing completely tanks!

Nevertheless, I invite you to join me on my journey.  I have so much support and encouragement from so many who love me, especially one in particular (you know who you are Cakes.) To all my fans out there, please... Visit my site, tell your friends, leave comments and suggestions, oh.. and most importantly, BUY MY ART!  :)