Frog Blog

I really wanted to start classes in Wapakoneta next month but will have to wait until Spring. I didn't realize how long it takes to secure a building or a room for classes! Even though I jumped the gun a little and told people about wanting to start classes, I'm still excited about the prospect. With the help of the Wapak Chamber of Commerce, area artists are exploring the possibilities of forming an artist' co-op. We've had one meeting and will meet again in a month. A building may be offered to us that could be used as a gallery, workshop spaces, and studios. We are looking at the many avenues available and leaving our options open. If all goes well, I and many other artists will have a nice place to work, study, and display our finished pieces. I'll keep you updated as time goes by. If you are in the Wapakoneta, Ohio area and would like more information, please send an e-mail to me, through the website.

Once in awhile I will be adding photos of conventions, classes, and friends in this area. Even though I had written about my experiences at HOOT in a past entry, I didn't have a photo until Amy Driscoll sent a few via e-mail. This was a shot Amy set-up with her digital camera right after the banquet on Friday evening. She wanted to get a good picture while we were all dressed up. (A big change from the T-shirt and jeans we were used to seeing.)

At the banquet, Amy had to sit up front with the convention committee (she was in charge of publicity) while lowly people like myself had to sit in the back of the room with the "riff-raff". (Just kidding...I was sitting with Arlene Newman, her friend, and the two gals from the New England Traditions Convention.) In fact, I was lucky to get a seat, I'm always late with my reservation! Thank you for your help, banquet chair!

Vera had gone to dinner with her son and met us in our room afterward. It is always a treat to go to HOOT and such a let down to see it pass by so quickly. I can hardly wait for next year! The theme will be "Painting Is Something To Crow About!"

The Society of Decorative Painters held their annual meeting, at the Tampa Convention Center, last May. This is a view of the facility from our room at the Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina. We were surprised at the quality of our photos taken through the extra thick glass.

Karen Hamilton, Rodney Ann Bensman, Vera Collier, and myself were room mates. Vera flew down from her home near Bear Lake, Michigan while the rest of us squeezed into my husband's pick-up truck. We made great time, only taking a day and a half in both directions.

This is another view from our room at the Marriott. Just below our window was a lighted roof-top pool! It was so beautiful at night.

Vera's son, Ryan, recommended this restaurant. We were lucky to get a table with a view of the ocean.

Rodney Ann takes pictures of flowers outside the Bahama Breeze. You'd think we'd never seen flowers before! I was just as bad with my camera.
Karen and Vera wait patiently. We were all getting pretty darn hungry. The food was terrific, by the way!

Roomies Karen Hamilton, Rodney Ann Bensman, and Vera Collier pose for me along the shore of Tampa Bay. We couldn't leave Florida without dipping our toes in the ocean and collect a few sea shells. We are in a small wildlife preserve near Apollo Beach.

Karen Hamilton takes a liesurely walk along the beach. Million dollar homes are shown in the distance. The Apollo Beach area is known for its upscale homes and large new condos.

I know a little about this area because Craig's parents stay in Ruskin (a few miles south of here) for the winter.

This was the beautiful view of the bay, from our room. We had such a great time in Tampa! From riding the trolly to walking down to old town, it was well worth the trip! I'd love to go back when I have more time to explore.

It had been a whirlwind week, but so well worth the work. I've always looked forward to HOOT, in each of the 14 years I've attended. This was my sixth year as a vender. Arriving on Tuesday, I began to set-up in the sweltering heat & humidity, dispite the efforts to air condition the hall.

That afternoon, I was happy to take a break and give a demo on DecoArt Weathered Wood Crackle Medium, which went well, after a few road bumps. And you "road bumps" know who you are! I think some of these painters lay awake at night thinking up ways to stump the teacher! And they did stump me, more than once, with questions that I couldn't answer. But, I will find answers and post them here in the near future. After tip-toeing over the road bumps, I managed to make it over to the first demo board. When it wouldn't crackle, I started to wonder if Rod Serling was hinding around the corner!But, I'm not easily shaken, so we just laughed and moved onto all the other successful boards and samples. Overall, it was a fun demo. But, I also bribed the audience with free stuff, just in case!

My room mates were my good friends, Amy Driscoll and Vera Collier. We were like kids at summer camp! Our neighbors were Deb Stauffer, Karen Hamilton, Cheryl Young, "Peggy Kay Lucy", and Cathy Linstedt, of course! We played hit and run, gift bag tag which was better than a flaming bag of doggie doo-doo! Little Orphan Annie crashed the party after brushing her teeth. And even though we laughed most of the time, nothing got wet. It Depends on us. (Note: We are all over 50 except Amy, who is pregnant and basically, in the same boat!)

My daughter Angie & I developed a popular product that sold out at the convention! The "Grip & Twist" is a paint bottle seal remover, a coaster, and a mini-mouse pad, all-in-one! We are in the process of making more, so give us a week to fill orders. You will find this product on the new Product/Surface catagory of the website in just a few days. It sells for $2.00, making a very nice, inexpensive gift/stocking stuffer. People were ordering them by the dozen for classes, chapters, and friends. If you were in my class, you got a free one!

Friday I taught my first HOOT class. It was an original design called, "Star of Wonder!" Christmas card in acrylic washes, on watercolor paper. A big "Thank you!" goes out to the DecoArt Company for providing Americana Bottle Acrylics for the class. I loved the students and they loved me back...so to speak. I really appreciated them coming to class, even though they were tired from the long week of activities. One fraudulent student was able to come in and filch the project. It's amazing that this type of thing still happens. I hope she gets the psychiatric help she needs! I don't care about the money loss, but she has betrayed a trust that is shared between painters. You all know what I'm talking about. We are all sisters...and you don't do something like that to your sister.

If you get a chance to go to convention....take it!! It is so much fun. You will grow as an artist and make so many new friends. If money is a factor, apply for some of the scholarships available through your local chapters or the SDP. Get three friends to share a room and transportation with. You will never regret going!

Over and Out for now!
Bless Your Heart!.........................Deb