Thursday, October 1, 2009

Halloween and Vine and Ghoultide Gathering


First I want to report that Halloween and Vine is one of the most exciting and dynamic Halloween shows I have ever attended, but then again those of you that have attended before or know the work of the artists participating in the show already knew that!! The show gave me the opportunity to actually see the work of Scott Smith, Johanna Parker, Lori Ann Corelis, Nicol Sayre, William Bezek, Christy Silacci, Kerry Howard-Schmidt, Vergie Lightfoot, Ginny Betourne, Jorge de Rojas, Katherine Webber, Susie Scott and the list goes on and on...all a visual feast for the eyes and senses!! I don't know how to explain to you how much more impressive the work is to actually see it in person, hold and turn in your hand to see all of the detail and nuances of the surface, and to see it's actual size...especially when the artists' work already looks great in a photograph. The other thing is that every artists I met was just the nicest person...really, really friendly and encouraging and it just made for such a great experience. Equally wonderful were the collectors that came to the show and were so generous with their comments and purchases. Everyone was smiling in the building and that makes for such a great atmosphere that you are just happy to be exposed to such positive energy from people that share a love for Halloween just like you do! (Plus I got to meet Dani, Leah and Melissa!!)

If you ever get the chance to go to Petaluma, I highly recommend the event and the wine...oops, did I say wine?!! We stayed within walking distance of the old downtown and the restaurants and shops were wonderful and the citizen's really love their community, and like to share that with you. It made for that "icing on the cake" you always hope to experience when you are traveling. Of course, good food and drink tend to be a priority for some of us and after seeing myself in the photographs this year I really need to do a little less of the food!! Yikes!


I've included some shots of my table from last Saturday before the show opened.


Poor Scott, I was like a groupie you always hear about meeting someone they admire for the first time!! He was a trooper and posed for a photograph with me. His work is inspiring and if you can attend Ghoultide Gathering this Saturday, October 3, in Mill Race Village, Northville, MI, Scott will be there along with another great group of Halloween artists I so admire! Fellow EHAG artists Carolee Clark, Kristen Beason, Pam Gracia and Lori Brechlin will also be there. It would be so worth the trip, trust me!


There will be other artists posting about both events in the coming days so keep an eye out for some great displays!!

Have a great day!
Laurie

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks and sounds wonderful!! I sooo wish that I could have been there. Congratulations on a great show!!

PEA said...

Laurie,
You are as cute as your wonderful work. Everything looked so wonderful. I hope the show was a good one and pass the wine honey. I could use a good drink after this week. LOL
Oh I hope to visit you there someday.
blessings,Pea

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie...
I was driving from Novato to Florence Oregon... and I told my husband STOP we need to stop in Petaluma!!! For Halloween and Vine... But alas it was 4:30 and you were all closing down
: ( I was so bummed... I missed the chance.

Maybe next year!
Your table looks fabulous!
Pattee

Traci Paynter said...

Wow Laurie - your table looks awesome - I love it!!! I don't know how you don't covet all your creations - THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Old Fashion Halloween said...

Your set up looks wonderful. I was pressing my nose up to the screen to see all the goodies!

Lynn Stevens said...

Wow, What a show this must have been. Goulishly delightful, maybe someday I'll be able to go. Congrats on your success!!!

William Bezek said...

Laurie, it was great meeting you and your work was exceptional! So many pieces and all one of a kind. And how delightful at the end of the show your table was empty!

Christopher A. Klingler said...

Glad your 1st H&V show was a BIG success and all your display goodies looked VONDERFUL dahling!!!

SpOOky CK (-:

Unknown said...

Oh Wow! Thank you so much for your great discription of the show! It sounds like an absolute must see, as well as Goultide Gathering. :-)

CCs Whimsies said...

I have had the honor of showing and meeting mang of these wonderful artists, and I know the feelings of which you speak. Laurie, you are just too darn cute and a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS goes out to you and your wonderful talents! May all your dreams meet your wings and help you soar to new heights. Much love, Christy

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

How Fun and incredibly AWESOME Laurie! I'm going next year!!!
Hugs,
Candy

Melissa Valeriote said...

I'm sorry to say that your photos just don't do your table justice. OMG Laurie! So fun to meet you in person and see your brilliant work first hand. I'm lovin my little pumpkin head bucket that my sister bought me for my birthday...woohoo. Can't wait for next year.

Monkey-Cats Studio said...

Thank you Sheila...what a trek, but so worth it!!

Oh Pea, I wish you could have been there. Petaluma is a gorgeous and very welcoming community.

Pattee I'm so sorry we missed you...you would have loved all of the artists' work.

Traci I can pretty much sell anything I make because I don't get too attached.

OFH I'm so glad you liked the goodies!!! *giggle*

Thank you Lynn!!

William it was such a pleasure to meet you and to see your beautiful pieces...I remember your table being pretty empty as well!!

Chris thank you so much! You know you are one of my favorite artists and coming from you that means so much!!

Thank you for the compliment Deborah!!

Oh Ms Crusty I could hug you to pieces!!! I'll never forget your phone call of a year ago. Thank you for all of your encouragement!

Candy if I get invited back I would love to meet you at the next Halloween and Vine!! Such fun!

Melissa thank you for saying that!! The lighting was so tough in the hall I've noticed that the colors are muted in all of our photographs. So GREAT to meet you and Leah, Scott, Jorge, Johanna, Lori, Nicole, Susie, Vergie, Kerry, Ginny, Janna, Kimberlee, William, Arbutus, Christy, Katherine, Allen and the wonderful collectors!!! It was just a day filled with dreams for me!!

Laurie

Regina Moore said...

Everything looks scrumptious! Just a gorgeous display! Sounds like a wonderful event!

The Smiling Goat said...

Oh Laurie! So glad you had a wonderful time! Your table looks absolutely amazing!I'm sure you didn't have to pack up anything to bring home! I hope to get to ghoultide next year...maybe you could do that show instead!LOL!

Kim

Chicken Lips said...

I'm so happy for you Laurie! I knew your work would be well received! Your table looks absolutely amazing!!!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations Laurie, Scott said some very lovely things about your showing. I was thrilled to hear how well you did, but already assumed there would be a feeding frenzy... think if I'd been able to see the show I might have had to elbow my way in.

YAY for you!!!


Lori

Unknown said...

Congrats Laurie...your pictures look great! I so wished I could of gone. You must have been on cloud 9 the entire day...and I read your table was empty....so GREAT!! Congrats to you, your talents are so devine you deserve all the blessings. I am so glad I am lucky enough to have a piece. Smiles, Jackie

vintagepaletteart said...

Laurie....there would only be one thing better than getting to attend the GG show this Saturday and that would be getting to go to H&V and meeting you! I knew you would do SO well!!! I've been in love with your work since I first laid eyes on it. You have something very special in your art.

And stop with the comments about your weight.....you look adorable! {{{{HUGS!}}}} *Lori

Johanna Parker said...

FUN photos Laurie!.... It was just a pleasure to finally meet you and see and touch your incredible work in person!.. You have an amazing talent, and I am sure you delighted many new collectors with your table of Halloween treasures! Hopefully, we can all gather again next year :)

Happy Halloween!
~ Johanna
( PS... just noticed that I had your photo / name link on my H&V blog post sending folks to the wrong site - just fixed it too! )

Anonymous said...

Laurie, you & your table looked so pretty. You art was just shining! The show sounds fantastic! Wish I didn't live so far. Glad it was a huge success for you.

Shes Off Her Rocker said...

Laurie your table was to die for! Reminds me of when I got to open your box o goodies at set up for the Halloween Convention...I ooohed and ahhhed over the few you sent...they are just amazing in person....So glad it was a great success...
Brandi