EDITOR'S NOTE: I originally wrote this in early Dec. after the show. Went to publish it and lost it in the internet ether (yes, I know, hit the save button--I did not this time). So I had spent almost two hours composing and editing, and then I lost it. Naturally, I was pissed. So here it is as best I can recollect. A little "bon mot" to end 2012 with. Hope you read and enjoy.
Doing the Englewood, FL show in early December is like going to your Grandmother's house for a special meal. You know there is going to be that mouth-watering meatloaf ringed with baked potatoes, browned onions and carrots, and that "killer" gravy that you can sop up with those tender biscuits.
Englewood sits nested below Sarasota/Venice and between Boca grande Island. The gulf beckons. Take a short bridge out there and you are in a whole other world.
It is still Old Florida." Believe me there are not many of those places left anymore. You see vestiges of it in Cedar Key, New Smyrna, Vilano Beach and Fernandina.
It is home to several artists on the circuit like Jim Sears, Al Dela Vega, Ben Essenberg and Carol Swayze.
Carol first invited me down to the spring show eons ago. I fell in love with it right away. Yeah, I did not make a lot of money, but it was easy to do, and most importantly, you were among friends and having a good time doing it. Isn't that one of the main reasons why we return to certain shows over and over again-- even if we don't make a lot of moola?
Over time, I came to stay with Ben Essenberg. He has a big house, a big family, and a big heart. Oh, did I forget to mention he still has a lot of room to put up a lot of artists and their vans. Plus, there is always a good feed going on. BTW. Generously, Carol Swayze puts up a lot of good artists, and their vans and motor homes. She also puts on a hell of a good feed with a lot of serious hooting and hollering around a campfire. Two great venues for us wandering "gypsies" to pull our wagons up to. And the golden waters of the Gulf just beckon over a short bridge, with, no tolls.
Englewood is like what most art shows were like when I first got started in the late seventies.
Mellow setup, usually the day before. You could park behind your booth--the whole show. You could take your time setting up--no show- Nazi committees here. You could smoke a number in your van. You could enjoy a little tequila or other. You are always surrounded by known artists. And occasionally, you could make serious money, especially if the Boca Grande "Good Shoes" people showed up. Of course, a good mailing list never hurts having.
The December show show s always slimmer pickings then the spring show. More buyers in town in March.
It is a small show with maybe 100 artists. Many are regulars on the circuit and do it for the same reason I do. Usually, there is plenty of room on your sides and behind. Also, the show ends at 4 pm and you can be out of there in no time, and have a meal at home, or maybe some sushi. Whatever.
The best times of this show come on the Friday and Saturday nights of the show, after we are done selling.
This year I crashed at Ben's, along with Carol and Michael Webber, Bill, and Steve Khourie.
Naturally, we sat around a big table, with a big meals, with lots of wine and beer flowing. And we told stories. About people, long gone, who we still remembered.
To me, that is important. I like remembering, and I like being remembered. You can't take it to the bank for anything, but you can sleep the "sleep of angels" hoping you will be remembered in some kind way.
I got around to telling the story of Rene Marchettie. He was a talented painter, along with his wife Sandy, who was on the circuit for eons, nationwide. These people sold work for serious moola.
We always did the old Piedmont Show in Atlanta. Back when it was a nine-day show, first in May, and then finally in September. At show closing we always jockeyed for position "A", being the first van into the show at end. He always out-foxed me and was first. He would give me that big grin and twirl his mustache, and yell,"Nels, maybe next year--but not now."
Rene died the perfect way most artists pray for, if you gotta go. He fell over dead, peacefully, in his directors chair at the show, with a smile on his face, and a customer wanting to give him a five-thousand dollar check.
We all got a good chuckle about that. You know how I like to tell stories of old.
Then, I started ribbing Steve Khouri. He is a talented wildlife painter, who is very handsome and very successful.
Steve had the newest IPhone with that delicious voice of Siri.
So I just plum up and asked him, "See what Siri has to say if you ask her 'Does Siri do BJs'. Steve's face turned four shades of red and pinks, like his sunsets. He said," i am not going to ask Siri that."
I said, "Come on, what have you got to lose, and besides, enquiring minds want to know."
So he asked her. She replied,"Sir, I am not familiar with BJs but I will be glad to research it on the internet for you."
I asked Steve about five more sex-related questions for Siri. Finally, he relented after five and retired with Siri for some serious pillow talk. Whatever that was about.
Next day, I took Ben to breakfast at our favorite morning restaurant, bought a New York Times at Publix, and heled on down to the show (That's Hawaiian for for taking a short trip).
Sunday was beautiful, we all made a little money and I headed home with sweet thoughts. It was a good way to end a most difficult year in the business.
It is only a little over one hour to my home in Ybor City from Englewood.
I left at a most opportune time. Winter Soltice was just around the bend. Light shadows were longer, and more colorful, upon the land. I saw tops of palm trees painted in bright pinks. Rivers, like the Alafia, painted in pastel lavenders with crimson high notes.
I was heading home to sushi with my favorite blonde. I was thankful for good health again. Wealth is coming in 2013. I feel it in my bones--and my brand new work.
I thanked God there were still shows like Englewood that could nourish my inner spirit. I silently thanked Carol Swayze for inviting me on down, those long, years ago.
In my heart and soul I still have many miles to travel, many pieces of great art to create, and most of all, many great friends to spend my time with.
I am truly blessed.
Happy New Year everyone. Nels.
Greetings from the 21st Annual Marion Arts Festival, in Marion, Iowa (adjacent to Cedar Rapids, in Eastern Iowa). Consistently ranked among the top tier of juried art events nationwide, the MAF presents 50 artists, offering both fine art and fine craft to an audience of 16,000. There are no bands, there is no beer-the MAF is about the art.
For more info and artist's prospectus: 
award winners
