Joshua Tree National Park Art Show & Faire

It was a busy weekend here in the desert. A brand new event in Twentynine Palms called the JTNP Art Show & Faire took place. It began with a juried show, located in the Twentynine Palms Art Gallery. The opening reception for that show was Friday night. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, there were events all day, including an outdoor art festival, music, and lectures. I set up a booth with my art as part of the outdoor art festival thanks to the help of my husband. (thanks, M!)

Here's a rundown of how it all went:
I set up my booth in the driveway on Friday to get everything looking just so. In the process, the wind blew my booth onto my car and one painting was punctured by the booth wall. A few four letter words may have accidentally slipped out, along with some tears. I had to take the walls down and start all over again in the garage. I did finally manage to get it set up, with the help of my husband (I am lost without him!) I took photos so I would know where I wanted each painting to be hung for the show. I had painted about ten new paintings specifically for this show.

Friday night at the opening reception, winners of cash prizes were announced. Amazingly, I won an award for my big coyote painting!!!! I was not expecting anything like that. It is quite a feeling to be standing among other artists I admire and hear MY NAME called. I think I may still be in shock. (but it's a happy shock)

The award winning coyote painting. "Confrontation." Oil on canvas, 35 x 40 inches. ©Karine Swenson2013

Saturday morning, we got up bright and early, drove two loaded vehicles out to the 29 Palms Inn, and spent about two hours setting up my booth. It was very windy in Joshua Tree when we left the house, but 29 Palms was calm, cold and lovely. Only two hours after setting up, the wind kicked in, and we had to tear the whole thing down. This was done while wind threatened to take the entire thing away, and we were graciously rescued by a group of friends who seemed to appear magically. (thanks, friends - you were like angels from heaven!)

A photo of my booth taken with my phone - sorry about the quality. 

Sunday morning dawned cold and calm, so we once again drove two loaded vehicles out to 29 Palms and set up the booth. It turned out to be a nice sunny day, but cold. The crowd was good, and we did make some nice sales. I managed to stay warm by wearing 5 layers of clothes. At 3 pm, we tore the booth down, loaded up the cars and drove home.

All in all, a great weekend filled with triumphs and challenges both. I am still a bit giddy about the award - it came with a significant cash prize. I have to say that it is rare for me to do well in a juried show. I rarely get accepted, never mind an award, so I was taken completely by surprise. When I think about the other art in the show, I must say I was up against some major talent!!! Astonishing.

The show catalog opened to the page with my winning painting, along with the certificate and tile presented to me.

I am grateful to everyone who braved the cold and came to the event out in 29 Palms over the weekend. I also want to thank the people who put the event together, especially the jurors and the judge (Rhonda Coleman) for the difficult task of choosing. I have been in your shoes before, and it can be difficult!

It was a great event, and I hope to be a part of it next year. If you are in the desert and find yourself with a little bit of time, I highly recommend driving to the 29 Palms Art Gallery to see the show. You will not regret it! Gallery Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 3 pm. The show will continue until December 29th. You can read more about it here (and see a photo with the overall winning painting and the prize winners.)

In other blog related news, I just want to thank all of you who wrote to me about my blog. Sometimes, all a person needs is a bit of encouragement, and I certainly got it from you. I am pretty sure that I will continue my blog, at least for another year.