Happy New Year!

I thought I'd send out a quick New Years Wish for everyone. I've enjoyed my break and I am ready to get back to work. I've got alot of goals for 2006. Looking back on 2005, it's been a great year. Many goals were achieved, and some I still need to work on this year. My art career is beginning to really develop and I need to work and focus my attention on expanding my business. You'll be hearing more from me in the near future.
My wish for you is that this year is the best you've yet to live, your heart is happy and your home blessed!
Now, I am off to ring in the New Year with my beautiful bald boyfriend and my two gorgeous daughters!!!

Art Show in Philadelphia thoughts and memories

We were at our spot around 20 til 6 and as soon as the doors opened we were busy until after 12 am. It was so much fun and everyone was so nice and welcoming. I enjoyed meeting Al and Loralee West. Mr. West is president of SEI, and is so down to earth and enjoyable. You can learn more about SEI here

I took 8 original paintings, a fine art giclee on canvas and had several prints available. Within just a few hours all the originals were sold and the prints were moving as well. Over all it was a fantastic experience and a great success. I do believe the ability to help with hurricane relief from this event will have an impact and be such a help to those in the affected regions.

Mr. West made a presentation and presented Chef Leon West, a representative from Whitney Bank and I. I had been told I could ease by without having to say anything but that didn't happen!! I managed to mumble something without fainting in front of 1600 people. Fortunately for me the lights were so bright I couldn't really see anyone out there!

Here are a few more photos of the event, then enough is enough already! We'll move on to the Christmas holidays, fudge making and Santa Claus!


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themodernartist

It's Showtime Baby!

I woke up early Saturday with a very nervous stomach, and Joel slept in so I tried to be quiet and let him sleep. We had so much to get done, and setup ended up being a bit more than we expected. Fortunately Denise recommended Maggiano's restaurant and we took her advice. The food was fantastic.
Here are a few photos of the setting up of our booth area.
It was surreal to see the way the whole event was designed around my artwork and was a really exciting feeling to know that so much could transpire out of a painting.
The theme for the event was Celebrate and Rejuvenate, and everything had a New Orleans flair to it. The music was provided by the Jazz Vipers and Kool and the Gang.
Unfortunately I didn't get much of a break to enjoy the music because my table was full the whole duration of the event. No complaints about that here!! We had to rush back to the room around 4 to get all dressed up for the event. Ironing was a challenge but we made it!!!

Friday Night Contemplations

Upon returning to our hotel I realized just how wonderful it is to be an American and to have the freedoms we so often take for granted. Our country is a wonderful place and we must preserve the freedom our forefathers gave their lives for.

We went down to the lobby and worked for several hours on show details that had been undone before we left. The Christmas atmosphere made for a nice environment. I found the beautiful little village scene especially mesmerizing and had a hard time being distracted by the little skier!

Joel tried very hard to keep me busy so I wouldn't be thinking of all that was transpiring back home. Emotionally I was a wreck as I knew my grandmother's funeral was today and my mom and girls all needed me. It was extremely difficult to have to be gone during such a difficult time. I was so glad I had spent time with my grandmother and that she had voiced her love for me many times over the last 10 days.
Ila Mae Thompson was an incredible woman and she will be missed dearly. I hope I never have to be in a situation like this one again, as it was a bittersweet trip. I know Grandma would have wanted me to make my trip, and to fulfill my contract with SEI. I pray I made her proud and felt like she was looking down from heaven with a smile as I presented my art.

We ended up staying up late drinking Starbucks and working in the FEDex center until around 1 am so we could be a bit more relaxed Saturday as we had to set up.

Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

After seeing the convention center we decided to be tourists and head over to the Liberty Bell. Fortunately for us it was a 6 minute walk from the Marriott. The 6 minute walk took us about 36 minutes to complete. I am still trying to understand that one, I am not sure if we walk slow in Louisiana or if the cold slowed us down. It was worth the trip to see this historical piece of Americana though. Here are a few photos of I took as we spent the evening in the historical zone of Philly. My love for photography took over at some point and I forgot the cold and enjoyed myself!

Highlights from my Philly Trip!

That's City Hall in Philadelphia. The building was highlighted with a digital lighting for Christmas! See it here! I loved sneaking a mesmerizing glance each time we past the building or went up to our 19th floor room where I could get a wonderful view. The colors were so hypnotic!

We also met with Denise, Karyn and Debbie from SEI Corporate Events planning team after lunch on Friday to view the convention center room and the decorations. The team did such a great job pulling together the event, and the use of my art in decorations, banners, print material and on the big screens made me grin ear to ear everytime I saw something new. Here are a few of the preliminary photos of the the ballroom area. The event team made us feel so welcome that after a few minutes we all felt like old friends. Denise handled each detail with such ease and professionalism.

Back from Art Trip to Philadelphia! Philly Cheese steaks

I had the best time in Philadelphia for my trip to the SEI Holiday Christmas Event.
We arrived in Philly on Thursday and returned home Sunday morning. I thought it would be cool to do a day by day chronological photo blogging attempt so you can capture the essence of our trip. We left the Monroe airport around 6 am Thursday, and made it into Philly around 12 pm so it was a nice little flight. We stayed at the Marriott adjacent to the Philadelphia Convention Center. Our first outting we went across the street to Reading Market where you can find any and everything to eat. Here's what we chose! Ricks Philly Steaks!!! As you can see, my very handsome manager was quite happy to experience the original Philly Cheese steak. It was great!

The temp was around 14 degrees when we landed, and snow was still on the ground. Over the next day or so it warmed up! (yeah!!!!) So it wasn't too bad. We did a bit of shopping at the Gallery as I had a shoe misfortune and needed to find something comfy because I never expected to be walking so much!!!
We walked forever it seemed in the Gallery, which is nothing at all like what we have here locally. My daughters would have loved the place. The manager however did NOT, since we seemed to spend more time there than expected. The first 24 hours I basically rested because I was so tired from all that had transpired before we left, with my grandmothers illness and passing, and preparations with prints etc. The last minute details were brutal, and I went to bed around 2 am then got up at 4 am to catch the flight. A nap was the highlight of Thursday!

Update--Art show details and Christmas plans

It's been a mad dash to the finish line with preparations for my upcoming art show in Philadelphia. Prints are finalized, paintings shipped, visa machine in and so many more little details that had to be completed before we left. I will be up late tonight working on one last order to be filled before we leave Thursday.

I think my body is trying to tell me something, I ended up back at the Dr. Friday. Hopefully I'll get some rest soon. The New Year will bring some well needed changes in respect to our lifestyle.

My beautiful Grandmother has been in the hospital for the last week or so. She is so wonderful, we've been trying to spend as much time with her as possible. You can't take life for granted. It is a gift to be treasured. Don't wait until it's to late to share your love with those around you.

I've got to get ready to head into the mall to help my hubby find a suit for our event. Isnt' he the cutest? Joel has been so supportive of my art career, I couldn't have ever gotten this far without his love and support.

Sorry for the long lapses in posting but time has been of the essence so I've had to make a push to get focused and complete the tasks at hand.