Day 17 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition - Extended Day

Leftover Piccolo Spoletians

or are they just

Park People Looking for a New Home?

Maybe half the show stayed - about 40 tents were open today - after all, it was Second Sunday on King Street - always a real treat!  For several blocks, King Street is closed to traffic on the second Sunday of each month and it's such fun - restaurants put tables out, store doors are open wide - families, children, pets come out and enjoy!  

Several of us went down King Street to check out one of the signs for our show - there seemed to be good traffic and several sales in Marion Square today. Thank you to "Bridge Run Julian" (Smith) who is the director of the Annual Cooper River Bridge Run (among many other things, I'm sure) and who also helped PSOAE with e-blasts and signage for today!

"Bridge Run Julian" Smith

Finally, everyone packed up at Marion Square and went home for another year..

Day 16 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Well, today was the last "official" day of the 2016 Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition - the Piccolo Spoleto Finale was held at Hampton Park tonight!  However, many of us will be exhibiting tomorrow and will slowly take down, pack up and say our goodbyes until the 2017 show.  

You have not missed your chance!  Come to Marion Square between 10 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. and we all be glad to help you choose an artwork to buy!

Today was exciting - the Annual Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition Red Solo Cup Race (think Belmont Stakes - it's close) began the last hour of the show - at 5:00 p.m. Line-up below:

The crowds began to mass and then went wild as the racers were announced - we had such esteemed names as "Two Shades Jackson" (Daryl Knox - he ran holding an umbrella) - we are unsure if Two Shades came in 2nd or 3rd (you must understand - there is so much excitement - lots of laughter - lots of tears, but mostly mass confusion that it's difficult to be clear about some of this race). The general consensus is 2nd - that Two Shades beat out Bat-Kid Bob (Bob Graham) who was highly handicapped because he was running and pulling Hoof-Hearted (Scott Penegar) in some kind of wagon.  First Place went to the late comer "Fit for a Lady" (Sabine Avcalade). Per the official race rules, last year's winner, Steven Hyatt, had to be handicapped, so he ran with just-turned-five Judah Radin on his back - both Steven and Judah ran with purple masks, but most people figured out who they were.  One of the real stars was Neriah Radin who stunned her parents and everyone else by "running like the wind" and I believe may have led the race but could not be an "official" runner because she is not a PSOAE Artist (her father, Alex Radin is in the show), but THE PRESS caught her in an unguarded moment, resting her feet and adorned with ribbons below:

Her father, Alex, would have been eligible to run the race but he was too busy being the bookie and settling bets of funny money:

Your artist blogger, a/k/a THE PRESS, had no pictures of the race because she was busy videotaping it.  Unfortunately, she did not realize her iPhone was out of video memory.  Such are the very real unexpected pitfalls of an on-the-scene Ace reporter. Better luck next year.

To close out the official last day of the show, I'm posting Artist Sheryl Stalnaker's stunning portrait of my cat, Princess Mittens (a/k/a The Diva, P. Mittens, Mitts, the Mittster, etc.).  Sheryl and I traded original art about 5 years ago but I never chose my piece from her until last year when I gave her a picture of P. Mittens and said I wanted her to paint P. Mittens' portrait.  Sheryl paints in oil with palette knife and is well-known for her pet portraits. 

P. Mittens Whaley

"Diva"

P. Mittens and I are so pleased - thanks, Sheryl!

Photo of Artist Sheryl Stalnaker with P. Mittens' Portrait

Day 15 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Tomorrow is the last official day of the 2016 Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition.  Farmers Market is out in full force.  LOTS to see and do Saturday, 6/11, in Marion Square - Come and join us!

So today was hot and the games began early.

Bocce Ball

So in my spare time at Marion Square today,  I learned to Tweet:

"Ambiance I"

Oil and Cold Wax

"Come visit me in Marion Square Booth 74 great day to paint outside" + a few hashtags for Charleston, Contemporary Art, Piccolo Spoleto, etc.

I was really excited - after all, I've had the twitter account for a year but couldn't figure out how to use it.  I only had 5 followers, some of which were family.  Now I have 8...Then I figured I could use some practice, so I tweeted a picture of Daryl Knox in Marion Square painting plein air oils and added some hashtags. That went over well. I started getting all these emails and notifications that people "liked" my tweet about DARYL! This just doesn't strike me as right, so it's back to the "tweetie board" tomorrow...

We all rounded out Friday afternoon in Marion Square with hot dogs - the Great American Picnic Favorite - thanks to Artist James Pratt and his wife!

Hot dogs - all gone...

Day 14 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Honorable Mention

Congratulations to Susan Colwell for

"Blue Serenity II"!

That's all the awards for the 2016 show - 2 more official days to go (except there will be lots of artists staying over and showing Sunday - it's Second Sunday on King Street and there will be arrows showing the detour into Marion Square).  

Artist Daryl Knox, who can do anything, rigged up my table which lost a screw yesterday. Since he didn't have any of those Allen wrench things, his creativity ran rampant - notice the easel stabilizing and holding the table up. Plus he has a giant toolbox he brings every day to the park.  It has absolutely everything in it. Except what we needed...

Artist & Helpful Man 

Thank you, Daryl Knox!

By the second week of this show, we begin to see strange occurrences...the Piccolo Ping Pong Championship has begun:

Artists Bob Graham and Scott Penegar

Artist Alex Radin with baby playing Scott Penegar 

Artist Joyce Harvey's tent is color-coordinated in aqua and white to enhance her marine paintings.  She also coordinates her outdoor art show wardrobe and frequently wears aqua and white.  Yesterday, everyone in our section of the POD got together and played a joke on her.  Noted PSOAE photographer, Terrie Johnson, was privately alerted and part of the GREAT JOYCE HARVEY SURPRISE.  Joyce was called away from her tent just long enough for the group to change their shirts and hide in her tent.  Terrie Johnson was the first on the scene to catch the group as Joyce returned to her tent:

SURPRISE!!!

Artist Joyce Harvey, ever the Good Sport

Joins in for the Group Cheesecake Shot - yes, that's Joyce wearing the Aqua Hat...

We also have birthdays and Birthday Parties

Artists Alvin Glen and Monnie Johnson just turned 60 years OLD

and here they are "Cutting the Cake"

Artists are never too old to wear party hats and eat birthday cake.

Alvin and Mrs. Glen with Lesley and Monnie Johnson

The Birthday Boys with Artist Friends.

If you have cake, you have a lot of friends.

Day 13 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Honorable Mention

Congratulations to KC Collins for

"Roam"

Only 2 more days of FREE Art Lessons!  Demonstrations in Marion Square twice a day, 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. tomorrow and Friday! And, you can ask all the questions you want...FREE.

Artist Laurie Meyer demonstrating in oil this past weekend.

Artist Colleen Wiessmann was scheduled for a demo last week

in Mixed Media.  She picked up a new student for private art lessons!

Yesterday was a special day in our section of the POD.  Not only did we have Joyce Harvey and husband give us Thanksgiving Dinner in June (see yesterday's post), late yesterday afternoon Scott and Kay Penegar (both artists, married to each other) gave us Cinco de Mayo in June.  What fun!  We even had a PINATA (filled with ART SUPPLIES, courtesy of our local art store, Artists and Craftsman)! Enjoy the following:

    

Kay Penegar (the Hostess), Marisa Vogl, Laurie Meyer and the food...Then we were given 

FREE mustaches. Why, I don't know, but it doesn't matter because they were FREE. Artist Bob Graham and Jennifer Drinkwater model them below:

Marisa Vogle, with mustache, is blindfolded by Dale Johannesmeyer, with mustache, and gets ready for the PINATA...

Artist Jennifer Koach, with mustache, hitting away....

Day 12 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Honorable Mention

Congratulations to Peggy Howe for

"Windmill Point"!

Tropical Storm Colin rolled through yesterday

So I came prepared for whatever "bog" was left over.

We did have tons of rain here (but much worse in Florida) but fortunately no tents or art were damaged and today is perfectly beautiful - we're supposed to have sunshine for the rest of the show!  And after yesterday's weather, the artists came roaring back.  A weekday rain day can be very therapeutic, but some artists are a still a bit punchy:

Cowboys and Indians Photobombed by the Guy in Green

Can you tell we're in the 12th day of a 16-day outdoor art show?

Artist Joyce Harvey brought lunch for our little section of the POD today.  Her husband even brought an electric knife to carve the HOME-COOKED TURKEY, complete with homemade dressing and various and sundry other culinary delights.  We were all kind of "wowed"!

Day 11 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Honorable Mention

Congratulations to Michel McNinch for

"The Water is Wide"!

Hope everyone else stayed dry - the show had a total rain day!  Some people made it but I did not venture out to Marion Square! Tomorrow should be a lot nicer and the show should be open - Come by!

Day 10 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Honorable Mention

Congratulations to Sharon Fowler for

"The Devil's in the Details"!

What a pleasant Sunday in the park - Lots of people like to stroll through after Sunday Church Services.  Mostly sunny turning overcast late afternoon with a lovely breeze - just the way we like it!

This was the last weekend that Charleston Style and Design Magazine was set up in Marion Square (under my EZ-up Tent) giving away free copies of the magazine.  Quentin Sinese, the magazine's publisher, borrows my EZ-up Tent each year to use and he was out of town today when Artist Daryl Knox (the unsung hero of the show - he helps everyone!) helped me take down the E-Z up (and it's not as easy as it sounds).

Quentin previously told me that in securing the tent, he had bent a few tent nails, but I was not prepared for this:

oh, well. I guess Quentin's gift is not securing tents.

Late Sunday Afternoon Storm Clouds Rolling In

We'll see what the weather brings tomorrow but all the artists are glad it didn't rain on Saturday and Sunday!

Day 9 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Merit Award

Congratulations to Tammy Papa for

"Sunflowers and Nectarines"!

Another extremely hot day but you always soldier on when it's a Saturday and not raining! Lots of fun and activity at the Art Show today - the Farmers Market was also in Marion Square - wonderful local, fresh vegetables and fruit, local vendors, fresh flowers - lots of people came out today - a Good Mood Saturday!

Talk about a Good Mood

Artist Madison Latimer and her Wall of Peacocks

Big Grins

Artist Danita Cole sharing Encaustic Secrets

Lots of Smiles

Artist James Pratt and Visitor

Come out and join us - we'll be looking for you over the next week!

Day 8 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Merit Award

Congratulations to John Michiels for

"Passage"!

Artists were enjoying shade and breeze wherever they could find it today! Late in the afternoon, we were treated to a little rain just to cool things off...

Hanging out under the Tree

I think we caught someone sleeping

Happy Birthday, Judah!

Birthday Boy with his new Red Football!

Judah Radin turned 5 yesterday! His father, Artist Alex Radin, is right down the path from me, so I get to see Judah each day he comes to visit his daddy and help sell art...Judah and I have had a serious conversation at least once a day for the 5 days leading up to his 5th birthday.  Remember how long it took for Christmas to come when you were a child?  Well, think back to 4 years old and those last few days before turning 5 have seemed like an eternity to Judah.  Well, he may not have enjoyed the "countdown" but I loved every minute of it, especially those daily conversations and philosophical musings on the joy of his upcoming birthday and the interminable waiting for the BIG DAY!

Happy Birthday, Laura Knotts!

Laura Knotts and husband Michael

Laura's birthday is today and coming to the Art Show was what she wanted to do!

Marketing Lessons

from Artist Elaine Berlin with

front and back of her free fans

I'm a fast learner - thanks, Elaine!

Uh, oh, another sleeper...

Day 7 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Merit Award

Congratulations to Mary Grayson Segars for

"Teenage Palmetto"!

Today the humidity hit a new high - but that didn't stop artists painting, making sales and enjoying the day! Except for one of our artists, Scott Henderson, photographer.  He was in some kind of accident on his bicycle.  Fortunately, he's doing well, but it wasn't pretty.

And, because life isn't always pretty, and art isn't always pretty,  this artist blogger will periodically highlight a hard truth referred to as:

The Ugly Side of Art

Scott Henderson, Photographer

after his recent bicycle accident, documenting

his immediate physical condition.

Which is not pretty.

Day 6 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Merit Award

Congratulations to Laurie Meyer for

"The Wild Bunch"

No rain today! 

A quiet, somewhat warm, lazy day.  Artists are painting (the absolute best way to pass the time).

  Come down and join the creative atmosphere!

Day 5 - Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Merit Award

Congratulations to Kevin LePrince for

"Two Hunters and a Dog"

(ed. note:  Kevin is noted for his evocative and symbolic painting titles.)

Yesterday, Tuesday, was a great weather day! (we needed one...and would like more). Sunny but a little hot unless you found a breeze.  Which we artists would rather have the heat than continual rain!

The JumboTron moved out and the art show returned to it's more normal state (there is a vast difference in the definition of "normal" when describing life at a 16-day outdoor art exhibition).

My neighbor, artist Carla Johannesmeyer, was attacked by a Great Fire Ant Brigade.  Not a big deal UNLESS you are highly allergic to fire ant bites, which she is:

Recuperating well - notice the smile!

The picture below was taken Memorial Day but is so cute I saved it for today - Artist K.C. Collins and her husband, Chris Markham, had their first(s) in December - twin girls which are our Piccolo Babies.  Here are the girls with their grandmothers on Memorial Day!

"Holiday Girls"