Dream Big
Original Mixed Media by Harmony Lenasbunt 2012
Well, I just returned from the show in Chattanooga. I am always amazed at the resiliency of my kiddos. They took the 8 hour trip like champs and handled the busy show schedule with ease. My now 5 month old spent the early mornings strapped to my front while I hung paintings and organized prints at the show tent, while my 4 year old busied himself with a "scene" of wooden birds he had stolen from my display and hid under one of the tables playing happily for hours. The show was fun, with lots of great stories heard from various people visiting my booth, and new friends made from the amazing array of talented creatives that were vending beside me. It was a terrible selling show, as we barely made back the cost of our space fee and our hotel bill, but I always love visiting Chattanooga, which made up for that fact. My husband and I always call it the "city of wonders" because they always have some totally interesting or off the wall thing to explore around almost every corner in the downtown area, and we have had several family vacations there in the past. This visit did not disappoint us in the slightest. The weather, which had been promised to be awful (thunderstorms and constant rain), ended up being a mix of clouds, sun, and perfectly cool, a welcome respite for this heat wearied Floridian. I was so blessed to also have the willing hands and companionship of my sister, her husband, my brother and his wife along for the weekend, so there was lots of help and plenty of time away from the booth to play with my boys and visit other venders and enjoy the art festival itself. I actually really hate the selling part of shows, love setting up and seeing it all together and beautifully arranged, but when it comes down to watching people pick over what you created, it just feels odd and I want to be as far from the booth as possible during that part of the show. I do love the stories though. How a certain image or phrase sparked some memory for them or inspires a dream. I love to encourage each person to keep reaching for that place of peace and happiness that they hope for, keep being creative, keep finding joy in little simple bits of life and letting it seep into their souls. I hope my art can do that for a few people, and I send out my own gratitude to each person that took the time to look at my work and took a piece of it home with them. You are inspiring my own dream, and so I thank you all.
XO, HARMONY
Oh I love this bird. It reminds me of my daughter.
ReplyDeleteThank you! You just inspired me. :) We just bought a small farm house near Little River Falls. Coincidentally, it's just South of Chattanooga, so this post, touched home even stronger than the posts and images I viewed prior. Our plan, in moving out to the country, is to simply, to strengthen connections to Nature, and for me, to rekindle my Creativity. Too many years working a corporate job, then a bout with breast cancer, and my dabbles with Art were pushed aside. We've downsized so that I can stay home to fully focus on health, continued healing, and family. For me, Art & nuturing a creative flow is a huge part of healing, and a neccessity for a full, grateful heart. It allows me to be fully present for the ones I love, and myself. But, lately, being just a bit bogged down with the moving process and my fiance's obsession with getting the computer networks & sound system just right, I'd temporarily lost sight of why we came here. Thank you for reminding me, and re-inspiring me. :) I would love to know the name of the Art festival you refer to in this post. We're so happy to be closer to Chattanooga for the same reasons you mentioned. Who knows? Maybe, we'll see you there. I do love your whimsical style of inspirational Art. I mostly work in clay, but we have a similar style. I'd love to visit your space if you return to Chatty :) Best, Tiffany
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