I'm done blogging for a while.

I'm done using Twitter and trying to blog. I need to focus all my time on painting, doing shows and my web site. Thanks for the interest and I apologize if I've disappointed anyone.

File Maker Pro The Missing Manual

I broke down and bought this book...and glad I did. I spent most of yesterday reading through 164 pages of 809 and it's already helped.

The New Tent Arrived

My new Light Dome tent arrived yesterday. My husband helped me set it up in the driveway last night just in time for a quick but ferocious rain storm. Luckily, we did not have any of the fabric attached beofre the storm. Afterwards, we finished putting it all together.

I have to admit that I was disheartened by it all. It's a lot more work than the EzUp was, but I expected that. In addition, my custom display panels will not work with their set up. They (the manufacturer) have the side panels attach to the tent frame with straps and snaps. My display panels attach to the frame with zippers. I've decided to remedy this by asking my friend who made the panels to attach another zipper to the top of each panel so that I can zip the tent sides to my panels. That should work but I'm spending more money, again.

A real problem that the manufacturer has created for me (and I suppose other Light Dome users) is that if you have the front & rear awnings up, you have to remove their support poles (thereby lowering the awnings) before you can lower the sides or front & back. This is a bad design idea on their part. I used to frequently lower my tent sides during show hours because of rain, wind and sun conditions. Again, this can be remedied by spending more money. My friend will make holes in the front & back tent sides where the awning support poles attach to the frame.

Living and learning the hard way...again.

I'll post photos next time I get it set up.

Sold two paintings over the weekend

Miller Air Park. I painted this a few miles from my home in Mooresville, NC. I met someone over the weekend who told me who's plane it was and that it was a Piper Cub. Nice to have it recognized!




Venice Beach Access was painted in Venice Beach, FL last March.

Bought a Light Dome Today

Finally ordered a new tent/canopy from Light Dome. Canopy, frame, sides, front panel upgrade, upper & lower stabilizer bars, front & rear awnings $1130 plus shipping. Ouch! Should have it next week; I'll set it up and share photos. I'm anxious to see if my custom display panels will fit with the new frame or if I need to have it altered.

Filemaker anyone...?

I'm in need of a custom data base, tailored for me and my art. I've looked at different ready-made software for artists and there's something I don't like or need in all of them. I would like to have all of my contacts, my art inventory, my customer notes, art festival inventory and art show inventory lists in one place. Currently, I use Excel for my inventory lists and Outlook for my mailing lists.

I heard that Filemaker is the answer but it takes a while to get the hang of it. Well, I just downloaded a 30 day trial version and off I go...

If anyone has any comments, please share your experiences with me.

Accepted to 2 fall shows

I've been accepted into 2 shows that I haven't done before. The 24th Annual ArtFest of Matthews September 26 & 27th in Matthews, NC and the 40th Annual Golden Isles Juried Fine Arts Festival October 10 & 11th in St. Simons Island GA.

I have not purchased that new tent yet, probably the first week of September.

I'm on Twitter now...http://twitter.com/CheriSimmonsArt