The actual shows in Florida can be a bit of an inconvenience in the middle of great winter camping. However, this year the camping part lined up with a historic cold snap! The Dahlquist's super-jumbo tent earned its keep in a torrential rainstorm when Kyle serenaded us with his (then) novice accordion practice! It paid off! You can now see him performing as Overton Wooldridge in Alacartoona.

It always cracks me up when people actually take those "I'm thinking" postures! I've got great and creative neighbors in the studio now. And we had a great time showing together.

I realized that I have adapted to the vagabond life when I referred to Beverly Hills as a "local" show. Hey- if I can drive and set up on the same day, and I'm still on PST, it sure feels local.

If you're going to have a burger. Have a BURGER. Gabe Lanza introduced me to Skylark's in Pilsen, that serves burgers with onion rings ON them, and a generous side of crispy salty tater tots. I figure I can do that once a year.

It's always a special treat to show here, and this year was particularly sweet! Partly because I hadn't been there for a while, and partly because I had a fabulous helper, so I wasn't chained to my booth, and could enjoy the other outstanding artists at the show. I'll be back in 09!

I was excited to have my work chosen (again) by a student jury to be part of Janus' art collection. Kids are given a budget to go through the show and pick work to purchase for their schools. It's a great experience, and a great idea. Even if I had to give them a math lesson! I have a piece permanently in the Mobile Art Collection, which every state should have!

OK, the heat was back, but who could expect two comfortable years in a row? The highlights of this show were definitely the events around it. (And the customers, of course. I am always floored by their dedication!) A truly memorable after-party in the wilds of Michigan helped unwind from four days of roasting in the tent. Oh, and getting "Tape of Love" stuck in my head.

I usually refuse commissions, but I knew it would be fun to work with the Sun Valley Wine Auction. I created the images for their promotional suite and the auction program. Dinner at the Kerry's anyone?

The pieces turned out beautifully, and I'm still having fun disposing of the props...

This is what it looks like when you buy wine based on the color of the foil.

My first trip to Minnesota was the start of my media-dense August. I did a live interview at 7:30 am for a morning TV show, and I still have no idea what I said. I had no idea how many people watch those!

I know the picture is from WI, but I had parked in Chicago. I know. I can't make things easy.

Some mornings on the road are harsh.

My next 15 minutes of fame were in Telluride, where I was the poster child, and did another early morning TV interview that I've never seen. An elegant show in a spectacular location. Gondolas are the main form of transportation. I saw bear cubs romp. (I didn't see the bear that ransacked the gourmet tent....) I watched a fabulous Taj Majal concert from my condo. Made great friends, and drank Elderflower Martinis! Shows are always hard work. But sometimes it doesn't feel as hard as other times.

Plaza- such a great way to wrap up the traveling season! Great art. Great location. Great patrons. Great friends. It's almost enough to make me forget rainstorms, 600 pounds of cargo, and late night set ups, and get me ready to apply to shows again for the next year.

But just so that it couldn't be really easy, United stopped shipping cargo to KC, and I only found that out when I went to deliver my shipment. Whooops! Remarkably- 20 minutes later I had a solution. I shipped to Albuquerque, and my pal Damian Velasquez brought it to Plaza with him. Thank goodness for friends, phones, favors and Sprinters!

Here's an up and coming art dealer doing some hardcore negotiating. Try to refuse him. Just try.

As a book lover, imagine my delight when a Booker Prize nominee tracked me down to ask if I would create a cover for a special edition of his latest book. Now that I've sent my OWN book to press, I'm hoping to have time to read this one!

A couple of fun local events to wrap the year up, with plenty of local spice! I showed at the Mission Bazaar, and at the Sea Of Dreams NYE party. I'm getting a new collecton of dress-up clothes!