Motivation

There's nothing like the stress of a deadline to kick an artist's creative ass into gear. I know very few artistic individuals that do not have at least a healthy dose of procrastination to their personality. In fact I'm sitting here trying to count exactly how many I can think of....let me get back to you on that.

A week from tomorrow I'll leave for the largest art festival of the year. It's located about 15 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina in the small town of Summerville. Now in it's 35th year, the festival is still produced and promoted by the local YMCA chapter. Originally the idea was to gather the local crafters and businesses together to raise money for construction of some tennis courts and if they had a little money left over then they could perhaps buy a few more basketball nets or at least something like that.

It's called Flowertown Festival named for the area of the town in which it is located. Think of Central Park in New York but slightly smaller (as in bigger than a bread box). If Azalea Park measures five acres I'd be surprised. Of course there are plenty of food vendors that line the adjacent side streets and plenty of entertainment near those very nice tennis courts right in the middle of the park.

So why do I describe in so much detail the elements and setting of this little community gathering? Depending on weather (which is usually quite nice) estimates of attendance this year range between 225,000 and 250,000 for this annual show. Three days. Approximately 5 acres. A quarter of a million potential buyers.

It is not unheard of for some vendors to sell out the first day. Last year for instance my friend Madelaine who grows beautiful orchids (from seed) sold out of plants (300+) the first day. Her husband brought 40 more plants to her for Saturday. By early afternoon she had sold all but three so she spent the rest of the festival catching up on her reading.

I counted a little earlier today. There are exactly one dozen unfinished paintings waiting for me in the studio and a goal of about 4 - 6 more smaller pieces I'd like to take with me next week. So why and I sitting here blogging? Motivation! In fact I feel a little "movement" coming on right now. So if you'll excuse me I'm going to catch up on a little reading of my own. And by the way, I'm still trying to count those non-procrastinating artists.