Reflections from Trip to Albuquerque, Nov. 21-27, 2017

   Each time that my husband, David, and I travel, I like to follow up with a blog post about the trip. Since we just returned from Albuquerque, it's time again for one of my little reports for your reading pleasure and as a way that I can document my continued journey as an artist.
   This time our travels took us on a 1600-mile-round trip to the Land of Enchantment for the Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Holiday Festival, held Friday-Sunday following Thanksgiving. It was our first time to participate in this particular show but our 3rd time to exhibit in Albuquerque.
   Before we made our way to the exhibit hall, we took the scenic route into New Mexico, leaving Tuesday around noon and stopping off at Ruidoso for the evening. We both love waking up among the pine trees and mountains! After our usual stop at Sacred Grounds for coffee, we stopped in for a visit with Judy at Long Coat Art Gallery and got to see their new location. We then made our way northward toward ABQ, enjoying the mountains, the vast valleys and wide open skies along the way.
   On Thursday we spent Thanksgiving Day in a most nontraditional way...setting up for the show! Exhibitors had the option of setting up on either Wednesday or Thursday (or both) and most had already come and gone by the time we arrived on Thanksgiving morning...making it much easier and less stressful than what we usually have to deal with. This was a first for both of us and we actually enjoyed the day very much. (I did get in my "turkey-with-the-trimmings" dinner that evening at a Village Inn right next to the hotel where we were staying for the trip.)
   We knew going into the show that it would be a different crowd and vibe from the last two we did there, which were held in March of 2017 and 2016. While we took a great selection of original art, we also put out a good inventory of my wildflower purses, note cards, calendars and ornaments, knowing that those would likely be the sellers for this show. And that they were! In fact, we almost sold out of both the ornaments and and the clutch purse. Plus, several boxes of note cards, a good number of my 2018 art calendars and several of the larger purses went home with happy customers as well.
   We had several potential collectors look over the large paintings and feel confident that follow up sales will happen. But for the weekend, it was more about filling the gift list for most of the visitors. Knowing that my wildflowers will be bringing people smiles on Christmas morning is heartwarming!
   The show came to a close on Sunday afternoon and it was time to pack out, head back to the hotel and try to rest up for the long trip home on Monday. Coming into Johnson City after dark gave us one last sight-seeing adventure to top off the trip. We turned off the main drag at the Pedernales Electric Coop sign to go see the lights they put out each year. Late on a Monday night, there was only one other car there so we almost had it to ourselves. What a treat!
   We are back home now. Tomorrow, David will have our gallery open for business again and I'll be back to teaching!
I hope you've enjoy reading about our travels and seeing a few photos! Hope our paths cross soon!