Catching Up: A Summer of Art, Family, and Change

I’ll admit it — I’ve been terrible about posting updates on my art shows this summer. In fact, I haven’t shared anything in quite a while. So, here’s a long-overdue recap of the events I’ve been part of: Putnam Fine Arts & Crafts, A Summer’s Palette (Ashford, CT), the Wickford Art Festival, and the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival.

The truth is, this summer has been overwhelming in ways I didn’t expect. This spring, we moved my parents up to live with us. Not long after, my dad spent a week in the hospital followed by several weeks in rehab. Since then, life has been filled with doctor’s appointments and care routines. While it’s added plenty to my to-do list, I don’t regret it for a moment — having them close again after years of living far apart has been a gift.

On top of that, art festivals and my regular work schedule kept me more than occupied. I still managed to create several new paintings, but my energy levels have been a constant challenge. And then came the hardest blow — the Friday morning before the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, my 14-year-old blue heeler, Daisy, passed away from heart failure. She had been by my side for so long, and losing her has left a big hole in my heart.

Putnam Fine Arts & Crafts

One of my favorite shows — not just for the art, but for the community. Many friends from the art guild participate, and the familiar faces make it special. Sales were decent this year, though the early-season heat wave was brutal. I handled the heat during the show well, but during breakdown, I focused so much on loading up that I forgot to hydrate — nearly giving myself heat stroke. Lesson learned! Despite the weather, foot traffic was strong, and the show continues to grow each year.

A Summer’s Palette

This was my first time at this small but charming show. The shady, tree-lined location was beautiful, my booth neighbors were wonderful, and the event was well organized. Traffic was steady, but sales were light — similar to my experience at the group’s Christmas Bazaar last year. I think my art just isn’t quite the right fit for the area.

That said, the highlight of the day was selling one of my Pride desktop paintings to a young buyer who hugged it tightly and walked away beaming. That moment alone made it worth being there.

Wickford Art Festival

This was my biggest show yet — at least until Mystic — and I loved the setup. Instead of cramming booths into narrow streets, the layout in the park’s field gave everyone corner booths with plenty of space for the large crowds. The weather was surprisingly cool for mid-July, and sales were my best yet — I sold two of my largest paintings.

Another bonus? Getting juried in means I’m automatically accepted for the next two years. I’ll gladly be back.

Mystic Outdoor Art Festival

Mystic is massive — often called the largest art festival in New England. It stretches along the water front, and even though my first-year booth placement was away from the busiest areas, the foot traffic was still impressive.

This time, I only sold a desktop painting and a single print. But honestly, my heart wasn’t in selling. Losing Daisy the morning before took the wind out of me, so I kept things low-key. Even so, the energy of the event, the kindness of my neighbors, and the excellent volunteers made it a bright spot during a difficult weekend. I’ll definitely give it a full-energy try next year if I’m accepted again.

So, that’s the summer recap. Next up are a couple of one day shows including: Madison Pride Fest and the 11th Annual Art In The Park Show -Roseland Park. I’ll finish up the season outdoors with the 61st Annual Old Saybrook Arts & Crafts Festival in October.

Until next time,
—Jay