I especially enjoyed talking with my artists friends.  Seems like we all need that support with ideas and new pieces. Being able to get help with problems on art work is great,  especially those of us who are self taught with a few teachers in-between.   Sometimes one of us will hear of a new technique or paint or canvas available in the market.  I got a lot of great directions from Todd Lockwood with whom I have had the privilege of getting to know for the last 5 yrs.  I went home and started working on a new picture and did some edits on the “Sapphire Flame” of which I will put the updated version on my site as soon as I am happy with it.

I can’t say I like the music at the dance on thursday but was very happy on the type of music they played on Friday and Saturday.  The floor was crowded but if you wait long enough the crowd thins out and you can dance too.

I joined the WOTC party in the penthouse for a little while then back to the dance.  I would have loved to talk with RA Salvatore but his signing line was so long that you had to be at the head of the line in order to talk with him.  So I had Todd sign my book and that made me happy.  I got to see Salvatore 3 different times at the con so I wont complain.

Being able to meet up with old friends was great.  Dameon and his wife Darragh was there along with my friend Tammy Tripp, Ed Cox, Rebecca Schumacher-Cox, Doug Herring, Jeff Sturgeon, Monika Livingstone, John Gray II, Adrian Bourne, Spring & Dave,Karen Thompson, the Lewis Families, Ivo, Pat & Doug Booze, E.J.  and Chris (Dangerhair) as we know him.  I do miss the ole crowd that no longer attend the cons. Please don’t be offended if I forgot to mention your names.  I love my friends but my memory seems to get worse every year.

My husband Don made sure that Theo Williams and Gail Butler got to spend the Saturday at the convention.  It has been a long time since Gail has been able to attend due to her health.  For all of you who know and love Gail she is doing much better and keeping a close eye on her health.  Her brother David Butler got a chance to spend time with her as well.

Unfortunately my husband Don had to spend time at home due to our dog not having a place to go.  Better luck next time.  He at least got a few hours with me so all was not lost.

This is the first year that my nephew Wesley Payne came up to attend his first con.  He loved it so much that he signed up already for next year.  That a boy!!!  My daughter October grew up in the con since she was 11 yrs old.  She had a great time at the con with her friend Sarah and Dani.  My son Josh is not so interested but he likes a few hrs of the artshow and vendors room.

I am looking forward to the next con…whichever that might be.  I haven’t decided yet.

I wish you all the most wonderful Christmas and New Years imaginable. There are so many wonderful things to try and achieve in making your life the best you can be and have.

Here’s to you and the best you can be!

Durlyn

My friend Rick Enloe won an award for his Pirate girl. My friend Mark Ferrari is doing great on his new book “The Book of Jobey“. I was lucky to get a signed autograph from him. Mark is also a very accomplished artist. I also got a signed autograph from Alan M. Clark and his book of pictures. These two are very talented men in whatever they set their minds to do. Monika Livingstone was there showing her great works of art. Tammy Tripp, my best friend and another great artist who has so much to give to the artworld roomed together and I have to give credit to our husbands who follow us everywhere we went and took care of our pictures and baggage. Thank you so much for the support.

websites to view:

Alan M. Clark: http://www.alanmclark.com/

Mark Ferrari: http://www.markferrari.com/

Monika Livingstone: http://www.monikalivingstone.com

orycon: http://www.orycon.org/

This is how it goes…

I decide to do the laundry, start down the hall and notice the newspaper on the table. OK, I’m going to do the laundry…

BUT FIRST I’m going to read the newspaper. After that, I notice the mail on the table. OK, I’ll just put the newspaper in the recycle stack….

BUT FIRST I’ll look through the pile of mail and see if there are any bills to be paid. Yes. Now where is the checkbook?

Oops.. there’s the empty glass from yesterday on the coffee table. I’m going to look for that checkbook…

BUT FIRST I need to put the glass in the sink.

I head for the kitchen, look out the window, notice my poor flowers need a drink of water, I put the glass in the sink and there’s the remote for the TV on the kitchen counter. What’s it doing here? I’ll just put it away…

BUT FIRST I need to water those plants. I head for the door and…Aaaagh! stepped on the cat. Cat needs to be fed. Okay, I’ll put the remote away and water the plants…

BUT FIRST I need to feed the cat.

END OF DAY: Laundry is not done, newspapers are still on the floor, glass is still in the sink, bills are not paid, checkbook is still lost, and the cat ate the remote control…And, when I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I’m baffled because…I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY!

I realize this condition is serious…I’d get help… BUT FIRST…I think I’ll check my e-mail.