Trying to Re-Enter "Normal" Life Again!

I'm BAAAAAACK!  I recently got sucked into the whirling vortex that is "August" for face painters...the last month of summer where everyone crams in their events!  I have emerged, though teetering around a bit with a kink in my back and my previously broken wrist throbbing again, to live to tell about it! 

Well, okay, so August isn't over yet.  We're only a couple/few weeks into it.  But, August marks the Dakota County Fair week for me. This is the only county fair that I paint at, and for good reason...the 12 hour days painting coupled with over an hour's drive one way makes for a very long and tiring week!  This year was my 14th year painting at the fair, and I believe the 8th (?) year that my most fantastical and talented mom has shared the booth with me!

Our whole family at the booth!

2011 turned out to be a good year, especially when compared to 2010, which was my 2nd least profitable year ever.  So, that was pretty awesome. The amazing weather every single day played a big role too I'm sure.  This is the first time I can recall making it through the fair without a massive and dangerous storm!  (making me most happy to say the "whirling vortex" is completely figurative!)

It was a really fun year!  I added a book of full-face and hand/arm designs which were a lot of fun to do, and I took advantage of any "down time" to paint up my own arm and get some fun photos for my work samples which I hope to post up soon. I think my favorite this week was this chicken I painted on my hand.

buck. buck. BUCK-AWK!

If you'd like to check out more photos from the fair, check out my latest Fair Recap post on my Paintertainment blog.  I've also recently shared a few more fun hand designs.  I'm working on a book right now that will show step-by-step photos to paint 18 really fun hand designs, and hope to have that published very soon!

So, that's what I've been up to lately.  I still have several face painting gigs in the next few weeks, and more requests coming in through September.  But, for now, I'm enjoying getting back to "normal life" again for a while!  And VERY excited to receive the fruits of my summer labor, my new Macbook Pro, just ordered today by my Mom (yup, that same "most fantastical" woman mentioned earlier), who just so happens to be an Apple Specialist at the Mall of America's Apple Store.  Now that's one cool Gramma if I do say so myself!  Thanks, Mom!

Sammy loves his Angry Bird!