(Above) Before the rain. Happy. Joy.
(Above) There was a live band playing at the other end of the street.
My Dear Husband (soaking wet) in the wreckage of display tent.
Salvaged during the storm.
There's a car under that tree.Yesterday my Husband and I set up shop at the Kent (Ohio) Art & Wine Festival. Readers may remember Kent had tornado like conditions last time around and I cancelled at the last moment.... Later that night (after the festival was officially canceled) I congratulated myself for making a good decision.
Heh. Now fast forward to yesterday... The re-scheduled event had a 40% chance for rain and I decided it was worth the risk. We set up. I had a blast talking to people and getting valuable feedback on my paintings. My homemade notecards were a total hit and sales on those were brisk. Happyhappyjoy. Husband went off to find us some icecream.
The skies then darkened ominously & suddenly. But I see somebody from the local paper buzzing around artist George Kocar next door and decide to hang around and see if I too can get some publicity. (doh!) Husband later reports that he saw lightning and he immediately turned around to come back to the booth.
Then it rained. You wouldn't believe how fast and how furiously the rain arrived. Lightning hit a nearby tree and crushed a fellow exhibitor's car. Within minutes the sides of the street became fast moving streams. We tried grabbing and stacking the art in the middle of the booth, but the canopy top blew partially off. Things got wet. Large works on paper were ruined. Several small daily paintings were damaged when one of the display racks blew over. All paper products were ruined: business cards, flyers & notecards. At some point I just stood there and cried.
I'm sure there's a bright side to this somewhere... Right now (Sunday morning) I'm having a problem finding it. I'm gonna take a week and let things air out literally and figuratively. I need a play date with my nephews. It's time for a break, will be back in a week or so.
Heh. Now fast forward to yesterday... The re-scheduled event had a 40% chance for rain and I decided it was worth the risk. We set up. I had a blast talking to people and getting valuable feedback on my paintings. My homemade notecards were a total hit and sales on those were brisk. Happyhappyjoy. Husband went off to find us some icecream.
The skies then darkened ominously & suddenly. But I see somebody from the local paper buzzing around artist George Kocar next door and decide to hang around and see if I too can get some publicity. (doh!) Husband later reports that he saw lightning and he immediately turned around to come back to the booth.
Then it rained. You wouldn't believe how fast and how furiously the rain arrived. Lightning hit a nearby tree and crushed a fellow exhibitor's car. Within minutes the sides of the street became fast moving streams. We tried grabbing and stacking the art in the middle of the booth, but the canopy top blew partially off. Things got wet. Large works on paper were ruined. Several small daily paintings were damaged when one of the display racks blew over. All paper products were ruined: business cards, flyers & notecards. At some point I just stood there and cried.
I'm sure there's a bright side to this somewhere... Right now (Sunday morning) I'm having a problem finding it. I'm gonna take a week and let things air out literally and figuratively. I need a play date with my nephews. It's time for a break, will be back in a week or so.
Awww, so sorry about this bad luck, Diane, what a bummer! But at least neither of you got hurt, YOUR car didn't get crushed and after you have settled down, you can move on and make more beautiful art;)
ReplyDeleteThis will be a humorous "war" story at some point, I promise!
Oh goodness! I am so sorry and hopefully after the strain of that experience you will recover and be back soon!
ReplyDeleteOh no! Diane I'm so sorry! Any chance that you might carry a business insurance policy that would cover the damages? Have a wonderful, relaxing break.
ReplyDeleteOh Diane! What an awful ordeal to go through, and it started out so nicely too! Geee!! What a terrible storm!! Your pictures look like they were taken on 2 completely different days! Enjoy your break, you deserve it!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the storm. Let the artwork dry out and then put it up for sale as a "remembrance" of the storm of "July 2010".
ReplyDeleteDavid Fairrington
Oh Dianne - that is the biggest bummer in the world! Hope you and your stuff survived - that happened to me once, only just the wind part - some of my very large glass in frame pastel pieces blew along the street for a ways - my display took a tumble, all before we knew what had happened...ruined the show, which had just started - I feel for you, I know how it can make you feel.
ReplyDeleteDiane, how traumatic and disheartening...I hope you jump into your hiatus and enjoy life for awhile...
ReplyDelete{{Hugs}}
DJ
:( Oh Diane. That's awful. You wouldn't think that would happen twice, would you?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you need a play date with your nephews. My two always make me forget anything bad.
I am so sorry that this happened to you!! This festival was just not meant to happen, I guess. It sounds scary! Happy that you and your husband were not hit by lightening and all people are safe and sound. Enjoy your break and nephews and return refreshed and ready to paint. Good thoughts are sent your way!
ReplyDeleteWhat a dreadful experience! I'm so sorry. Hopefully some of the items can dry out successfully. Your booth looked great before the deluge.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the boys' company. That's good medicine.
!! We went to see a matinee this afternoon and when I came back I discovered all of your wonderful encouraging comments, thank you everyone for your thoughtful comments. Katherine, unless health insurance covers damaged art, NO I don't have any! It was a good idea though. Anyway, I just need to lay low for a bit and recup. I'm tempted to swear off art fairs altogether but right now is not the time for bold declarations, heh, I just need to CHILL. Thanks everybody I really appreciate the input.
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ReplyDeleteHow utterly disheartening! I'm so so sorry to hear this happened and hope that you didn't loose too much of your beautiful artwork in the storm.
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs
Gwen
I'm so sorry this happened to you. I hope everything will dry out and you haven't lost as much as you originally thought. very very best to you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry! A 40% chance of rain meant 60% chance that it wouldn't...I think I'd have been an optimist also. The sky looked so blue!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it wasn't your tent under that tree! Again, I'm really sorry for all the work you lost. I hope your regain your spirits soon.
What a terrible loss! Hopefully, you'll be able to just move forward and put this behind you. Sorry about the loss of all your paintings...how awful! Keep your chin up!
ReplyDeleteBless your heart, Diane! Outdoor art shows are so much fun, so great for your exposure, wonderful opportunities to meet new people and grow your business. Always fun to get to know other vendors, too. But, always a risk for rain, wind, heat...whatever the weather could make or break a show. Count your blessings and grow with this. Your work is beautiful and your booth looks very welcoming. Better luck next time.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I'm so sorry this outdoor festival turned into such a mess for you . . . and everyone that day. Esp the guy whose car was under that tree. I look forward to more beautiful paintings after you take a week off.
ReplyDeleteJoan
Oh NOOOO! My heart goes out to you. It's among the worst nightmares of the outdoor exhibitor. I hope you're able to salvage most of your beautiful paintings.
ReplyDeleteOh Diane, how disheartening for you! I'm so sorry you lost so many works of art, breaks my heart. With a tiny vacation you'll be better than new in no time, though. I have faith in you. Sending you warm hugs and best wishes for your next outdoor show.
ReplyDeletexox,
Loren
I too am sorry- I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteRain and PAIN.
BUT CARRY ON !
Your paintings are wonderful- I want some note cards when you re-print!
Diane--SO sorry this happened! Good idea to take a break and let those creative batteries re-charge.
ReplyDeleteOh, Di.... I just read this. I am so sorry. All your hard work....
ReplyDeleteA Japanese poet once said to take that pain and "use it as fuel for the journey." I'm keeping that in mind for the journey I'm on right now.
Diane, I think you should get back on that horse & RIDE! Add some more gear to your setup. Side curtains, these can be put up to block sun & rain. I know wind was an issue, but one of your neighbors in those pictures had them up and was still standing. Also, more plastic! Good clear dropcloths and more plastic boxes, too. Consider doing a take down/wrap up drill in your own backyard.
ReplyDeleteI am very glad you reported this in so much detail. This is very helpful to all of us 'wannabees' that hope to show our work at fairs.
Keep Calm and Carry On.
Oh how awful!!! I am glad that you and your husband weren't injured in the event. I hope that you were able to recover most of your artwork. Sometimes those storms happen in a flash!! Rest and relax and you'll feel refreshed and able to get right back to painting!
ReplyDeleteHow terrible! I hope you have recovered from this traumatic experience! Your work is lovely and I look forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteSo so sorry.... Very crushing I'm sure, but you will make more beautiful art. Just so sad that you had to go through this nightmare.
ReplyDeleteDiane, Sounds like quite an experience. So sorry to hear about your damage, but, thankfully no one wad injured! I know how you feel though, I once did a trunk show with a trusted client and she closed up shop and took my $6000. worth of inventory and fled town. I survived, and so will you.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Carol
OMG. So, now you've ha almost a week to rest. Hope you can move on!
ReplyDeleteOh Diane, what a shame and you work so hard. All those lovely pieces. Hope you didnt lose too much and I'm sure by now it is feeling a bit less of a trauma. Have a nice few family days and you'll feel refreshed enough to get back to it I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences, Diane! (I'm so glad that you survived to tell the tale but what an awful tale it is.) I wish you a whole load of healing play time!!!
ReplyDeleteI really like the white cat Charlie painting. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful advice from Jan about the back yard drill!
ReplyDeleteYou really sound amazingly OK considering your loss. But as the others above have said, Something Good WILL Come From This! In the case, only God knows what that could be!
Beckie
Hi Diane - I realize this is in response to something that happened 2 weeks ago, but I just read your post. First, of course, I'm so sorry for this bad experience, but am glad you two were not bodily harmed. Second, I wanted to add that my husband had a similar story involving a sudden storm at a festival where he was displaying his pottery. He sustained significant damage to the pottery and his stands, but had a writer on his homeowners policy that covered it. He also carries liability insurance. You might look into the homeowner's angle. And... your paintings are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThat's awful, I'm sorry to hear you lost some paintings to the weather:(
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