How time flies! The last four weeks have been a blur of Ebby the Magnificent related art festivals and travel. Ebby the Magnificent found lots of new homes, one of my paintings received Honorable Mention at the Vancouver Fine Art Show, and my artwork is now available for purchase in high quality archival prints (Giclée). We topped it off by going camping with our Fluffle (pictured above). Nothing like unplugging in the woods with a bunch of bunnies to reset the clock. Now it's time to get back to work.
The Vancouver Art and Music Festival
I started this month with my first art event, the Vancouver Art and Music Festival. This three-day event was enormous. There were hundreds of artists, a juried fine art event, dozens of music performances, activities for kids, art vendors, food carts, and thousands upon thousands of visitors. I had never done anything like that before, so a few days before it started, my husband and I decided we needed to practice and set up our tent in the garage to figure out how to display my books, cards, prints and art in a 10 x 10 foot tent.
There is a lot to consider when being a vendor at an event that doesn't come intuitively. You can learn by watching YouTube videos, but a lot of it can only be figured out by the seat of your pants. What works for one person and their set of goods may not work for another. The first thing we had to figure out was how to display Ebby the Magnificent, so the book would take front and center. Next, how to display the canvas prints, cards, artwork, etc., all with an eye of not scaring away a potential visitor. I think we nailed it, don't you?
The Joy of Ebby
The most fun thing about being out in the public is the joy of introducing Ebby the Magnificent to new people. It's so hard to describe Ebby to the uninitiated. This is how a typical conversation goes:
Stranger: "Is it a children's book?"
Me: " Yes, but it's good for all ages because there is no violence or cruelty in it."
Stranger: "Does the bunny die?"
Me: "No! No one dies. Ebby doesn't die. Ebby's mother doesn't die. No one dies. There's no violence or cruelty in it, just lots of adventure and kindness."
Stranger flipping through the book.: "Oh, it's got paintings. . . Oh! Wow! This isn't an ordinary book."
Me: "No, it isn't your ordinary book. I painted the illustrations."
Stranger/quickly becoming a friend: "You did?!"
Me: "Yes, I painted everything except for the map. My gorgeous husband painted the map."
Friend: "There's a map!? I LOVE maps." Flipping through the pages. "Oh my goodness, there's a dragon!"
Me: "Yes, there is a dragon. That's Sofia. Her power is love."
Friend: "I think I need to get this book for fill in blank."
Me: "Woohoo!"
End scene.
I can't begin to describe the sheer joy I get watching a youngster writing their name in their very own copy of Ebby. I imagine them looking back on this page when they are adults, or giving it to their kids and remembering the day they got Ebby. My husband and I put many added details into this book, including this wonderful "This Book Belongs To:" page to make it something to be treasured and passed down.
And the Award Goes to. . .
I mentioned in last month's newsletter that I entered the Vancouver Arts and Music Festival Juried Art Show with three landscape paintings, A Reflection on Yosemite Falls, Croatian Poppies, and Aspens. Well, guess what!? I received the award of Honorable Mention for a Landscape for my Aspens painting! I was excited to have my art accepted for a juried event because this was the first art event I entered. I was beyond stunned to find a beautiful green ribbon hanging next to one of them!
Ebby the Magnificent makes every bunny smile!
These are two of the Magnificent people who bought a copy of Ebby at the Vancouver Art and Music Festival, RobRoy Ranger and Syble Crow. Syble then got four more copies to give to each of her grandchildren at the Washougal Festival. How cool is that?! Thanks to everyone who braved the heat to come see me and for all the wonderful conversations we had about bunnies, joy, happiness, and art.
Washougal Arts and Music Festival and the Beauty of Local Artists
The second art festival I participated in was in Washougal, Washington. This lovely event was put on by the Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance, a group of wonderful local artists whose mission "is to foster a thriving local art scene that enhances a strong sense of place and community." By this time, setting up our tent was old hat--except we forgot critical pieces of our shelving system, rendering it inoperable as intended. Good thing I had the sense to marry a rocket scientist! A few zip ties and bubblegum was all my sweet husband needed to not only make our tent functional, but welcoming. These are some of the delightful people who were introduced to Ebby and took her home with them.
By now, I understand and appreciate just how hard artist vendors work to make their space look professional, welcoming, and gorgeous. We are given about 1-2 hours to transform a 10 x 10 foot piece of real estate into something extraordinary. I have so much admiration for the people I met and encourage you to stop the next time you see a local artist festival and see the beauty they create. While you are there, buy something handmade and special.
Archival Quality Prints of my Paintings are now available!
I am pleased to announce that Jim and Matt Dittmer of JDA Creative Color are now providing me with Giclée prints of my art for sale! Giclée is the term used for fine art prints using a specialized high resolution inkjet printer. These Fine Art Giclée masterpieces are printed on heavy weight museum grade, archival fine art watercolor paper and will last for generations if properly handled and displayed. This barred owl painting turned out so great you would be hard pressed to pick the print from the original! The print captures every detail, every brushstroke, and the color is exact. These Giclée prints will be available for purchase at my in-person events, or by contacting me directly. An 11" x 14" unframed print is only $125.00. Larger sizes can be ordered as well. I currently have seven of my most popular paintings available in an 11" x 14" print. They will be added to my website soon, but in the meantime, if you would like to order a Giclée print of any of one of these seven paintings, or any other painting I have done, please reach out to me at jessica@jwjulian.com. I will number and sign each print.
In addition to the Barred Owl Painting (above), I have the following 11" x 14" Giclée prints available.
August Art Festivals and Author Events
The final event I will participate in this August is the much anticipated and well attended music event of the summer, the 3-day Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival. I will join 19 other fine artist displaying and selling their exquisite art. In addition to the amazing art for sale, there will be so many world-renowned musicians, it has been called the largest music event of its kind in the Southwest Washington area. And don't forget the wine and food that will be available! I am super honored to have been chosen as an artist at this event and I would love to see you there. Advanced tickets for this event are available at a discount in advance at https://www.vancouverwinejazz.com or at regular price at the event.
Ebby is the perfect gift for every occasion.
Ebby the Magnificent is available in a First Edition heirloom quality hardcover edition or a deluxe softcover version. Both versions include a sewn and glued seam, heavy, high-quality paper, gorgeous, full-color images, and a map of the Land of Stones on the front and back covers so you always know where you are. Because it is a one hundred percent positive, bright, hopeful and cheery book, full of adventure, beautiful illustrations, and valuable life lessons for all ages, it is the perfect gift for weddings, baby showers, graduations from 1st grade to PhDs, birthdays, and any other reason you might have to give a beautiful and thoughtful gift. Available only at www.jwjulian.com and select independent bookstores now listed on the Stores page of my website. I am happy to custom autograph your book.
Happy reading and hoppy adventures!
J. W. Julian
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