Sunday, June 12, 2011

At the Show in Royal Oak, Michigan

It struck me Saturday morning as I was driving the final hour into Royal Oak, Michigan that it was only about 10 miles from downtown Detroit.  Unfortunately, I had a slight queasy moment in my stomach thinking what am I doing here.  Detroit is known for a mass exodus of people that has been going on for years, and the stark contrast of the city against the skyline wasn't doing my thoughts of this place any favors.

Signs of decay are littered around Interstate 75 as it winds through the central core, and the broken homes and dreams that line the interstate are harsh reminders of a city that was once a jewel of this mid-western city.  But, there is a strange beauty in this stark reminder of a city that once mass produced most of the automobiles used around the world and set the foundation of how we live in this country.

There are several magnificent churches standing tall amongst the broken homes and bombed-out looking building along my path.  Few lights can be seen from the freeway, and it appears that most of these structures are abandoned. 

As I round through the city and leave Wayne County and enter Oakland county the change is almost instantaneous.  The Interstate is missing the constant thumping sound that started when I hit the Detroit city limits and trash is missing from alongside the road (there's a terrible amount of paper trash all along through Detroit).  Instantly, I consciously think that I'm going to like this place.  I turn west onto Interstate 696 west and head to the first exit to turn into Royal Oak. Right at my turn is Cariobou Coffee on South Main street...Ah, life can now continue!


I stop for some Java and head the two blocks west to the art show and my booth space.  It's right on the corner of East Fourth and Washington streets.  The neighborhood has obviously been going through improvements over a number of years and most of the storefronts have operating businesses in them.  Even at 6:30AM there are other people other than us artists walking around.  Everyone is amazingly friendly and happy - I wonder what they put into the water around here? 

The policeman has me back right up to my booth to unload...Am I in Kansas I think to myself (somewhere I have to reference The Wizard of Oz in all this).  Then I head down to the show to check in.  They give me two special passes because I have a dual wheel truck and trailer which allows me to park about 10 feet from my booth instead of the three blocks they have reserved for the other artists - it pays to have one one ton dual wheel truck with a 16 foot long trailer!


10:00 AM rolls on and people start milling in to the show.  There's a glass blowing exhibit across the way, and my other neighbor is creates really cool sculptures from a high fire stoneware.  He creates these small dragons that are hatching from eggs, giraffes, and has one cool cowboy on a horse (www.ericevanssculpture.com), and he's a great neighbor.  The show had consistent sales until we closed at 7:00PM and then I headed out for some dinner.

BD's Mongolian grill was around the corner and I settled in for a few beers and some grub.  I like these type of restaurants.  I can get fresh chicken and vegetables cooked to order and relax for awhile.  It's a great way to wind down the day.  I'm heading off to the motel to crash, and the streets are packed with people.  Restaurants are full and I can barely walk across the street from all the traffic.  This is obviously the place to be on Friday night.  However, I needed sleep and not entertainment.



I of course headed to Caribou Coffee for my morning fix and get my thoughts written.  In about another hour there's an artist award's breakfast, and we'll see if I'm one of the lucky ones or just get fed.  I'll be happy either way.

This is my last mid-west show and then I'm back to Florida tonight.  Thursday, I'm heading to Vancouver, Washington, but I have an insane amount of work to get completed before I head west.  It's going to be a busy summer.

Friday, June 3, 2011

On the Road in Cleveland, Tennessee



This week I'm on the road back for shows in Ohio and Michigan, and I'm thinking about my exciting life as a traveling artist.

It's a few minutes after 7 AM and I've been driving for just over an hour this morning.  I pulled over and stopped in Cleveland, Tennessee for a few minutes of rest and breakfast at McDonald's - nothing but the finest for us!  Cleveland is a few minutes north of Chattanooga on Interstate 75 in a beautiful hilly wooded setting.  Unfortunately, that will be the extent of what I can share with you because I've got to get back on the road.  It's typical of what I know about so many cities that I visit as I criss-cross America. 

This trip is about a 1,000 mile drive from our Florida home and time is a consideration for this time of year.  It's show time and many people depend on me to get there dreams created, and I love to see happy people.  There are times where I'd really love to be able to print something out and display it, but I don't believe that it would cut it with many of you.

Driving and working with the road are part of the challenges in getting to the next show.  Last night, a truck through a tire some ways in front of me, and as I saved the truck from catching the tire, the passenger side trailer fender was not so lucky.  The tire smacked the fender and dropped in front of the trailer tire which in turn whipped it upwards and under the fender.  Next, the fender ripped off save for two bolts and shorted out the trailer lights.  Hmm.  About 30 minutes before dark and what to do.  Hey, I'm an artist.

I dug out the tool chest, we keep it right by the trailer side door, and took off the fender.  The fuse was blown under the truck hood, and there wasn't any 20 amp mini fuses left.  Fortunately, I was about an hour south of Atlanta and there are plenty of truck stops looking forward to selling me what I needed.  All together I was only down about 30 minutes and back on the road heading north of Atlanta - I like to get north to miss the morning traffic through the city.

It was about 11:45 when I rolled into the first rest stop north of Atlanta for a few hours rest.  I set my clock for 6 AM just in case I dozed too long, but my body clock woke me about 5:30 and here I am.  A few more sips of coffee, drop off my tray, and hit the road.