Debbie Overton Designs

JIAA Arts Festival and More

Several of you emailed me over the weekend wandering how the Jekyll Island Arts Festival went.  I am very happy to say one of my pieces entered in the exhibit placed 3rd in the Advanced Collage and Mixed Media category!  AND I didn't even know it even though the judging was Thursday and the Festival was open Friday.  We had nasty weather and I just couldn't make myself get out in it.  I would have been very happy to receive one of the many Honorable Mentions and was thrilled when after working my Saturday morning shift to find all three of my pieces right in the middle of the main gallery and tried very hard to contain myself when I spotted the ribbon. 

Saturday was bright and sunny with lots of wind and I do mean wind.  Most of the outside activities had to be canceled, so the gallery was filled to capacity all day.  Gorgeous collage & mixed media oil watercolor acrylics pastel charcoal and more filled all the walls and free standing walls of the first floor of the gallery with more artwork filling the stair wall and landing to the second floor where you found photography fiber arts pottery and more.  I met lots of wonderful artists and enjoyed interacting with all the visitors from all over.....Canada New York Ohio Pennsylvania Michigan Maryland Virginia, North and South Carolina Florida and many others were there.

There was an older gentleman, Mr. Malcolm Hanson inside Goodyear Cottage playing the piano and I had the privilege of working the table next to him.  He had a wonderful Irish accent and so funny and could carry on a conversation with anyone that stopped by while never missing a beat.  I could have listened to him all day....play and talk.

Sunday morning Steve Seth KC and I headed back over to the Island stopping at our favorite IHOP for breakfast....after a delicious breakfast and lots of talking we headed to the Festival....the day was beautiful and lots of people out milling around.  We stopped in some of the other historic district shops just browsing around before making our "can't go to the island without stopping at the beach for a few minutes" stop.  When we left the house at 10 we didn't expect to be gone all day....but we were and we had a really good day together.

Kids are home for Spring Break so my time here will be limited to their time with friends....come to think of it.....I may have lots of time to myself.....especially with KC....either her phone or the house phone has been ringing non-stop wanting her to do something. 

For those that have posted here, emailed us or called about Colby....we all thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  He had a good day Saturday....even went with friends out to dinner and a movie that night.  Then he pays for it the next day....he has to learn to pace himself....I have tried telling him this....but this coming from me....that goes 24/7 does not really mean much to him right now.  He will learn and he will adjust.  Again thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.

After seeing so much wonderful inspiration this weekend I am just itching to start a few new pieces and finish up some sitting in the corner.

Debbie

Just by Hand

It has been a few days.....trying to find a balance with everything I have going on.  Making progress in some areas....some still need to find there place in my schedule.  All I can say is I am glad last week is over....my kids are better.....the weekend was gorgeous and I have my to do list made for the week.  Yesterday was in the upper 70's and Steve asked to go over to Jekyll Island....you know me anything to get me over to the beach. 

We parked in the historic district and took a leisurely walk around....going in and out of shops....last week I took some of my Paper Books over to one of the shops....he knew this as I told him about it....as we made our way through shop and after....I wanted to say something.....but I thought no.....he is going to have to remember and find them.  Just when I thought he was going to say are you ready to head over to the beach for a while....he surprised me....he wanted to know if we were going to visit Just by Hand....YES, he was listening the night I told him!  His next test was to actually go into the shop with rooms filled with wonderful hand crafted items and lots of shoppers.  It took a few minutes but he circled around and said your books like nice! 

Thought I better throw in a little artwork as someone recently asked me why I never posted my artwork on my blog.....well I do....I just don't post everything I do....so here's a 6x12 canvas I did while experimenting with different paints and techniques.  This piece has several coats of black gesso, antique sheet music snippets and lots of Golden Acrylics under and over the snippets.  The reason for so many coats of black gesso....I would use a color and didn't like it....so I would cover it with the gesso and go at it again.

This week is going to be busy....Tuesday I deliver the pieces I will be exhibiting in the Jekyll Island Arts Association Art Festival this coming weekend.  Wed or Thurs I need to take a few pieces over I will have in the Festival Shop for sale and Friday I go to Savannah to meet Colby's plane.  He is flying in to spend a few days with us.  Steve and I are excited...all three kids will be here....home from college.....Colby will fly back Tuesday afternoon and KC will leave the following Sunday.  Seth is already complaining about the other two coming home for so many days....he likes being home with just us....and it is just Seth and I usually for several days at a time....now the middle child will have to share us with someone else!

Thanks for stopping by!

Debbie