Art people are great! I just had the privilege to spend a whole evening at a show with hundreds of fellow artists.  It was an excellent opportunity to meet other creative types and learn how they work and what drives them.

Pancakes and Booze is a traveling “Underground” art show that happens twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall.  I learned from another attendee that this is the 4th that he is aware of here in Minneapolis and they have, in large part, been held at The Loft above Barfly on Hennepin. Artists pay $15 per piece to display their works. And everybody gets pancakes.

One common theme at this event is live body painting. At last night’s event, there was a lovely, young red-head who submitted to become a living canvas for a painter named Kao Lee Thao (www.innerswirl.com). Dressed only in black panties, she sat and stood patiently as Kao gradually transformed her into a piece of art.  The performance aspect was important, as it was a slow process that took most of the evening and people would stop by from time to time to check the progress.  It was well and tastefully done. I have a few process pictures attached to this entry.

I had a lot of fun meeting my wall-space neighbors and we had ample opportunity to discuss our respective crafts.  A number of photographers were circulating, so I got my “shop talk” fix in that way as well. I got to watch painter Chelsea Baert continue work on a canvas that had been started prior to the event and observe her process.  There was also a gentleman whose card identifies him as Pseudo Manitou (pseudo-manitou.deviantart.com) begin the process of inking over a sketch (Note: after a little research, I have learned his name is John). I love watching other artists work, especially those in other media besides photography because I always feel like I’m learning something. Perhaps my observations of how other artists see the world will inform my own work…

In the end, I sold one of my three pieces (Blue Steel Moon – check it out on my Fine Art page) (Thank You, Dave) and as I was packing up my other two pieces, I went out on a limb and asked my wall-neighbor, a painter named Mindy Huntress, if she would like to trade. As it turns out, she was amenable to this arrangement and traded me her painting entitled “Breathe” (which my daughter will love (see the attached picture and you’ll see why)) for my gallery wrap “Two Towers.” So… a good time was had by all, I learned a lot, made a few bucks and came home with a beautiful new painting for Sam.

Works for me.