Creative Painting Convention

Ahhh, a day of shopping for the painter. What a great way to spend a day. The Creative Painting convention in Las Vegas is the first painting convention of the year. It brings excitement, creativity and inspiration to the body and soul!

The effects of the economy could be seen, it was definitely smaller than the last few years. I remember when it was busting at the seems...and I have faith that it will do so again. There used to be a time when I would spend $400-$500 at this show. Although I spent no where near that amount I did do my part to stimulate the ecomony.

Several of the booths had finished pieces that I would have loved to get my hands on and bring home but I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money for them. So I stuck to the basics...some palette paper, brushes, varnish, and some tin to remind me to get more directly from the distributer at a later date. I did purchase a pair of ice skates...they have a double runner on them (much harder to find).

It's also a pleasure to see people that I only see at the show every year. Sadly, some of them live here. I really need to rejoin the local tole chapter again. I dropped out when my oldest started Cub Scouts (he's 24 now...geesh).

Attending convention also reminds me how much I miss teaching others the 'joy of painting'...hehe (Bob Ross pun). I would like to start classes again, but I refuse to teach at a chain store. There are too many restrictions there. Maybe, I'll start teaching some in my house a couple of times a month, that might be fun. If you're interested, let me know. In the mean time I am going to drool over the patterns I bought today...and drift off to sleep tonight with a creative rejuvination for my spirit.