Ghoultide Gathering....the Show!

"Soft in the Head"...set up and READY!
Many people can tell you about having butterflies when they are under stress or excited about an upcoming event...but how many can tell you about fire-breathing gerbils with road rage racing around in their stomachs..."ME"...and I have a big enough stomach for lots and lots of road rage! I don't think I have ever been so excited and nauseated at the same time. I didn't know, only having 6 weeks to prepare, that I would have enough character's for this show...well I did! I also didn't know where "Soft in the Head" could possibly fit in with this group of just simply amazing artists, but guess what, I did! It was fun to see the expression on my husbands face as he looked around at this incredible group of talented and humble individuals. The warmth and sincere appreciation they have for each other was so comforting and a bit emotional, well for me anyway! As I have traveled down this road of artistic discovery I have often stumbled and fallen over a huge ego or two which has kept me on the straight and narrow. I had an epiphany when I was surrounded with the likes of Scott Smith, Nicol Sayre, Paul Gordon and Stephanie & Vaughn Rawson, Sheila Bentley, Will Bezek, Allen Cunningham, Lori Ann Corelis and the list goes on and on...as I stood there being hugged and smiled at and completely made at ease... I realized "here is the A team of artists and there is NOT one ego among any of them, they are friends and comrades. They all have the same goal...celebrate their art and have fun doing it! Help other artists do the same! OMG...this was "ART Mecca"....I had finally found a place where I fit! I was constantly picking my jaw up off the floor at the imaginations that came to life around me. If you love Halloween and have a real passion for it...you have got to go to this show! You will NEVER be the same! If it hadn't been for the encouragement from Joycee, Lori and Dan (hubby) I might have turned the car around and came home...I was speechless at what I saw (and any of you that know me know that would be a miracle in itself, me speechless). Okay now for some pictures.....


Our Meeting Before Set-Up at the Hotel....













Scott Smith and Me (I'm the chubbyone) and a peek of his table!

















Nicol Sayre and Me (she's the pretty one) Paul Gordon (who I adore)

















My Buddy Carolee's booth (sadly no Carolee)












Will Bezek (dressed in the actual costume from "Ghostrider" movie...too cool!
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Allen Cunningham (just the sweetest)and his work!













Lori Ann Corelis' table (sadly no Lori Ann)












Vaughn and Stephanie Rawson's work (Stephanie kept me sane! I adore her!)












Sheila Bentley and Me (again she's the pretty one)..Let me just tell ya...I was next to Shelia and when the doors opened it was like a feeding frenzy at her table...it was unreal! WTG Sheila!









Dara DiMagno and her incredible jewelry (Dara is my new best friend!)...









Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farms' table..AMAZING WORK! Lori and I are neighbors here in Virginia!










Soft in the Head...Before (and under my table was full) and Soft in the Head after (and under the table was empty) WHOA WHAT A RIDE!!!!!!
I miss getting pictures of so many of the artists there, but by the time I had gotten set up there just wasn't time. The lines were so long at the doors that I think we all felt more comfortable staying close to our tables than wandering around. Heck we could have gotten trampled in the wake of thundering feet if we weren't careful. I want to take some time here to thank some wonderful friends. You all came out to see me and your support and encouragement meant so much that mere words just can't express it. Thank you Michelle you mean more to me than you will ever know and Jamie is everything I thought he would be, Teresa B. you being there was inspirational and emotional...I have admired you for years...Jan what can I say but thank you from the bottom of my heart...Cynthia you have always been special to me, thank you!....Theresa M. You are definitely more than a Facebook friend...thank you so much! Mary Ann it was so good putting a face with the name and hugging you, you have always been so good to me...Kathy you made me cry, I miss you! Lori and Joycee nothing can EVER be said that could compare to how I feel about the two of you! A very special thank you to Brenda who couldn't make the show but made it to see me at my hotel...We love you Bren and Max you are the "Man"! LOL! All in all this trip has given me an entirely new look at my characters and my life. I have grown in so many ways from this show and not just around my waist, lol...Scott thank you for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity! Now it is time to start planning for next year! WOO-HOOOOOOO!