[Lynn O. Doughty]

A good show but attendance was waaaaaay down. It's always good to see old friends again but it's also good to meet new ones, especially those with a thick wallet! Unfortunately, those were few and far between this year.

I met Kenny from Caney, along with his wife and grandaughter, and Carver6 from Springfield, MO. It was really nice to meet carvers on the other end of these forum postings.

I guess my seminar went okay. It's always hard to judge what's going on inside another's head when you're talking to them. I did note one attendee nodding off but the others seemed interested. I did get a lot of positive comments on my new Blog.

I didn't compete in the caricature categories this year but did manage to win second place in the whittling contest, beat out by Rusty Johnson. Rusty also took the honors for the caricature division. He's one of the best carvers I've seen in quite sometime and we'll be hearing more about him in the future. His wife won my Project Cowboy Boots as a Dinner Door Prize!

My wife sold Chief Thunderbolt to a lady of who runs a Native American Art appraisal company. The Lady told me if I had any Native American blood running through the old veins I'd be on my way! I ask her if a transfusion would work but she said NO! Another brush with fame gone awry!

This was my last show until Dayton in November, providing my number comes up there. After that I thought we'd try the Mesa, AZ show next February. We're always on the lookout for that Golden Show at the end of the Rainbow where Caricature Cowboys sell like Hot Cakes for Big Bucks! Sort of the Big Rock Candy Mountain of Woodcarving!!! If anyone has found such a place please let me know.!!!

[Marci MN]

It sounds like you had a great show!

I was just thinking.. how about bringing your cowboys to where the cowboys are?
http://probullstats.com/rodeo/rodeo.php

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

He is Marci.....Mesa ARIZONA! LOL

[Kenny_S]

Wel Lynn, If I had to lose out to someone, Rusty Johnson would have been an honor.
I beleive both of you are of the highest caliber of Caricature carvers and I have seen Rusty's Santas up close also.It would be a tough call on who was better. All I can say is, I was glad I wasn't competing there for first place. Some fantastic carvings and spent a lot of time looking yours over and saw things in the same scene I didn't see the day before.
The little granddaughter said while we were looking at your stage Coach robbery scene, "Papa, look at the rabbit, he is hol;ding up his hands also". Sure enough, something I did not see Friday.
All in all, a few more booths there this year than last but better quality dispalys and carvings.
It was nice, now, for the OKCITY show.

[Baldy]

Lynn:

As a member of both the AWA and Grand Canyon Carvers, the two groups doing the Mesa show, I assure you that we would be most honored to have you attend the Feb. show! Lots of great people and by the looks of the people attending you would think most of the Mid & Northwest are here in Arizona for the winter.

Dick

[artolver]

Ya know Lynn, when you're in Tulsa you should hang out at the Gillcrese. I wouldn't be surprised if your work sits in there some day. I think some of the Western Art circuets would love to have you at their shows and auctions.
yer a notch above in my book.
art

[Marci MN]

I'm sorry, my mistake on suggesting he could try a new area of sales by vending near Rodeos. I took a guess and I was wrong on the State.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Don't apologize Marci. I've been to lots of Rodeo shows, most recently at the Ranch Rodeo World Championships in Amarillo. Did quite well there. We've also gone to a few Western events, i.e., National Cowboy Symposium, Red Stegall Gathering, Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, Echoes of the Trail just to name a few. While we done well at each we're always on the lookout for new venues in the hopes of striking the mother lode of sales.

Of all the places we've been fortunate enough to exhibit the Santa Clarita show was the most fun. It was held at Gene Autry's Melody Ranch (www.melodyranchstudio.com). If you go to the site go to the interior shots and click on Saloon B2. I had my carvings set up on the bar. I'm told that was the Long Branch bar from Gunsmoke. We had a blast there and even made some money. The icing on the cake was a writeup in Cowboy & Indians magazine which featured an Indian carving of mine.

Art.....We go to Gilcrease about twice a year, especially when they have their Rendezvous show in the spring. Believe it or not, I had a piece in Gilcrease once. It was a small watercolor I did while in highschool. Guess it's still there somewhere, buried in the basement.

(I hate those "Smilies"...you can't turn them off when posting a quick reply!)

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by Marci MN

I'm sorry, my mistake on suggesting he could try a new area of sales by vending near Rodeos. I took a guess and I was wrong on the State.

Just joking with you Marci!

[BobD]

I turned the smiles off for you Lynn <grin>

Bob