I'm in the process of preparing for our upcoming workshop at the Discovery Center in Deep Creek Lake State Park. The dates are November 9, 10 and 11. I always enjoy these workshops. Garrett County, MD is a hotbed for the arts and the enthusiasm of this group is always stimulating and contagious.

Our photographer friend, Jim Lawrence, and wife, Louise, were located right across from us and they are good company. Jim is the kind of guy who will jump in and help when you have a need. He has done this for us and others and we thank him.

We followed up with a speaking engagement at the West Hills Art League, near Pittsburgh.  We shared our experiences in marketing art with this exceptionally capable group. We enjoyed their hospitality and look forward to jurying their member show next April.

Next on the docket is a three day watercolor workshop at the Deep Creek State Park (MD) Discovery Center sponsored by the Garrett County Arts Council.

This is the big weekend in Maryland's Garrett County...it is Autumn Glory time and the festivities begin today with the firemen's parade and "Oktoberfest" shindig at the fire hall in Oakland. If you haven't been to one of these, you need to. Oompah music, suds, food and firetrucks.

Saturday features the annual parade through Oakland.

Maryland's banjo, fiddle and mandolin champs will be crowned following a competition held in the gymnasium at Southern High School.  And, the old Bluegrass Painter will have an Appalachian Studio booth set up at the Heritage arts and crafts fair in the Broadford middle school building. Stop by and visit if you can. We will be featuring our new watercolor on canvas works along with conventional watercolors, prints and cards.
I call this "The Conversation".   I have done this on paper and on canvas. The canvas will be at the show and the paper version has been added to our card collection.

I did listen to the IBMA awards presented last week while sitting on the back porch of a rented house. Thanks to Sirius Satellite radio, we heard it all while staying in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario.

Now, I must say Niagara-On-The-Lake is a pretty town. But, if you want any down home bluegrass you better bring your own. We did, two friends to pick with while the ladies enjoyed the perfumes and things of the shops in town.

Most interesting part of the trip, scenery wise, at least for me, was the Welland Canal. Impressive. Big boats moving from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie and back. I did a little drawing and painting in the three days there...here's an impression of the Welland scene.

The IBMA World of Bluegrass starts today in Nashville and, sad to say, I'm going to miss it this year.

Bluegrassers from all over will be there. Business ands social events will be highlighted by the awards show this Thursday at the venerable Ryman...and, FanFest this weekend.  Even though I won't be able to partake, I will make a point to catch the awards fest on my Sirius Satellite radio and will pick a tune or two this week as a tribute.

I'll be there in spirit.