[Chris Saper]

Heidi,

Like LInda, I have been thinking of the many artists her in the Valley with 2 month shows that have been rained out nearly every weekend. I have likewise experienced a full out disaster, all the eggs in a one-night basket. I t was horrible.

The extraordinary cost, thankfully (or not) seems to have much more to do with the high costs associated with foundries, materials, etc, that are just inherent in your medium, than with costs that can't be recovered. Plus you now have the inventory you need to show and sell.

I understand your thoughts about "cowboy" or "southwestern" art - the subject matter is so tediously overdone, I think if I see another faceless Navajo woman in a colorful shawl I'll just scream. That being said, you might consider the Phippen Show in Prescott - it is a western show for sure, but I have the feeling that sculptors do quite well there. You could check it out this Memorial Day weekend - Jane Bradley and I will both be there. Then you can see if it's something you would want to do next year.

The Scottsdale Center for the Arts is a much higher end venue that Carefree, and might make more sense for you.

As to the "selling out" thing, I have come to believe that an hour at the easel (or stand, in your case) is never, ever, a wasted hour, no matter what you're working on.