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I had a new landmark event in my career as an artist/author. I was invited to a book signing afternoon at the Hanby House in Westerville, Ohio. I was among three local authors invited to the event. And, it was a lovely summer afternoon as I set up my display in the shade of a very large tree.
Word was sent out to several schools and organizations in the community to advertise the event. And, you never really know who or how many guests will show up for something like that. Some people spent a good amount of time talking to the authors, while others breezed on by to their own loss. One of my particularly favorite visitors was a young girl who said she was an artist. I had to ask, "Do you also draw on your math papers?" We bonded instantly over that. And, her mother testified that she had seen the decorated homework papers. I know, math teachers never like it when I ask children that question, but I believe that class helped to develop my drawing skills when I was in elementary school.
Another man should have had a table set up next to mine with his own book. Instead, he stood in front of my display for two and a half hours, telling one amazing story after another. I have my own supply of adventures and disasters from a lifetime of world travels. But, I rarely have ever heard anyone like this man. He shared his own adventures; as well as the story of his brother, a chaplain, who was killed in Vietnam; and a grandfather (with several greats in front of it) who explored the Ohio River in the early 1800s. Yes, sometime in the future, he needs to sit behind a sales table with his own book.
So, you may have guessed that I had a table to display my books. I have completed 19 children's books and am almost finished with number 20, a tale from Thailand called If It Is Truly Ours. It's enough books to very nicely fill up a table. Anyone looking for children's books should be able to find something that suits their needs in the colorful display. One woman, who looked vaguely familiar, read her invitation to the event and then looked me up on the internet. (You can find more information that you will ever possibly be able to read if you explore my website at phillipmartin.com).
I thought that this woman might look familiar since I displayed my Christmas ornaments at the Hanby House last Christmas. No, she didn't attend that event. This woman was a former Peace Corps Volunteer who attended an art exhibition of my African portraits at the Ohio State University EIGHT YEARS AGO! I haven't had many exhibitions in my life. How she even heard of it in order to attend is a mystery to me. But, she remembered my portraits and said, "It doesn't look like the same artist could possibly draw the portraits you create and then illustrate these books." I had to agree with her. It does look like any artist who creates both of these crafts must have a split personality disorder. Well, let me complicate matters even further. Most of the eggs that I decorate as Christmas ornaments look like a third artist created them. What does this say about me? I don't think I want the answer to that question.
As I said, this woman looked up my books online. She asked, "Where are your coloring books?" In a basket next to my table, I had coloring books and paperback editions of my children's books. There just wasn't enough room on one table to display it all. I needed a second table.
Another woman, a greeter for the Hanby House, pulled her chair up to my table for the afternoon. When she wasn't entertained by tales of early Ohio history, she examined my books. And, she liked what she saw, which is always nice.
Between the Peace Corps Volunteer, the greeter, and the woman who was in charge of the Westerville Historical Society, there were three very connected women who liked my books. They also heard some of my stories. And, all three of them agreed that I should be a presence in Westerville schools and the Westerville Public Library. It's a very good thing when connected women feel this way. They promised to work their connections, connections which I woefully lack. So, I'm very thrilled about very connected women.
I'm not sure who was the fastest, but someone worked those connections over the weekend. My showing at the Hanby House was on Saturday. On Monday morning, I had contact from the Westerville Public Library. The person writing to me heard about the afternoon author exhibition, explored my website, and requested a few pdfs to see some of my work. It appears that there may be more firsts coming up on this artist/author adventure. Who know? Maybe at a library near you as well?
Word was sent out to several schools and organizations in the community to advertise the event. And, you never really know who or how many guests will show up for something like that. Some people spent a good amount of time talking to the authors, while others breezed on by to their own loss. One of my particularly favorite visitors was a young girl who said she was an artist. I had to ask, "Do you also draw on your math papers?" We bonded instantly over that. And, her mother testified that she had seen the decorated homework papers. I know, math teachers never like it when I ask children that question, but I believe that class helped to develop my drawing skills when I was in elementary school.
Another man should have had a table set up next to mine with his own book. Instead, he stood in front of my display for two and a half hours, telling one amazing story after another. I have my own supply of adventures and disasters from a lifetime of world travels. But, I rarely have ever heard anyone like this man. He shared his own adventures; as well as the story of his brother, a chaplain, who was killed in Vietnam; and a grandfather (with several greats in front of it) who explored the Ohio River in the early 1800s. Yes, sometime in the future, he needs to sit behind a sales table with his own book.
So, you may have guessed that I had a table to display my books. I have completed 19 children's books and am almost finished with number 20, a tale from Thailand called If It Is Truly Ours. It's enough books to very nicely fill up a table. Anyone looking for children's books should be able to find something that suits their needs in the colorful display. One woman, who looked vaguely familiar, read her invitation to the event and then looked me up on the internet. (You can find more information that you will ever possibly be able to read if you explore my website at phillipmartin.com).
I thought that this woman might look familiar since I displayed my Christmas ornaments at the Hanby House last Christmas. No, she didn't attend that event. This woman was a former Peace Corps Volunteer who attended an art exhibition of my African portraits at the Ohio State University EIGHT YEARS AGO! I haven't had many exhibitions in my life. How she even heard of it in order to attend is a mystery to me. But, she remembered my portraits and said, "It doesn't look like the same artist could possibly draw the portraits you create and then illustrate these books." I had to agree with her. It does look like any artist who creates both of these crafts must have a split personality disorder. Well, let me complicate matters even further. Most of the eggs that I decorate as Christmas ornaments look like a third artist created them. What does this say about me? I don't think I want the answer to that question.
As I said, this woman looked up my books online. She asked, "Where are your coloring books?" In a basket next to my table, I had coloring books and paperback editions of my children's books. There just wasn't enough room on one table to display it all. I needed a second table.
Another woman, a greeter for the Hanby House, pulled her chair up to my table for the afternoon. When she wasn't entertained by tales of early Ohio history, she examined my books. And, she liked what she saw, which is always nice.
Between the Peace Corps Volunteer, the greeter, and the woman who was in charge of the Westerville Historical Society, there were three very connected women who liked my books. They also heard some of my stories. And, all three of them agreed that I should be a presence in Westerville schools and the Westerville Public Library. It's a very good thing when connected women feel this way. They promised to work their connections, connections which I woefully lack. So, I'm very thrilled about very connected women.
I'm not sure who was the fastest, but someone worked those connections over the weekend. My showing at the Hanby House was on Saturday. On Monday morning, I had contact from the Westerville Public Library. The person writing to me heard about the afternoon author exhibition, explored my website, and requested a few pdfs to see some of my work. It appears that there may be more firsts coming up on this artist/author adventure. Who know? Maybe at a library near you as well?