I swore I would never paint a rooster.  I'm not sure why but I guess I thought it was just too "kitschy".  But I kept getting requests for rooster trivets...its still a big kitchen motif I guess. And I was recently at a Yoga Retreat in Myakka, Florida when a Light Brown Leghorn Rooster crossed my path.... he was strolling through the weeds in the neighbor's back yard!  It was a sign that I should paint a rooster I guess.  So I took some pics and realized that this is one beautiful bird! Or chicken. Or whatever. So I decided to paint a rooster after all.  I'm printing some up now on trivets, placemats and coasters!

I guess I'm a legitimate Snowbird now.  Its the 3rd winter I've loaded up the truck and headed south along with other craftsmen to sell our wares in Florida. And this year I'm doing the gypsy thing...town to town...show to show.

It was clearly time to head out after Christmas as things got chilly in Rangeley. I don't need to remind anyone that nothing has changed and all I've heard for two months down here is: "Bet you're glad you are not back in Maine!  Or anywhere in the Northeast for that matter! Well, yes, I miss my snowy camp in Maine but I'm glad to be here... for another day in paradise!

The drive down was easy with only a few flurries along the way.  And after a quick stop with relatives in Georgia I was on to the first show in "The Villages", packed with over 100K folks enjoying the "good life".  I brought a lot of Florida themed product like Great Blue Herons and Tropical Fish and had a great first show.

I headed on to Dunedin, FL.  Dunedin is a wonderful "old world" Florida town in the Tampa Bay area.  It is home to Honeymoon Island, the Pinellis Bike Trail, wonderful restaurants and a vibrant art community.  I love Dunedin and it felt like I was coming home when I settled in to my B&B in town.  While I was in Dunedin I did craft shows in St. Pete Beach and Tarpon Springs and got out to Honeymoon Island to see the Ospreys and Armadillas!

Then it was on to Venice.  During this time I stayed with friends in Venice and The Rotunda and was honored that my Dragonfly Table Saver was featured in the Venice Craft Festival show promotion!

Siesta Key and Sarasota at the Phillipi Estate were next up and I found a fabulous Yoga Retreat in Myakka to use as a home base for these shows and had a great time photographing birds in the Myakka River State Park.

From Myakka it was back to Dunedin for a great show in town, another trip out to the Villages, a little golf, & more birding.

I'm ready now to settle in and do some painting while here in Mount Dora.  Just got settled into a nice cottage and am ready to get to work.  I can't wait to start some new paintings of owls, herons and hummingbirds!