My First Art Fair Experience at Spring Fiesta in the Park – A Day to Remember

This past weekend, I enjoyed participating in my first arts and crafts fair—Spring Fiesta in the Park at beautiful Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida. What a vibrant, life-altering experience!  

Standing in the park with breezy trees, nesting swans, spring sunshine dancing on the lake’s surface, rows of white tents filled with creativity and charm—it felt surreal to see my artwork among the many talented artists. A hum of excitement filled the air, mingled with the soft rustle of dogs sniffing and the chatter of curious visitors. There was even a pet pig dutifully following its human.

I'll be honest—I was both nervous and excited. It’s one thing to create art in the quiet of your studio, and quite another to present it to the world. But I wasn’t alone. My incredible husband was beside me, helping with the early morning setup and encouraging me through the jitters. To my delight, our art group instructor from church drove in as well—his son lives in Orlando—so it turned into a mini reunion. And what made my heart swell the most was seeing my daughter and her husband travel from North Florida just to support me. Their presence reminded me that this journey, while personal, is not walked alone.

And yes—there were sales! I’m thrilled to share that half a dozen prints sold, and two of my original paintings found new homes:

🎨 Ballerina Girl – a piece close to my heart that explores grace in motion through the lens of Cubism.

🏡 Cabin by the Pond – a serene, nostalgic landscape evoking peace and reflection.

Giving God the honor, those purchases were life-altering and encouraged me to continue to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time artist in this season of my life.

Beyond the sales, what touched me most was the connection—meeting fellow artists, swapping stories and tips, and hearing how my work spoke to strangers walking by. Some stopped just to say, “Your work is beautiful.” Those words were a gift no money can buy.

This first fair was a time of growth, both professionally and personally. I learned so much about setup, presentation, engaging with visitors, and most of all, believing in my voice as an artist. 

I thank God for grace and favor after leaving my passion for art dormant for so many years.

To those who supported me in person and in spirit, thank you. This is just the beginning.

And of course there's something else... being a novice... I didn't properly secure all my paintings and Sun kissed Warrior in a gust of wind--tumbled onto a tripod and got damaged--a small tear above her left shoulder. So the next time you see her, she will look slightly different.

With love and brushstrokes...