Marburger Farm Antique Show - Spring 2011

I remember as a child, feeling the excitement of Christmas long before I put out cookies and milk for Santa...

Christmas lights stretched across the city streets...

Christmas trees filling lots, waiting to be taken home...

Drooling at the toys in Sears' Christmas Catalogue

My favorite French antiques arrived into port today..

Heading to Marburger Farm Antique Show in 9 weeks.

To me, it is like the Christmas Catalogue arriving !

Opening Day is Tuesday, March 29

My dog paintings are the first to find homes...hope to see you early!

Tent C, Booth CD8

Treasures Found At Marburger Farm Antique Show

Driving home today from the Marburger Farm Antique Show, Round Top Texas and thinking about the treasures of the show.

Treasures to me are those special finds that give you joy, a smile...and make it a day to remember.

In my Marburger booth, the 1917, 4 foot long dog painting was the hit of my booth.

5 minutes after the show opened, a customer's smile said it would be her treasure to take home.

I had a hard time deciding to part with this French papier mache dog ....

I often found myself stroking his nose or playing with his original velvet collar with tiny bell.

I remember my smile in Paris when I discovered this pair of 18th century painted wall brackets
.....easing the pain of waking up before the sun.


This week at Marburger, treasures were everywhere.....the wonderful finds in all the dealers' booths AND the wonderful finds of friends...old and new.

Corey Amaro, Tongue in Cheek blogger http://www.willows95988.typepad.com/ was visiting Marburger this week....and brought Yann, known to us all as FH or French Husband.

I am still smiling as I remember her witty, animated stories during the past days.

And Yann deserves a medal for his many kind deeds for dealers during the show, a chest of medals! He even taught me to use Skype on my computer.

Plus the warmest hearts...when Corey heard a plumbing crisis had me searching for a new room (when every room is booked for miles and miles)....she, Yann, and her friend, Lynn (The Side Door Antiques) welcomed me, a stranger, into their rented house.

Treasures to me... special finds that give you joy, a smile...and make it a day to remember...new friends.

Love On Canvas, DOG PAINTINGS

Clients somehow spot my dog paintings, even when surounded by scores of others. Their faces light up as if they have found their new best friend.....which our dogs often become.
In April, during my Marburger Farm Antique show, one client discovered the 3 dog paintings I had purchased from a private collection ...when she heard the 3 paintings had always been together at their earlier home in France...she simply could not split up the family and took all 3 to her home!!

For more than 5000 years, artists have portrayed the image of the dog. During the 16th century more and more people wanted to be painted with their pet dogs. The first paintings solely of dogs started around the 16th century, taking off even more in the 17th century. By the 18th century, the importance of dogs to hunting, especially in France, added to the increased number of dog portraits.Artist have portrayed dogs as mythological beings, hunting companions, prized possesions, a symbol of fidelity, and one that greets us with eyes lit up, tails wagging, and never ending love.

My favorite quote....

"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi-human.

The point of it, is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog."

Edward Hoagland (known for his nature and travel writing)

I think that also explains the joy of being a grandma.

These little guys have all passed through my fingers....on the way to clients' homes.

I can see all of them licking my face!

Which one would you like to greet you at the door ??