The summer months are the perfect time to check out local
garage sales, flea markets, and secondhand shops for those unique,
economical, must-have painting surfaces. If you are looking to spruce up
your décor or searching for pieces to paint and sell, you’ll be amazed at what you can
readily find in your own neighborhood. Be sure to read Maria Grimanis’ article, “In Search of Surfaces,” for hints and suggestions on types of items to paint and where to find them.

Summer is also a time when many communities have special weekend festivals during which one can purchase booth space to sell their wares. What a great way to supplement your income, and if you are a painting teacher, what a wonderful way to promote your classes! If you have never set up a booth or if you have never had real “luck” in your attempt, read Nony and Gisele’s “Brush up on Business” article on page 86 to see how you can make your booth stand out and, therefore, draw more traffic. They also discuss how to boost your sales by offering special services to your customers.

Whether you are painting for personal use or painting to sell, we believe you will be inspired by the projects in this issue. Most of the surfaces are readily available (terra cotta, wood planks, canvas, and more), and the patterns can be easily adapted to a host of items you might already have on hand.

Make a promise to yourself to set aside time to create ... not only will it brighten your surroundings, it will also lift your spirits and lighten your heart.

Happy painting!
Linda R. Heller, Editor in Chief

For a complete listing of what's inside this issue,
see the current issue page.