RhondaK spent her weekend delivering custom signs, selling her artwork at events, and scouting potential locations for new sign commissions. She began her day delivering a sign for a pirate fundraising group and later set up her artwork at a street festival. Throughout the weekend, she visited various beach bars and restaurants along the Gulf coast to promote her business and look for new opportunities. Though it was an long weekend of work, she found potential new clients and sales venues for her hand-painted signs.

1. SPEND A WEEKEND WITH A TIKI BAR SIGN PAINTER Real life with RhondaK Native Florida Folk Artist – As in it isn’t as easy as it looks—but it is FUN as it looks

7. The Pirates INVADE the Bradenton Beach Moose Lodge It was here I found out that Sadie the Sales Pug does NOT like the sounds of canons. I delivered the booty ( AKA Custom Sign for Musky’s Eastside Pub) to some pirates and drove to Cortez, Florida.

8. Art At Star Fish Company Restaurant I went to Cortez to restock the Star Fish Company Restaurant. I love Cortez. It is one of the major players in the Florida seafood economy. I sell signs there, but other artists sell there too. This is a sign of mine you can read while you’re standing in line. Here are some websites to read further: http://www.starfishcompany.com http://www.fishpreserve.org http:// www.gulffishermen.org /

9. RhondaK hanging signs for sale at Star Fish Company Restaurant

10. Oil painter Chuck Miano Sells at Star Fish Company, too. His work is beautiful. He is one of many artists that has been inspired by Cortez, Florida.

11. Gulfport Florida Artwalk April 19, 2008-4:30pm

12. Gulfport Florida Artwalk April 19, 2008 These BOOTS were not made for working. I cannot tell you what made me wear them. I believe it was because I had to meet the pirates. I set up in front of Domain Home Accessories. Mike and his partner bought out HT Kanes and now own most of the corner. My work really didn’t sell at Domain ( NICE shop—NOT sea shabby chic. Beautiful chandeliers, metal art and more). BUT, I do have a chance to begin selling at his Beach Bar.

13. Gulfport Florida Artwalk April 19, 2008 Sadie the Sales Pug didn’t really make it strong the whole day. It was too much for her. But the artwalk at Gulfport is dog friendly so she gets loved up for 5 straight hours. She sits in her YAPPY HOUR chair with ice filling her cup holders. As you can see, she is sitting on her pillow. She just ate a Domain hamburger…and the final pic is her not being able to keep her eyes open. I probably won’t put her through this again til Fall.

15. Casey Key Fish Housr

16. Casey Key Fish House

17. Casey Key Fish House The Casey Key Fish House is an open air restaurant with a lot of quirk and style. Across the parking lot is a cabana that is the actual real bar. There are only two bar seats in the actual restaurant. It is by a one lane hand cranked open bridge so one can expect to get stuck in the parking lot. No bar signs in my style. An empty hut on the left may have the potential to be rented.

18. Images of ride through Casey Key to Nokomis

20. Pelican Alley Restaurant

21. Gulf Harbor Marina Racks for sale? These racks…not this sort of rack…

22. Pop’s Sunset Grill the only real beach bar in Sarasota County

23. Pop’s Sunset Grill Gift Shop…it needs some RHONDAK!

24. Pop’s Sunset Grill Signs

25. Pop’s Sunset Grill Signs