Loon books still available

Hello everyone,

This morning I spotted two loons flying over my house heading towards Tacoma Lakes, I think they were letting me know to get my kayak out this weekend and meet them at the lake. I cannot not wait to be out at camp once again. Its been a long winter and I miss my time spent kayaking in the early mornings and watching the area loons interact with each other.

This year will make 4 years that I have spent photographing the loons at Tacoma Lakes region and 3 years since I first published my book "Loons of Tacoma Lakes " - A book celebrating the love of loons. www.animalsinpastels.com/loons-of-tacoma.html It has truly been a humbling experience to be allowed such an up close and personal look into their daily lives. And in the summer of 2008 I was able to capture the same breeding pair that I had photographed in my book with there newly hatched chicks and those photographs were amazing. For those of you who would like to view some of the new photographs captured since I first published my book click on this link www.animalsinpastels.com/gallery here you will find some wonderful photography of Tacoma's loons in Litchfield, Maine. And for those of you who would like to purchase a copy of my book, below is a list of the retailers who currently have a copy for sale.

Apple Valley Books - Winthrop, ME 207-377-3967
Gulf Of Maine Book Shop - Brunswick, Maine 207-729-5083
Books-N-Things - Norway, ME 207-743-7197
Country Cottage - Fort Kent, Me. 207-834-6791
Cry of Loons - South Casco, ME 207-655-5060
Loon Preservation Gift Shop - Moultonborough, NH 603-476-5666
Maine Goodies - Albion, ME 866-385-6238
Maine Made & More - Waterville,ME 207-872-7378
Maine Make & More - Augusta, ME 207-443-9338
Marlows - Kennebunk, ME 207-985-2931
Moosehead Traders - Greenville, ME 207-695-3806
Ecopelagicon Nature Store - Rangeley, ME 207-864-2771
Kennebunk Book Port - Kennebunkport, ME 207-967-3815
Owl & Turtle Book Shop - Camden, ME 207-236-4769
Reading Corner - Rockland, ME 207-596-6651
Stacy's Hallmark - Augusta, ME 207-623-3781

If you prefer to order direct from the author email me at LoonsofTacoma@aol.com
and I would be happy to ship you a signed copy. Take care, have fun and enjoy your summer.


Sandra Lee Huston

Art Show Schedule for 2009

Hello Everyone, Hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring weather.
I wanted to take a moment to list my Art Show schedule for 2009. I will once again be joining the Art Fair in Bethel, Maine and have decided to try the Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival this year. See below for more information.


20 Annual Bethel Art Fair
Date: Saturday, July 4 th 2009
Where: On the Bethel Common
One Broad Street
Bethel, ME 04217
Time: 9 am to 4 pm

In addition to the art, the fair will have musical entertainment and will include a special young persons' area where children will be able to take part in a variety of activities. Several local eateries will be serving their special fare for purchase. The fair is open to 50 artists and fine craftsman alike. Not only will you find original paintings and photography to choose from, but also sculpture, stain glass, woodcarving and fine handmade jewelry. Sorry no rain dates.


3rd Annual Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival

Date: August 15, 2009
Where: Maine Street
Brunswick, ME 04011
Time: 9 am to 5 pm

This is a juried art show to display fine arts and crafts in booths set up along the sidewalks up and down Maine Street in Brunswick. There will be original art work along with numbered reproductions and fine crafts available to purchase. Many outstanding local performers will be providing traditional musical entertainment along with street performers, dancers, mimes and jugglers. There are also many cafes and restaurants up and down Maine Street for your dining enjoyment.


Stop by if you are in the area and say hi. I will have many of my latest photographs on display framed and ready to hang and also a few new small gifts items like photo utility holders and magnets for the wildlife lover on your gift list. Take care and hope to see you this summer~

Sandra Lee Huston

Loon books still available

Hello Everyone,
I hope all of you enjoyed a nice thanksgiving holiday with family and friends as we did. Since I have had several messages on my answering machine as to where you can pick up a copy of my book I wanted to quickly type up a list and publish it online for your gift giving pleasure.
Below is a current list of bookstores that have copies available:

Gulf Of Maine Book Shop located in Brunswick, Maine 207-729-5083
Bath Book Shop located in Bath, Maine 207-443-9338
Maine Made and More located in Augusta, Maine 207-622-5723
Maine Made and More located in Waterville, Maine 207-872-7378

If you prefer to order direct from the author email me at LoonsofTacoma@aol.com and I would be happy to ship you a signed copy.

Have a wonderful Christmas holiday and a Happy New Year~
Sandra Lee Huston

Summer is Over and Fall is upon us.....

Hello Everyone!
Can you believe that summer is over and fall is just around the corner? I guess its time to get our warm clothes out and enjoy the crisp fall days. This summer kayaking and photographing the wildlife at Tacoma Lakes was a little frustrating with all the rain we had, but I was able to capture some stunning close ups of a loon family with their newly hatched chicks and a few great shots of a Bald Eagle. I just finished uploading all my new photographs captured in 2008. So for those of you who have been waiting to view my new photographs just visit my photo gallery at www.animalsinpastels.com/gallery you will even find a wonderful photograph of a doe and fawn captured while kayaking early one morning. As always you can order a number of different gift items from my photographs, just select the drop down menu on the add to cart or download the order form available and enter the items you would like to order. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me.

I also have a number of my Loons of Tacoma Lakes book available for those who are unable to find a copy at your nearest bookstores. Just email LoonsofTacoma@aol.com to order your signed copy from the author and I will be happy to mail you a copy. I decided to write this book in 2005 because I wanted to share the incredible experience I enjoyed when a special pair of Maine common loons allowed me to photograph them while they raised their chicks. If you would like more information about my book just click here www.animalsinpastels.com/loons-of-tacoma.html I continue to be blessed with the trust of the loons at Tacoma Lakes and I am truly amazed as they allow me to continue to capture up close and personal shots as they interact among themselves each summer. It is a very humbling and exciting experience and I truly enjoy sharing these wonderful moments through my photographs with all of you.

For those of you who will be visiting Maine during the month of October, stop by and visit my Art display at the Central Maine Medical Center Art Gallery on High Street in Lewiston, Maine. You will be able to view and purchase a number of my framed Scenes of New England photographs and view a small selection of my original pastel and charcoal artwork from September 26th to October 30, 2008.

For those of you who wish to contact me about commissioned pet portraits for the holidays please email me by October 15th. I have one opening available for the holiday. Email bornhorselover@aol.com Enjoy the beautiful fall weather everyone, until next time.

Sandra Lee Huston

Art Shows and Fairs for 2008

Happy Spring Everyone!

I wanted to quickly mention my list of art shows and fairs for those of you who like to plan your visits to Maine around the summer and fall. If by chance you are in the neighborhood stop by and say hi!

19 Annual Bethel Art Fair

Date: Saturday, July 5th 2008
Where: On the Bethel Common
One Broad Street
Bethel, ME 04217
Time: 9 am to 4pm

In addition to the art, the fair will have musical entertainment and will include a special young persons' area where children will be able to take part in a variety of activities. Several local eateries will be serving their special fare for purchase. The fair is open to 50 artists and fine craftsman alike. Not only will you find original paintings and photography to choose from, but also sculpture, stain glass, woodcarving and fine handmade jewelry. Sorry no rain dates.



CMMC Gallery

Date: Sept 26 through Oct. 31st, 2008
Where: Central Maine Medical Center
Lewiston, Maine 04240

The artwork of Sandra Lee Huston will be featured during the month of October by the Woman's Hospital Association of Central Maine Medical Center. The artwork on displayed will include Scenes of New England Photography also Pastel and Charcoal animal portraiture.

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For those of you who have not visited my website lately check out my new additions on my gift shop page www.animalsinpastels.com/giftshop.html here you will find new Canvas Gallery Wrap art work and Photo Wall Plaques to order easily from the comfort of your home and for those of you who love sunsets,don't miss the panoramic view of a sunset I captured over Mooselookmeguntic Lake in Oquossoc Maine last fall located at the bottom of my gift shop page. For the Draft Horse enthusiast visit my gallery of Draft Horse photographs captured at the Famous Fryeburg Fair www.animalsinpastels.com/gallery including the famous 8 horse hitch. So if you are unable to make any of my shows this year you can still enjoy viewing my new additions on line at my website. Enjoy~

Until next time, take care,

Sandra Lee Huston

Catching Up

Hello everyone,
A lot of changes have occurred this past summer and fall. My son was married in June for one and in October I accepted a full time position at Spillers working in their credit/collection department. http://www.spillersusa.com/. This is something my husband and I discussed at length and felt with the slow economy the way it is and with health insurance cost for individual coverage skyrocketing, it was best for me to go back to work and receive health benefits through my employer. At least now we will not have to face a monthly insurance rate of $600.00 a month, with an increase slated to go up to 728.00 by Jan 2008 for a $10,000.deductible policy for the both my husband and I.

What does this mean for my Animals in Pastels business and my clients? Mostly there will be a change in the amount of time that I will be accessible to the public during the day. You will still be able to reach me by email and leave messages by phone, and I will do my best to answer all inquiries after 4 pm in the afternoon Monday through Friday. As far as portrait commission I will have to limit the total to 6 per year and the turn around time will change from 2 weeks up to 4 to 8 weeks depending on my waiting lists. For those of you who are unfamiliar with my portrait work visit this link: http://www.animalsinpastels.com/pet-portriats.html

I will still be marketing my loon books to local bookstores, schools and any one who just wishes to buy one as a gift. Even though sales have dropped dramatically from last year my book is still very well received. For those who still wish to purchase a copy of "Loons of Tacoma Lakes" for the upcoming holiday just visit this link for more information http://animalsinpastels.com/loons-of-tacoma.html . You can easily place your order my mail or by emailing LoonsofTacoma@aol.com As a holiday special, through the month of December I will be waving the shipping cost for all single copies ordered.

My other big change came in September with my photography, I decided to go completely digital and replaced my Canon Rebel 2000 with a Canon Digital Rebel XTI and have been very please with my decision. No more waiting to have rolls of film developed and saving images in digital format. Now I just download my images and use my Paint Shop Pro image software to edit my photographs. In the spring I hope to add a new 500mm image stabilized lens to my equipment so that my wildlife shots will have even more detail. Even using my old 300mm lens I am able to capture some exceptional pictures with this Canon digital XTI. When you have a chance visit my online photography gallery at http://www.animalsinpastels.com/gallery/main.php Here you will be able to view and order a variety of my scenes of New England photographs as magnets, greeting cards and prints right from the comfort of your home. Over the winter months I will be uploading many new photographs including draft horses captured at the Fryeburg Fair, sunsets in Rangeley, Maine, flowers and of course my new loon photographs. So check back often to view all the new photographs I have captured.


On a sad note, in October we lost our beloved Choc lab, K-C to cancer. She was a very special dog and my husband and I miss her dearly. You do not really know how intertwined your lives become with your pets until you have lost them. Everywhere we go we are reminded of her. This past Sunday breakfast we looked at the leftover pancakes, and tears came to our eyes knowing we would not be sharing them with her again. I am even reminded of her when shopping for steak because she would always lick her lips in anticipation of having the leftovers. I am fortunate, though being an avid photographer I had taken many photographs of her throughout the 11 + years she was with us. And of course her pastel portrait that I painted 5 years ago hangs in our living room with her looking over us. That old saying is certainly true that dogs leave paw prints in our hearts. May you always have water to play in and squirrels to chase. Until we meet again my friend. K-C March 19, 1996 ~ October 26, 2007

Until next time, wishing everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful Christmas season.

Sandra Lee Huston

2007 List of Art/Fine Craft Shows, Photography Contests and Book Signings

The following is a list of the show dates and book signings I will be attending this year. If you are in the vicinity please drop by and say hi. I will update this listing as new dates and venues are added to my schedule throughout the year~

March 3, 2007 "The Arts of March"

Sponsored by the Kennebunk Land Trust

Saturday between 10 AM - 4 PM at the Kennebunk High School,

Art & Fine Craft Show celebrating Maine's beauty in many forms.

Over 70 artists and fine crafters will be attending. Located at the high

school gymnasium - 89 Fletcher St. Kennebunk, ME 04043

March 30 to April 1, 2007
State of Maine Sportsman's Show - Photography Contest

This 3 day event is located at the Augusta Civic Center in

Augusta, Maine. The sportsman show displays art work, photography

and wood carvings in categories depicting Wildlife, People in Outdoor

Activities, Landscapes, and macro (close-up) photography of flowers,

butterflies and insects. All art work and photography will be hanging

on walls on display and not in individual booths with the artists.

Winners will receive ribbons and trophies awarded by judges. Also a

"Sportsman's Choice" award will be voted on by the general public.

~

July 7, 2007

18th Annual Bethel Art Fair - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Located on the Bethel Common, One Broad Street, Bethel Maine 04217.This event is being held on the beautiful village common in the National Historic District of Bethel, Maine. In addition to the art, the fair will have musical entertainment and will include a special young persons' area where children will be able to take part in a variety of activities. Several local eateries will be serving their special fare for purchase as well. I will be located in booth #14 to the right of the Chamber info tent and raffle area. There will be a total of 50 artist booths set up for your enjoyment. Sorry no rain dates.

~

August 18, 2007 Winthrop, Maine 04364

Winthrop's 20th Annual Sidewalk Art Show - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Located on Main Street downtown Winthrop. Put on by the Winthrop Area Chamber of Commerce. This show is open to 84 artists, sculptors and photographs. There will be a general display of art work for the public to purchase. Art show purchase prizes to be purchased by participants for $350.00, also Art Show Judge's awards. Look for display maps set out for locating your favorite artists. Sorry no rain dates.

~