One thing that creates a buzz along the Emerald Coast is South Walton and 30A celebrity sightings. Because of Andy's involvement in the art community, we've had the opportunity to meet a few of those celebrities. In January 2013, several songwriters came into town for the 30A Songwriters Festival. Mary Chapin Carpenter and Suzanne Vega both performed at Gulf Place. During their performances, Andy was set up next to the stage painting a backdrop. I was very excited! Carpenter's Come On Come On album and Vega's Solitude Standing album were the soundtrack for my early teen years. In fact, both of those albums got a lot of play time when Andy and I were still "just friends" and in our teen dating years. If someone had told me in 1993, "Hey, you know those songs you and Andy listen to while you drive around town? One day he'll be painting right next to those ladies as they perform those songs live!" I would've never believed them. And yet, twenty years later... Life is full of surprises, isn't it? I regret that neither of them returned home with a piece of Andy's art, but maybe next year.

Andy's completed 30A Songwriters Festival backdrop

The Sandestin Wine Festival is a big event held every April. This year, the guest of honor was Paula Deen. Yesterday, Andy and I were asked to drop in during the media brunch and present her with a custom piece of art. The piece pulls together our home (Western Lake on 30A, Walton County, etc) with her home (Savannah), and also includes some of her recipes. She seemed to like it, saying that she planned to hang it in her lake house. (Click here for more photos from the Sandestin Wine Festival.)

South Walton and 30A Celebrity Sightings