Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us when we least expect it, and sometimes those curveballs come in the form of unwelcome surprises. This was my experience at the most recent U District Street Fair, an event I had been eagerly anticipating for months. What started as a frustrating and disheartening setback quickly transformed into a unique opportunity to blend creativity with resilience.
The Unfortunate Incident
Since the fair was a 2 day event we decided to leave our tent set up overnight with most of our display inside so that we can arrive later on the second day and not have to set up again. We made sure to put our tent walls up and take home any valuable items. Many vendors had their tents set up like this so we thought we would be in the clear with having it up overnight. However, when we arrived on the second day we found our tent vandalized and graffitied overnight.
The sight was gut-wrenching. My previously pristine white tent was now marred by senseless graffiti. A few vendors in my area were also hit with the same grafitti and some of the surrounding buildings as well. I felt frustrated because the grafitti took up most of my back wall and we tried to clean it with hand sanitizer and water but it didn't work. As I stood there, staring at the defaced tent, an idea began to form.

Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected
Instead of letting the vandalism ruin my weekend, I decided to turn this misfortune into an opportunity for creativity. I decided in that moment that if my tent was going to stand out, it would do so on my terms, reflecting my art and my spirit.
Since we still had day 2 of the street fair we decided to replace the back tent wall with another wall and moved on with the rest of our day. I tried to push down any emotions from that incident and braved a smile for my customers. Thankfully day 2 was so successful that it made me forget my frustrations.
When I got home from the event I took my tent walls out and cleaned them. It was raining on Saturday so some of my tent walls had collected lots of dirt. I washed my grafittied tent wall and let it hang to dry. Then I grabbed all of my painting supplies for this epic project. I've never painted anything bigger than a 22x30 in watercolor canvas so painting a 10 ft tent wall felt astronomical. I made sure to use outdoor acrylic paint that was water-resistant and UV resistant so it wouldn't be affected by rain or sun when I use it for outdoor markets.
I had an idea of painting a landscape mural inspired by one of my most popular artwork- Shadow & Splendor: Mt. Rainier and Lupines. I started by painting over the graffiti, quickly realizing how big of a canvas this tent wall was! I painted a vibrant landscape of Mt. Rainier with lupines and sunflowers.
Embracing the New
By the end of the painting, my tent wall was no longer plain; it had become a statement piece, a symbol of turning adversity into art. You can barely see the grafitti underneath the layers of paint and bright colors. After I finished painting my tent mural I couldn't help but feel hopeful and grateful. Even though the grafitti was unwelcomed it definitely sparked a creative energy that I didn't know I had inside me. Instead of dwelling on my misfortune I got right to work and used this oportunity to demonstrate my artistry and resilience. Now I have a tent mural that I'm super proud of and I can't wait to display at my summer markets.
Looking Forward
This experience at the U District Street Fair has left a mark on Modern Meliora. My tent mural is now a cherished part of my setup for future outdoor markets, serving as a reminder of the resilience and creativity that define my journey as an artist. It’s a testament to finding beauty in unexpected places and embracing the opportunities hidden within challenges.
Thank you to everyone who visited, supported, and encouraged me during the fair. Your kindness and enthusiasm made this experience truly unforgettable. I look forward to seeing you all at future events, where my tent and I will continue to celebrate the vibrant spirit of art and community.
Stay colorful and keep embracing the unexpected!
Truc-Quan
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