Robert Wallis

Your Medium photography

About
Activity Feed

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Your Medium

photography

Years in the Art Fair Business

First show ever

Talbott Street Art fair

What is your website?

https://www.eclecticimages.net

What are the best things about art fairs

meeting the customers and knowing where the work is going

Best show ever and why

4th Street in Bloomington, IN, An art concious crowd

Worst show ever and why

Metro Arts Two Rivers Expo in DesMoines , Iowa, in 2008. Drove about 800 miles to get there, horrible load in (really, really horrible), I was back in the rear of the place with a big sign that said "Children's Section" so what few people did come to the show didn't go back there. I sold the lowest amount I had in 20+ years, almost skunked, and lost about $1000 doing the show. The a little over a week after I get back I have a major heart attack probably brought on by the strenuous load in process. Small wonder I have litle warmth for that show. Then I get a letter the following year reminding me the deadline was approaching, so I sent an email declining. I get another one back asking if I would reconsider and what was wrong. So I told them. Never heard back from them ;-)

Number two on the list; This year's Hopkins Art Festival in Minnesota. Sold even less then Des Moines, but only lost $800 this time, so I guess that means the economy is getting better.

Who referred you to ArtFairInsiders.com? Please be specific.

Lee Hill

What is one fun fact about yourself?

The adult interest school where I was teaching in the early 80's had long ran my beginning and portrait classes. Students kept on asking for a figure photography class. I assumed since the classes were generally held in rented spaces in churches for the most part that was not going to fly. I mentioned it to the school registrar, and he said try it anyhow. I wrote up a syllabus for the church board of trustees, outlined the sequence of the 6-week course (six meetings), stressing the fine art aspect of it using the appropriate language, and it was approved by a main stream denomination church. So for several years I taught a nude photography class in a church.

Robert Wallis replied to Deb Potis's discussion Three Rivers Art in the Park

"It's been quite a few years since I did that show, and my results were not good at all. Like you, I'm a photographer, but you might stand a chance with your florals. I found the crowds to be conservative and at the low end. I see you're in Florida,…"

Robert Wallis replied to Gracelynn Tamrak's discussion What would be the factors for consideration whether to return to the same event a year later?

"I can put up with crappy logistics as long as the sales are high enough. I did a new show for me, starting three years ago in Peoria. Easy set up, great organizers, close by parking. The first year was the Unicorn Year coming off Covid. Sales were…"

Robert Wallis replied to Andy Goodwin's discussion Metal Print Supplier

"For smaller Chromaluxe metal prints, I use Denny Mfg, their photonovelty.com printing division. Denny Mfg has been in business since the 1940's making commercial photo studio props and backdrops, and banners. A partial price list is;
8x10--$19.25…"

Robert Wallis replied to Lynn Pommerening's discussion Juried Art Shows ......I didn't make the cut

"I don't want to squash any hopes here, so keep in mind that your work can and should improve. I went to your website and looked at what was on there. Your work is nice but isn't going to score high enough to get into high level shows at this time. I…"

Robert Wallis replied to Christopher Myers's discussion SOLD! art fair booth for sale

"Nope, false statement. I've used both Trimlines and EZ-Up. The EZ-Up is over 20 years old and has gone through three Hundred Year storms with no damage, as well as many other heavy wind situations. All it takes is using Sta-bars snugged up to the…"

Robert Wallis replied to Rebecca Dodson's discussion St Louis Mock Jury

"Don't let the pickiness get under your skin. I set my booth up on asphalt and then use photoshop to get rid of the leaf and dirt clutter, and clone out any cracks in the pavement. You need three artists statements, one each for 100, 200, and 300…"

Robert Wallis replied to Kristen Nazzaro's discussion How to keep Flourish softwall tight?

"Use upper and lower stabars. I see too many people using lower stabars only and tying the upper straps into the pop-up tent struts. There is too much flexing on the struts to pull everything taut and keep it taut. Metal prints are very lightweight…"

Robert Wallis replied to Merideth Bray Carballal's discussion Requesting Booth Lighting Suggestions

"Use LED lights. A 14 watt LED light is equivalent to a 100 watt conventional light. I use LED work lights that the handles and feet have been removed, and zip tie them with the remaining bracket into the ceiling of the tent. If you use a pop-up tent…"

Robert Wallis replied to Tali Lopez's discussion Booth lighting..?

"I use PowerSmith work lights, 1400 Lumens, 5000K color temp (daylight), with the handle and H foot removed. They strap to the ceiling struts or a center pole in a Trimline. They cost about $25 when I bought them and the price is now up to $43.49…"

Robert Wallis replied to Anne Knife's discussion Fine art paper vs. a photographic luster paper

"Just to give you a pricing reference, here is my matted print price list. I print on Inkpress heavy weight glossy for the visual punch. I used matte surface for years but public preference moved away from that, so It's all been high sheen glossy for…"

Robert Wallis replied to Veronica Cabrera's discussion Where in your booth do you package your art when it sells?

"Go for the door frame in the back. It gives you a place to stand or sit, out of the way and less pressuring on the customers, plus it give you easy access to back stock and a place to wrap up purchases. Most shows do give space in the back, even…"

Robert Wallis commented on Meg Mettler's blog post Connie Mettler Retires - Congratulations!

"Thanks for all the things you've done. You have no idea how much we appreciate all the things you've done for us out here :-)So thank you again!"

Robert Wallis replied to Jon Hedin's discussion Converting pro-panels

"If the center of the trailer has 6'6" clearance, then go for it. I had the standard 7' panels and bought 5 of the 6' panels from another artist, and converted all 5 with the adjustable leg kits from Propanels. It's a piece of cake, just follow…"

Robert Wallis replied to Jon Hedin's discussion Converting pro-panels

"The carpetted section is 6' tall. The top stubs add a few more inches, and you'll still have length below the carpet to add another couple of inches. It's not going to work. The issue with towing a trailer is not the length but what the towing…"

Robert Wallis replied to Sonja Jones's discussion Anyone have experience with the Toledo Fine Arts Fair?

"I was told by a local artist when I did the Crosby Gardens show in 2021 that it was a dog and too new."

Robert Wallis commented on Richard L. Sherer's blog post Cabondale Mountain Fair 2022, CO Review

"Nice review!"

More…

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Comments

Connie Mettler July 3, 2017 at 11:38am

Thank you, Robert, for this support of our website. I hope it is helpful to you and you flourish in the business.
Connie Mettler May 11, 2016 at 12:11am

Congrats on being awarded the Post of the Week - 5/8/2016
Connie Mettler April 19, 2016 at 10:52pm

Congrats on being awarded the Post of the Week - 4/19/2016
Pat Falk March 29, 2016 at 8:37am

Thanks for the tip. Is there a better location for driving to your booth? I don't want to dolly.
Connie Mettler September 15, 2015 at 10:28pm

Congrats on being awarded the Post of the Week - 9/14/2015
Connie Mettler July 11, 2015 at 1:10pm

Thanks so much, Robert, for your continued support and for all your helpful advice. Many of us appreciate it and you make a difference here.
Robin Chard June 8, 2015 at 11:58am

It was great to meet you and your wife this weekend. We do a lot of the same shows but you know how hard it is to get away from your Booth! Anyway good luck with re-thinking your line of photos. I wish I had a formula but I am always surprised at what the public thinks is art. I will look for you in the future (fair warning!) also here is the link to the church show http://woodlandchristianlex.org/Arts_Festival.htm I've never done it before but have had friends who have. Less traffic but well who knows, I'll try it once. But next year - Woodland! (ta da!)
Connie Mettler February 9, 2015 at 9:34pm

You're a star, Robert. Many thanks for all of the helpful information and useful tips you've contributed to AFI. You are an important member here and I appreciate all you do.
Connie Mettler January 8, 2015 at 3:35pm

Happy new year, Robert. Thanks for playing Secret Santa with us again this year. Hope the new year bring you many blessings.
Connie Mettler June 11, 2014 at 9:52pm

Many thanks for your pledge, Robert. I really appreciate the support from you and so many others that keep our website alive and well and bringing you all the news from art fair land.