Art Fair Insiders

Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals

John Leben
  • Male
  • Saugatuck, MI
  • United States
  • Digital
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John Leben's Discussions

Digital Printmaking

Started this discussion. Last reply by John Leben Apr 13. 9 Replies

Although the "Digital" category is gaining more widespread acceptance in the art world (and the art fair circuit), as a digital artist, I continue to battle misconceptions in the public eye. I…Continue

 

John Leben's Page

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John Leben received a gift from Connie Mettler
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2012 supporter

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5 hours ago
John Leben received a gift from Connie Mettler
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2012 supporter

2012 supporter

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6 hours ago
John Leben commented on Jacki Bilsborrow's blog post Art Prize
"Last year, there were something like 90 different venues. About 1400 artists. Difficult for anyone to see everything at ArtPrize. The venues are all over downtown Grand Rapids."
Apr 16
John Leben commented on Jacki Bilsborrow's blog post Art Prize
"The original concept was for Art Prize to be totally democratic. It was the responsibility of artists and venues to connect with each other. That way, venues could look for artists that they like. And artists could look for venues that have a space…"
Apr 16
John Leben commented on Jacki Bilsborrow's blog post Art Prize
"I've participated in ArtPrize for the last two years, and I plan to create a submission this year as well. I think it's a very unusual and exciting event that brings lots of people to Grand Rapids and generates a lot of discussion about…"
Apr 16
John Leben replied to John Leben's discussion Digital Printmaking
"Good for you, Barbara... As artists, we always find a way. Keep pushing that mouse around."
Apr 13
Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney replied to John Leben's discussion Digital Printmaking
"I began creating digital art when I lost the use of my thumbs for three consecutive years, having thumb joint replacement surgery. I discovered quickly that I could still push the mouse around and click. Because I can no longer hold a pencil, pen or…"
Apr 13
John Leben replied to John Leben's discussion Digital Printmaking
"The digital medium will not replace traditional painting. It is, just another tool for the artist. A one-of- a-kind original painting will have more intrinsic value than a digital painting because, as I see it, digital is, essentially, a printmaking…"
Apr 13
Sue Lukas replied to John Leben's discussion Digital Printmaking
"I'm seeing ads for college digital art programs. It will never replace painting and photography. It's another way to express yourself."
Apr 13
John Leben replied to John Leben's discussion Digital Printmaking
"Thanks for your comments, Barbara. I went to a high school student exhibition the other day in Holland, Michigan. I'd say about 30% of the entries were digital. And, art schools are seeing more and more students concentrating on digital…"
Apr 12
Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney replied to John Leben's discussion Digital Printmaking
"John, I also have been exhibiting digital art for some years now and I would agree that the level of acceptance has grown quickly. My work is a sort of collage, created not with filters, but with layer upon layer of images, patterns, textures and…"
Apr 12
John Leben commented on Greg Little's blog post Wholesale to Galleries
"List your products in Wholesale Crafts.com. They also do a catalog and a couple trade shows. You have to pay them to use their services, but lots of galleries and gift shops go there to find new artists."
Apr 6
John Leben commented on Greg Little's blog post Wholesale to Galleries
"I exhibit in three galleries (consignment), all of which have been positive experiences. Two take 50% and one takes 40%. I've found the biggest downside is inventory issues. To keep galleries stocked you have to create more work. Like an art…"
Apr 6
John Leben commented on Jim Sincock's blog post Glass or Acrylic in Frames?
"I use plexi for all my framed work. Yes, it scratches easily, which is an issue, but it would be hard for me to transport all my pictures from art fair to art fair with glass in the frames. For small stuff I use regular plexi, but for bigger pieces…"
Apr 6
John Leben replied to John Leben's discussion Digital Printmaking
"I have been exhibiting "digital" art for almost ten years. There is no doubt that the medium has been gaining widespread acceptance over those ten years. When I first started using the computer as my medium, I couldn't even get into a…"
Apr 6
Sue Lukas replied to John Leben's discussion Digital Printmaking
"The computer is a wonderful tool that aids my imagination in the creation of new images. Just like a painter or photographer, you have to learn how to use your equipment and develop the technical skills to realize your ideas. For instance at a show…"
Apr 6

Profile Information

Your Medium
Digital
Years in the Art Fair Business
Off and on for 30 years
First show ever
Old Burton Place art fair in the 60s. Now the wells street art fair.
What is your website?
http://Www.lebenart.com
What are the best things about art fairs
To be able to sell my art and make a living on my own terms.
Best show ever and why
Recently, 2009 DES Moinesa art fair. Why? Perhaps because people attending looked forward to it every year and attended with the intention of purchasing something, unlike cities like Chicago that have an art fair every week-end so none of them are considered a special event.
Worst show ever and why
I remember a show in Muskegon, Michigan a few years ago when I didn't sell anything.
Who referred you to ArtFairInsiders.com? Please be specific.
Connie

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John Leben's Blog

Final Tally: 7 Florida Art Fairs

Posted on April 2, 2012 at 9:49am 13 Comments

I've been blogging about the seven Florida art fairs I participated in during February and March as part of a winter circuit by this artist from the Midwest. My goal was to establish a market for my art in Florida so I could count on some sales and profits during the winter months in the future. Unfortunately I was not able to reach that goal. I did some math and the numbers show that the only thing I accomplished was a pretty good tan. I would have been better off staying home.

Booth…

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Low Sales at Downtown Naples Art Fair

Posted on March 26, 2012 at 11:35am 11 Comments

This was my 7th art fair in my winter Florida tour by this Midwest artist. After coming off a good showing at Winter Park, grossing $4700, I was encouraged. But sales did not materialize for me. I grossed $800 for this supposedly nationally ranked event. So, for my seven Florida art fairs, I had only one winner, Winter Park.

I had high hopes when I started this Florida tour, hoping to establish a market for my work so I could count on an annual tour of shows in Florida in the future. As it… Continue

Success (finally) at Winter Park

Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:03am 8 Comments

There have been a lot of blog posts singing the praises of the Winter Park Art Fair. I’ll add mine to the chorus. This is a great show! For me, its the best show in Florida. Of course, that’s not saying much when you look at my dismal sales for the first five shows in my Florida tour. I averaged around $1100 each for the first five (Artfest, Coconut Grove, Naples National, Las Olas and Bonita Springs). For Winter Park I grossed a little more than $4700. A good show for me.

This is a…

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Down Year Continues at Bonita Springs

Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:39am 19 Comments

Circumstances couldn't have been better for this 5th in my series of seven Florida art fairs. Booth numbers are not given out to artists until they check in on Friday, so I was surprised to see that I got booth number one, the first booth on the left when patrons enter the art fair at the main entrance. There was plenty of room to spread out in the back as well as the side with a side wall to boot. I was able to unhook my trailer and keep it there while I did a leisurely setup. I was no…

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Comment Wall (5 comments)

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At 4:23pm on June 02, 2012, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…
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Thank you for your generous support!
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At 3:04pm on June 02, 2012, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…
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Many thanks, John, for your continued support.
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At 4:34pm on June 07, 2011, Connie Mettler gave John Leben a gift…
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Many thanks for this support, John!
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At 7:15am on May 10, 2011, Nels Johnson said…
John on your post about 4 Bridges you mention it was your first time doing it, then you say you sold $2K-to$5K that is quite a range.  There is a big difference between a $2K show and a $5K show.  Which figure was more likely?  Just wondering.  Personally, I wouldnt travel all that way for $2K.
At 12:03pm on May 30, 2010, Connie Mettler said…
Welcome to ArtFairInsiders.com, John. I'm pleased to see you here and look forward to getting to know you.

When you have a chance, please add a photo to your profile and stop by the Discussions area to introduce yourself. We all look forward to your participation here. Also visit the "member map" and add your location. We have a lot to offer one another, experienced and newbie alike. Let's make this a dynamic site!

Best wishes,
Connie Mettler

p.s. The best way to make this system easy to use is to click on the "Follow-Email me" link at the bottom of each Forum discussion that interests you. That way the system will email you automatically whenever anyone responds. It's a great time-saver.
 
 
 

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