But, shows like that I am lucky if I get into one or two per year. Meanwhile I am still slugging it out doing three shows a month, year-round.
I am juggling all the time. For example, this August, I missed the deadline for Uptown Minneapolis, it is not a killer show but it sure helps in August when there are not a lot of biggies to get into.
So, I got Rochester Village, outside Detroit-Ann Arbor (who knows what from that), I am waiting on acceptance to Woodlands in Lexington, nice but not great. So it means I had to apply to the Guild show at Levis Commons, outside Toledo. Don't want to, but I gotta cover my ass. Then there is Festival of Msters in bumfuck Illinois, at end of the month. A loser.
We are always juggling, trying to string together something to pay the bills and hold us over til the next one.
So, I hope you get the picture.
I am not an elitist.
I speak for everyman, woman out there, crafter or artist.
I speak for all of us. I have been doing this 41 years. It is a way of life. I make a living--I get to play golf--I am happy.
I am your truest voice out there.
I walk all my shows and try and get honest output from my fellow exhibitors.
I tell it like it is.
I don't worry about getting blackballed.
Hell, I scorched Bayou City in 2014 and I still got in in 2015.
When I am gone, you are going to sorely miss me, because I am one of the few who tells it like it is.
Now, I will finally get that Texas Tequila Report out and then also tell you why the recent Melbourne Art show was a severe disappointment for most of us.
Yours truly, still slugging it out, also slugging down good red wine, and always looking for that perfect putt.
Nels.
Comments
The northern realm shows are still a mystery to me. I've only ventured as far as Kentucky (so far), and just back earlier today from a show in Sanford, near Orlando. 8-10 hours is my driving limit for the most part. We'll see.
For some reason I fear the Detroit area shows. I'd love some more opinion on those.
We always shot for the big ones, but seriously cultivated the B shows, and the under the radar events. Those are the ones that kept the cash flow coming in when a big one wasn't in sight, or a hard rejection came our way.
June used to be our biggest month, especially if we got Old Town, Milwaukee and Des Moines. Good luck on getting all those with any regularity. A good July would be Cherry Creek, run back home and go to Cleveland for Cain Park, AA and then gear up for that drive to Mpls.
Many, many years of paying one credit card with another, moving credit card balances to a new card, but we always took care of those basics and took good care of the van so that wasn't a surprising development. We used to head to Florida, nab one of the big shows and then fill in around it with Howard Alan Events and anything else, so we could do that cash flow and get out of the cold. If we came back with the bills paid we'd had a great vacation, met cool people at the shows and got to hang out with our friends. No golf, but leisure time, a real gift.
Have you looked recently at our site callsforartists.com? All kinds of interesting shows pop up there ...
Oh yeah, forgot to mention I think a new "possible" in June - East Side Art Show, in St. Clair Shores, with some big prize money ... maybe ... they are patterning it on Art Prize with exhibition opportunities too. If you're near, worth a try.
That Rochester Village show is in a great location ... hope it works for you.
Nels as usual you are right on. Those of us who know you know that you say it pretty much as it is. Also that show in bumfuck, Illinois has been a pretty good show for us over the years. not always good but not always bad. It is a well run show and the artist are treated with respect.They have a great lunch on setup day and a nice artist party on Saturday night.
Who's tougher 'n Nels? You're the man!!! Someday, I really hope our paths will cross and I have the opportunity to meet you in person. My wife and I typically stay pretty much in Colorado. However, we will be set up at the East Lansing festival in a couple of weeks. If you, or any AFIers happen to be there, please stop by our both and say "Hi."
Anybody that does this life for any amount of time totally understands what you are saying Nels. You are the voice of experience (and good places to go for a excellent after show drink to make it through..Ha)... and I for one really appreciate your honesty.
There is no such thing as being blackballed. In fact, I'm finding that telling it like it is has helped me get into some shows. There is only one show that I haven't gotten into since I wrote a review of that show. No big deal. There are 3 shows on any given weekend and even if it doesn't have a great reputation, it is possible to do well. I like the cash flow. This year, I've gotten into a lot of great events and couldn't apply to some shows that I would like to do since I ran out of money for app fees. I'm back in the plus column and there are still many good shows to apply for the fall and winter. I've picked up galleries who want an October delivery and I'm doing a one person show in November, so, I am pretty much booked for the year. I had to decline a show for the first time. I was going to make my triumphant return to Boston Mills after 12 years. I got into both Des Moines and Cherry Creek and had to cancel B. Mills. That won't happen again, so, I'll do B. Mills next year.