I am in the process of getting things together to see whether or not anyone is interested in purchasing my art through art fairs. I have most things purchased but am looking at the issue of lights. I am looking for a solution that will not break my bank. If things work well then I can always upgrade at some point in the future, but for now I am looking for something affordable.
It seems to me that a reasonable solution would be to use a power source that can be recharged overnight, and LED lamps like I see at http://amzn.to/1Uc16Di. I do not want to get a gas generator that will be loud and obnoxious to everyone.
I have seen some old conversations that involve this solution but they appear to be rather pricey.
Is anyone doing this currently in an affordable way? Does this approach make sense?
Thanks -
george
Replies
I just curious about your need for this battery setup.
Of the shows you'll be doing, how many will be outdoors at night? If you do indoors shows it's always wise to pay for the electricity and really light up your booth. A good promoter will always have electricity available, and if it's extra, I always pay for it. I'm doing some flower and garden shows shortly and the Hartford Convention Center wants $80, and I wrote the check gladly.
I have rarely seen any photographer or 2D artist use lights at an outdoor show during daytime, because the daylight does the job quite well.
I use my power station to run my cash register, my phone charger and a fan when it gets hot out. It lasts for a 3 day show if I don't use the fan.
It just seems to me that although I will probably be outside during the day that proper lighting on my prints would be very helpful to someone looking at my work. I work with the Bromoil process so my prints are pointillistic in a not very obvious way, so it is kind of important that the viewer be able to see exactly what my work is all about.
If I can get a working system that will power lights for a few hundred dollars then that should pay for itself after a handful of shows.
I've seen lights used frequently in Florida and Southeast USA shows during daytime. Lights can really make a difference in daylight hours. Sometimes it isn't much difference during full sun, but when you get in the shade it'll really brighten the booth. The use of lights has increased over the years.
I'm an oddball at shows when using lights since I use individual picture lights on each individual small & medium size framework. I don't use a track or elbow system. I physically attach a light to every frame. Takes a while and I have a lot of wires to secure, but it's worth it.
Fwiw, George and others -- I have a large stock of light bulbs of all kinds and some lighting systems from our art fair days. Ready to sell at a greatly discounted price. I do know we have a light bar that is 10 feet long to fit our Armstrong display (drops into the end pieces) that he spent around $1200 for. LEDs, halos, etc. If anyone has any specific requests I can check our stock. There is some kind of inverter too.
For me affordability is the current issue and I am hoping to get away with $300 or so for power and six lights. If I am able to sell some of my art at these fairs then I will have the confidence to shell out for something nice.
Cheers -
george
I went to Home Depot and bought a portable power station for about $100. It recharges overnight and lasts the whole day.
Thanks for the reply. Is this what you got?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-500-Watt-Portable-Power-Sta...
Cheers -
george
Yes. Mine is a Stanley, but it's the exact same thing only with a different brand.
Chris,
Is the portable power station in lieu of marine battery, invertor and the likes to run lights at a show?
Yes. It is those things all wrapped up in a neat package.