As just one more would-be art fair gypsy, my initiation took place just as the economic tailspin began. I like the whole idea of being involved in the fairs, i.e. the general public, other artists, the outdoor settings, the opportunity to see some really spectacular art, the opportunity to show off my own. There are other venues and opportunities. Please share.
Several of my friends have shared their bad experiences, such as galleries that close with art unpaid or just plain gone. My own experience was with a "promoter" that insisted on hanging my art herself and even though I provided her with frame corners and boxes, every frame was returned damaged and unsalable. I do digital and even with copyright protection, we have all heard of art being copied and stolen from websites.
What has worked for you? What steps do you take to protect yourself, how successful have those steps been?
From the public roaming art shows with cell phones or digital cameras to the low lifes trying to access your I.D. over the internet, the world is just as mean as ever. The birth of the internet along with our economic melt-down has certainly made it interesting.
Replies
1. Photos of our work, taken inside our display tents: compliments of our talents? Do we block the shots or step aside? Not everyone who takes photos in or of your booth is bad. Actually many are good and this is why. Many people are trying to get validation for wanting to buy something as they are undecided especially if it is for themselves or someone else. A lot of times, with technology, it is easier to show them a photo of a piece, send it to their husband or friend, and get an instant reply of no not interested or do they have it in green... Don't forget that technology isn't all bad. Also some people who take photos could be from the press, from the promoter to use the photos for future promotions, or just an average Joe wanting to show what they did that day on "vacation". All I am saying is keep an open mind. You can intervene and directly go up to the photographer and state your work is copywritten and would like to know the nature of their reason for photographing your work. If you suspect the person to "steal your work" they will be rather defensive, otherwise the rest will be honest and apologize or simply ask permission. With things so accessible via the internet and so on, correct protocal for taking photos is blurred. Sometimes artists are the only ones really willing to set them straight
2. Posting photos on the internet: not a threat to painters or sculpturers but definitely with photographers. What protection have you used and how effective has it been?
Have a watermark on your photos. There are photographer sites that explain how to do this in such a way a person can't delete the "watermark" and use your images. And this is a problem with painters and sculpture artists. 3. Gallery shows: the economy has taken its toll on many businesses. Has this been a problem for you? Good relationships and good contracts with gallery owners are a given. Have you had problems? How were they resolved?
I cannot speak for gallery shows or just galleries in general. I can say is research the galleries you want to do business with. Don't just go up to them say I have this work you want to exhibit it? Go to them, see what art and clientel they have. See how they do business with other artists - ask for references. Read the fine print of all documents they give you as well as ask questions. The good ones will work with you and hide nothing, others will tell you what you want to hear, but through good research and homework, you will be able to see the true picture. Just because the economy has affected folks, people are still buying, you just hear the negative aspects on the news more than the good news. The places that are succeeding are ever changing - keeping up with trends and offering trendy items, ADVERTISE, and have great customer service which keeps people coming back again and again. I would even ask gallery show/owners what makes people buy from you or why do people come back to you - in other words what do you offer that other galleries don't. You may find the answers quite fascinating.
Michelle
www.bythebaybotanicals.com
www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com
I do not do any galleries orwholesale. I perfer to sell directly to my customer and do not look to sell online. I don't depend on this for a living so I have to use my time wisely having a regular job.
I think someone said it great it is passion for what we do. We are creative people. Art shows I guess is a way to talk about our art to people who are interest about it. I especially love talking to other artist about what they do and learn a lot about other art forms that I know nothing about. It is great to hear another artist that may not do what you do tell you that they can see that you put a lot of effort in to what you are doing. It like getting your ego stroked for all the hard work. We may or may not be egotist but it is good to hear compliments. Customers like to hear stories about our work.
I have people take pictures of some new work that I do probably so they can incoporate it into their work somehow. Nothing is orginal anymore (almost)someone else has done something like it somewhere at sometime whether I have seen it or not. It may be a new designed that I have dreamed up for myself but that don't mean someone else isn't doing it.
If you are easily disappointed art show are not the way to go, I have had several times asked myself why do I put myself through this. I like being a gypsy and traveling on the weekend while all my home friends are just sitting at home doing very little with their life outside of the ordinary.
Tom
The people who have to be concerned about the cameras in their booth are people who have 3 D product that can be copied overseas--potters, sculptors, jewelers.
A few years back when a good friend was retiring with a really nice pension and excellent health care (better than the autoworkers she said) I was a little jealous. Well, she said, but you've been having fun all these years! She was right.
Barry Witt said:
The Art Festival Handbook by Marc Duke
Great info for a newbie or pro.
Marc has years of experience doing shows and making a living at it.
I worked for years past retirement age in commercial design & sales and truly liked what I did. Now that my time is my own, I am finding great joy in having the opportunity to catch the morning light as springtime comes to life or watch a sunset over a frozen wetland. Working on the computer means losing the tyranny of the hour, it can be up and running any time thus 4 a.m. comes too early and too often.
My reason for posting questions is not to state that we have no hope, but to explore ways to make this work for us. Our world is changing, but that is nothing new. We can continue as usual or look for ways to improve.
1. Photos of our work, taken inside our display tents: compliments of our talents? Do we block the shots or step aside?
2. Posting photos on the internet: not a threat to painters or sculpturers but definitely with photographers. What protection have you used and how effective has it been?
3. Gallery shows: the economy has taken its toll on many businesses. Has this been a problem for you? Good relationships and good contracts with gallery owners are a given. Have you had problems? How were they resolved?
My understanding of this website's reason for being is to share thoughts among artists. I found many good suggestions and referrals among the discussions listed. Am I just being negative to ask these questions? Are they not relevant?
You've given a lot of reasons not to do this. And with those reasons in the forefront, why are you considering this business?
I'll tell you why I do it. I love what I do for a living! It's that simple.
How many of us have friends who work 40 hours a week at a job they dislike or even hate, for a company who doesn't care about them? They are just another person out in the shop, or in cubicle 1411-A. They must get up early every morning and fight the traffic into town. And they must do it no matter what the weather. In the north, we must endure snowstorms on a regular basis, and that commute can be as long as 1 1/2 hours. Each way. For a crummy $700 a week!
How many must spend a good portion of their income for "work clothes". Nice outfits or suits just so they can adhere to the dress code of their business?
How many are on the fringe of getting a notice from their employer that the company's closing, and their jobs are going overseas?
How many are literally counting the days until retirement? And they're only 32 years old! They are waiting to retire so they can finally follow their dreams, only to die two years later. Wow, whatta life!
And here we are, following our dreams and passions right now! We get to pick and choose where we work! We get to choose who we do business with.
I wake up in the morning and my wife says "we got 23 inches of snow last night". And I look outside and see the absolute beauty in it, not the dread of having to drive to work in it. I go all of 68 feet to "work" in my shop.
To us, what we do isn't "work" either. Not when you love what you do.
Are we making a lot of money right now? No, not really. But we are intellegent, resourceful people. And we'll get through this. We always do. Because we know what to do.
So Pat, you are the only one who can decide if you want to do this. But you have to get past the negativity first. You're going to do shows where it's gonna rain, and you won't make much money. You're gonna deal with people who can dance a jig under the belly of a snake. You might see someone trying to rip off your work. But you'll meet some fantastic people along the way!
You'll make friends along the way who'll watch your back. You'll find out you aren't the only one in your situation. And as a group you solve the problems.
Beats working at a "real job" any day!
But you have to get past the negativity first.