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August 30 & 31, 2014 - Portland, OR - Art in the Pearl

Opening the show in the Pearl District

Everything is "Green" in Portland - ready for the crowds

Loving this festive tent

Art in the Pearl is a volunteer run show - for artists by artists

This is Randy Sedlak, his wife Lynn Sedlak-Ford, is an artist but on the committee. I never caught her in the booth. Together they keep this show running.

Another artist on the committee is potter Natalie Warrens. I've seen her in Ann Arbor dressed to match her colorful pots. This time I was the one dressed to match the pots.

Great to see watercolor painter, Patrick Clark, formerly of Hutchinson, KS, but now a resident of the Northwest. We were both surprised to see each other.

and Lisa Burge of New Mexico who I last saw in Ann Arbor, MI

I'm used to attending shows where there are artists from a wide swath of the U.S., many states represented. Here I'd guess it was 80% Oregon, Washington, Idaho. A very regional show, that is not to denigrate the quality though.

AFI members Marty and Patty Hulsebos making the sale

A fine double booth -- on a platform! Talk about labor intensive for setting up.

Another nice double belonging to photographer Chris Dahlquist. Pristine setup.

Shelley Martin and her "minimal modern utilitarian ceramics". Such a clean and attractive display. Shelley says her main marketplace is on Etsy.

This shot is especially for jewelers, see all the different display levels. This was a very interesting to look at. I spent a long time here looking at the work, a wide range of price points. As a shopper do you see the appeal of this booth? The work is by Susan Frerichs.

Gia Whitlock gets extra points for dressing to match her mixed media work.

Amazingly beautiful enamel bowls from Jody Stone of El Cerrito, CA

Jewel-toned Glass bowls by Patty Roberts of Marysville, WA

Shoppers carrying out the goods (did anyone say "garbage bags?")

Show directors Liz Rundorff and Kerry Murphy of Artisphere in Greenville, SC, and Sara Shambarger of the Krasl Art Fair in St. Joseph, MI

Look at this! Just what we were recently preaching in our podcast on email marketing. Chicago photographer Xavier Nuez's email sign up notice.

Worth a post in itself -- doing all of it right.

Chicago, IL - June 14 & 15 - 65th Annual Old Town Art Fair - 250 Artists

This top-rated art fair is in the heart of arguably the best urban neighborhood in the country, built after the Chicago Fire, cheek by jowl beautifully restored homes and gardens, city living at its best. The show benefits the OTAF boys and girls club and is run by 750 volunteers. 60% of the exhibitors were reinvited from the previous year, making it tough to jury in.

One of my favorite booths, paintings by Jerry Brem. Nice work, very nice look (did you see that rug that repeats the colors in the paintings?)

Did you say serious buyers? I met this man in Carol Boucher's booth early on Saturday morning. He and his wife had a complete schema including measurements for the work they intended to purchase.

Beautiful glass by perennial award winner Tony Cray.

I took this photo of mixed media artist Lisa Norris' booth because I loved her panel covers (and then I saw the cool work), linen draped over the Armstrong panels and tied on with simple cotton ties. It really complemented her work which harkens back to dressmaking days with the pattern collages.

Who is one of the most famous collectors at the art fairs? Here he is, Don Kinder, with his crony woodworker Matthew Hatala. 

Sarah Kaufman, how tall IS that booth? The logistics of setting this up overwhelmed me.

Ted Gall (in the background) with the intriguing bronze sculptures has been at this show for nearly 40 years. His collectors showed up to lighten his load for the trip home.

Photographer Steven Daniel with his traveling companion, Jasper

I know Kristina Robinson isn't going to like this photo of her, but photographer Mikel Robinson carried off the Best of Photography prize. I believe it was his first time at this show.

Meet Sabrina Zhou, an AFI member, participating in her very first art fair. How does an artist end up at Old Town as a first fair? She said she reads everything on this site and used all the info you have shared. She also had a sterling assistant. 

It was great to see old friends and members of AFI: Steve Olszewski, David Curles, Carol Boucher, Beth Crowder, Anne London, Amos Amit, Andrew Shea, Doug and Renee Sigwarth, Mark Sudduth, Christine Bartling, Jack and Joe Forney, Frances Kite, Harry Roa, Jerry Scavezze, Linds Steinworth, Frank Strunk, Chris Bruno, Kina Crow, Chris Dahlquuist, Cherie Haney, Marjolyn van der Hart, Amy Flynn and Phil Crone, Dawn Adams, Kathy and Jim Eaton, Charlie Gatewood, Signe Grushovenko, Sarah Kaufman, Michael Bryant, Chris Coffey, Steven Daniel, Ray Hartl, Clif Henri, Cali Hobgood, Jerry Maschinot, Allan Teger, Daryl Thetford, Chia Haruta, Marina Terauds, Phil Thompson, Ted Gall, Jennifer Ivory, Matt Hatala and Jay McDougall.

Jennifer Ivory did a show review with more details that you can see here: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/review-of-the-old-town-art-show-held-last-weekend