So it was a slow day at the First Saturday Arts Market. We only sold a couple of prints... the director of the show confirmed that it was lees than the usual traffic and sales. But is was great weather and good live music and we had a ball. Sales would be nice but what the hell. I realized that's not why I am here. Why are we doing this then? Here's the top ten reasons why:
1.) I love to draw. That's why I do this. It's therapy It calms and invigorates me. I feel like I get better with each one I do.
2.) And what am I going to do with all those drawings? I love to share them with other people, other artists.
3.) After years of working trade show booths and networking I love to meet and talk to people.
4.) I love to people watch and art fairs are a great show. Sometimes I wonder what is on display... the art or those viewing it.
5.) Bev and I have, after all these years, found something we love to DO together other than just BEING together. Yeah indy movies and antiquing are fun but THIS is an adventure.
6.) We love off-beat road trips and always thought that would be a great retirement but we aren't campers, we aren't gonna roll in a Winnebago and we wondered how we could afford the hotels and travel. What the hell... now it's all tax deductible!
7.) People can spend a lot of money on their hobbies. They buy boats, buy expensive golf clubs and pay outrageous greens fees. Well this is our hobby and who knows... we might sell something and maybe even make a living at it... others do.
8.) For years I did commercial art for clients who would change or reject it with little or no knowledge or basis for their opinions. I swore I would someday do art for art's sake. And do exactly what I thought was right. See commercial art is all about money. You get paid for it so it can be used to manipulate other people to give your client their money. I ain't gonna do that any more.
9.) I am creating something unique and original. I take paper and pencil and give birth to something that didn't exist before and will never be done by anybody else quite the same way.
10.) See number 1.
That's why we're here.
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Comments
My art is woodworking and it has been my passion and enjoyment since I was a kid back in the 1960's. You have to do what you really enjoy in life or life will be yucky.
That is the right attitude! When you are enjoying the art fair experience, the patrons will stay in your booth a little longer and hopefully pick up on your positive vibrations. You'll learn a little more with each show, make friends with your fellow artists and learn from their experiences while you're paving your own way. I am a pencil artist too and I have very rarely sold original artwork. I do commissioned portraits. But once in awhile a piece sells and it is a thrill! I lost my corporate job in 2005 and my husband and mother encouraged me to try being a full time artist. Eight years later I'm still learning every day and at some point during each show, I feel like I'm still new at it. My husband and I dream about being able to travel the art fair circuit when our children are older and less likely to burn down our house while we're gone.
You can read about the beginning of my pencil art fair career here if you're interested so you can laugh at some of my mistakes, especially with my crappy displays... GOOD LUCK to you and keep your passion!!!
http://www.pencilenvy.blogspot.com/2012/04/cheerleading-tryouts-in-...
I went 'back out there' in 2006 after leaving the business in the early 90's to raise kids....I had a few other 'jobs' but the studio art was my passion. I had switched mediums: watercolors to oils and at some point my husband said to me: "when is some of this stuff going to live elsewhere?"
Well, I bought a cheap tent, applied to a few 'local' shows and the rest is history. You will figure it out if it is what you want to do. A few more shows, determine your market, create things that move you but also are 'sellable'. Enjoy the ride.