I am still really a puppy to all of this - November 8 marks my one year of showing. I do the art shows, I do the arts and crafts shows... I do it all to try to really figure out my niche. With the fine art shows pretty much over for the season, I am embarking on the crafting circuit (this is a pretty special circuit... I never realized the seedy underbelly of the crafting circuit until I stood toe to toe with it. - another blog post, I am certain)
My question is this.... While I am fine art reproductionist (on furniture and cigar boxes and, well, guitars) I am feeling a little pressure to have a few "holiday" specific pieces for upcoming shows, more to ensure a sale rather than anything else. At these arts and crafts shows I am competing for attention with so many holiday geared vendors. Granted, I am keeping the cigar boxes to the holiday stuff, and the larger more unique pieces to the fine art repros... but have I jumped the shark here? Have I succumbed to mass appeal, rather than to my own convictions? Simply because I want to ensure booth space to me made? Ugh...
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On Craft Shows....There are "top of the tier' Craft Shows, and then there are your local school/VFW/Church Craft shows. Here in Maine, we have MANY Craft shows, and I have spent ten years finding the ones that work for me. Even in the "small Local" category- there are shows that are "Artisan and handmade only", and those that allow buy/sell and the AVON/PURSE/and whichever is the current jewelry fad VENDORS. As my jewelry is crafted by me in my studio, I stick to the handmade only shows. Most of these craft shows I do have been long standing community events. The only exceptions I make are for my Festivals and Agricultural shows... weekend and week long events that I do because they are a good option for me. It's all trial and error the first few years, as you learn the ins and outs, ups and downs, streamline your set ups, and find what works for you. Just make sure you ask the organizers specific questions about attendance, any rules & regs, availability of WIFI and electric, etc. Don't take ANYTHING for granted with Craft fairs....depending on the location, Fire and safety codes vary... GREATLY!!!
That being said, if you are proactive about doing the craft show circuit, it may be a good fit. And addressing the dumbing it down...if you feel you need to compete with the holiday venders, pick an artisan you admire that did some holiday art, and utilize that. If you are uncomfortable with doing that, then don't. I do jewelry, and the holidays are my fave time of year, so I do create a few holiday designs, that my customers love, but I don't stock ONLY holiday jewelry in my booth- EVER! a few earrings, or bracelets, but nothing so blatently HOLIDAY that it cannot be worn the rest of the year. ( Not to mention...I collect holiday ornaments...vintage and new, and ANYTHING with Cardinals on it, so my home looks like Christmas all year. Just no wreath or tree!) Best advise do what makes you comfortable, do your research when looking for Craft events to do, and be yourself!
A working artist needs revenue to keep working. But its is a choice -- not an obligation. If you can reconcile developing work at lower price points to make money, then you should. If it's a compromise and doesn't feel right, don't do it!
Good job, everyone for sorting this out. Don't feel apologetic, Monica, we get it. Sending people to your FB page to see what you do is a good idea, also what about posting an image here of your work.
I like the early replies. Look at the holiday shows as a way of expanding your work -- heaven knows there is a lot of classical imagery that could lend it to the holidays. We're all learning at every show how to make this work. Sounds like you've found a good niche and the Christmas collectors flock to these shows to add to their seasonal collections.
We're glad to have you join us and this is a good discussion.
Thanks, Stephen - well put. You saved me having to write a post myself.
for what its worth I was not directing any hostility toward you only implying that making a lower price piece of art for holiday season is not dumbing it down and that I think your buyers may appreciate both your more expensive work as well as your less expensive offering. I also don't think Ruth was talking about your work with the masters at all and I certainly didn't see anything in her post that implied something negative about your merit as an artist. You said you selected current artist on occasion and got slapped with C&D letters. I think she was reacting to what you have said you already learned about not copying work of other artist that is protected. Artist are very protective of their work and it is a sensitive subject. Personally if I were you I'd leave that part out of post if your sensitive about it as well. All and all I have found everyone here very supportive of other artist. There are many artist here that work local shows, arts and crafts shows and fine art shows. Not aware of a seedy underbelly to arts and crafts shows so I will look for the future post you mentioned on the subject :-)
Seriously though there are a lot of very nice and helpful artist here and I don't think anyone wants you to make apologies for your work and I think you will find they will rush to offer help any time you ask.
Ruth - I do reproductions of the masters. I had done some modern artists and already have dealt with the cease and desist, and paid the royalties - I didn't know - The artists I do reproductions and reimaginations of are dead. How may repros of Van Gogh's Starry night have you seen? I have never ever denied that I was a reproductionist. Even in my applications to shows.. I state that I am a fine art reproductionist. I always have a twist, an unexpected element.
Am I less of an artist to introduce the masters to a new generation in my own reimagination? Or do you see me as a thief to take masterful works, that my community might not ever have seen, on a piece of throw away furniture to a show... and all of a sudden, its a piece of functional art and a history lesson - because I ensure I know all the details of the piece I reproduced. Have I copied? or have I chosen to be a teacher?
When is the last time any of you have given a 100 year history on a piece of art you have captured. I have chosen to keep the masters alive, in a functional space. I make no apologies, and have never claimed the inspiration to me by own. I asked a pretty simple question.
I am sorry something got lost in translation, and that I have had to justify what I do, my heart is heavy. A year into this, I still navigate. I still try to find me. I asked a simple question. I have never compromised my integrity as a reproductionist. I have embraced Joan Miro, Picasso, Van Gogh and so many others. They looked at the world so innocently, with such promise. Art today is filled with anger, tension, stress. George Seurat's Sunday Afternoon in the Park is filled with such innocence and normalcy for that time.. why not reproduce and capture it?
Why is it wrong to bring these amazing pieces to life for the current world? Am I less of an artist for doing do? And if I am.... don't respond. I am a reproductionist. And I make no apologies. '
I have to agree with Stepehen White that art is art. Going into a show with a wide range of price points is common sense for greater sales IMO. My leather goods range from simple sets of napkin rings at $20 to over $5K for saddles. If a little kid wants to buy one napkin ring as a slide for his scout neckerchief, it's $5 in the bank. I am at shows to sell my work, period. You can read my reviews to see if this works.
not sure I understand the 'dumb it down' part. Even the most serious buyers buy a wide range of art. They might buy for thousands for one purpose and then buy for a hundred for another. Art is art and there is an appreciation for all kinds and ranges by the vast majority of buyers.
If you are saying that you reproduce the work of other artists without their permission, then you have already compromised your integrity.
You are the only one who can answer that truthfully, Monica...what is your gut feeling? Go with that.
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