Blog

Two blogs for the price of one.

It's been a while for me. I was a full time part timer for a while, up to 24 shows in a year back in 07/08 while running a demanding business back in Chicago. I was working toward retirement and this is what I wanted to do. I had a camera or two, and somehow managed to communicate what I felt, what I saw using the wonderful medium of photography.Whatever I did, it worked. People liked my expressions and I managed entry into some top shows in the country. Then the double whammy of the enconomy taking a dump, and a nasty back injury put my show career on hold while I dealt with what had to be dealt with. We all have our stories, none of us look for sympathy. Just a story.

I learned the ropes from some of the best out there,learned how to market, how to keep things in perspective. How to help out people that needed a hand.Made more than a few friendships that still pay divedends. I knew how to sell, that was the easy part.Selling became more important than expression.More important that what was my art. So in addition to the other issues. Burnout. I stepped back, and for a while, didn't miss a thing. I traveled, did some fun stuff.People portraiture and the like. But I still wondered if I really missed it.

I did one show last year in Crested.Special place, a special show.I did write it up a bit if you care to look backwards. It hurt like hell to do it,the physical exertion about did me in. So I worked on the damn back a bit, between legal and some maybe not so legal in somes states therapy I managed a grip on the pain. This year I received an invite to do Jim Delutes first year show in Littleton, a one day, pay at the gate Affordable Arts Show.

It was a crap shoot. But I have known Jim for a bit, and while some promoters receive justifiable criticism for half assed efforts Jim takes no prisoners in his efforts to organize and promote an event. I said OK. I need to see if a show could still be the fun event I remembered.

The concept is basic, time honored.Starving Artists, and it doesn't work for everyone. Photographers, jewelers,potters, glass people all manage to produce work that can sell profitably within the rules of the show (nothing more than $100.00). Not for everyone, and the one day event is a make or break deal.

I saw Jim as we were setting up. Are you nervous? I asked."Nope.What can I be nervous about? I spent the last three weeks that way,today is show time". I kinda enjoy an attitude like that.Put it all on the line for as long as is necessary, and let happen what is meant to happen. So Sunday came, we opened the tent flaps. That wonderful smell of grass and art work hit me full on. The press to hang, to arrange everything took a few hours within an hour, but I made it. No idea what would happen, then wifeypoo came back from the gate" They are lined up waiting to get in!" Seriously. Fabulous.

So it went, for four hours Cherie worked the CC machine, I wrapped and hung new work on the walls. Colorado blessed us with one of those blue sky and warm sun days, and we rocked it out.Jim managed to get the word out, the place was packed for the first part of the show, then tapered off pretty quickly. My rule of themb for each day of a show

is $2500.00, and we did a bit better than that. For me, the fun was back again. I had people looking for me "where have you been? I bought from you in_____" That felt pretty damn good I must say. Then there was the young kid. He had seen me at several shows in Colorado but could never afford a piece. He heard about this one,brought his Mom and his piggy bank and found the pic he wanted. Like most of you, I have had the good show, the big sale.This one meant as much to me as any other I have had.The look in the eyes,the pure unadulterated joy of owning a piece that was truly art to them. Not something to compliment the couch.Something to inspire.

Back to the show.Jim's relentless marketing brought the people out, and while I might disgree with him on the one day event (It should be two until it really takes off, or do max.$200.00 the first day, $100.00 the second), the layout was superb. Easy in, easier out.Communcation constant and appropriate. There were some good people there showing, the quality was better than I might have thought. Wide aisles, fair booth fees and for sorebacked veterans like me, the tent rental with panels set up was a real blessing.

I gotta give Jim a bravo and a high five for this show, and if I do any circus' next year, I will save a spot for this one.It felt good.I found that little thing that made it all fun again. Trading places for a day .Pretty damn cool. 

"Looking good Billy Ray! "

"Feeling good Louis!"