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The days are going by, dripping like a leaky faucet really(very annoying), and the Art Fair season approaches.

I, Creative One, am suppose to be making time with my Muse(in other words, restocking my inventory for the coming frantic frenzy of sequential weekends selling my creations.)

Suddenly, sittting at my bench is an onerous task. I would much rather scrub the kitchen floor. Reupholster my niece's couch. Grout my son's new bathroom. Count toothpicks  in my solder kit. Have lunch with my other son's high school girlfriend and her mother. What gives?

You guessed it........ Creative Block. I've got it bad.

It's winter in the Midwest. I do have Cabin Fever but I can't complain because we haven't been devastated by a tsunami or Civil War. You understand, relatively speaking, I'm alive and well.

So, help me please?

What brings this dread dis-ease on and how do I get rid of it?

Thanks,

Linda

What I won't do, darn it!

Many thanks to Ginny Herzog who forwarded me this information.

Winter Park means lots of things to many folks and one of the things it means is excellent prize money. Take a look at these awards:

BEST OF SHOW ($10,000 Purchase Award)
Sculpture    Charles Hazelaar    Mine Disaster

MORSE MUSEUM AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED WORK OF ART ($2,500)
Sculpture    Marlene Rose    Metallic OH

10 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE ($2,000)
Drawings & Graphics    Helen Gotlib    Fall Dahlia Year
Fiber    Rhanna Nyman    In the Spaces Between the Treasure Hunt Begins
Glass    Duncan Mcclellan    Vineyard
Glass    Renee Engebretson    Blue Grass
Jewelry    Christian Butera    Family of Four
Jewelry    John Ruff    Samurai
Mixed Media    Paul Andrews    Untitled
Painting    Matthew Cornell    Avalon
Sculpture    James Casey    Folded Flag
Sculpture    Steven Olszewski    Meditation

20 AWARDS OF DISTINCTION ($1,000)
Clay    Don Mcwhorter    Looking out the Temple Window
Clay    Steven Howell    Reliquary
Digital Art    Chris Dahlquist    Mile Marker 164
Drawings & Graphics    Gillian Kemper    Banyan I
Drawings & Graphics    Grant Silverstein    Her Brother's Arrest
Drawings & Graphics    Jody Depew Mcleane    Door to the Kitchen
Drawings & Graphics    Julie Keaten-Reed    Water Dance
Fiber    Kate Beck    Rim Rocks
Glass    Todd Cameron    Split Vase: Blue Single Gear
Jewelry    Antoni Kozlowski    Necklas - Amber, Silver, Leather
Jewelry    Barbara Mclaughlin    Blaze of Glory
Metal    Frank Strunk    Intersected
Mixed Media    David Mckirdy    Dark Matter 33473
Mixed Media    Milenko Katic    Dead Bird in the Cage
Painting    Bruce Holwerda    Road Show
Painting    Ning Lee    Still Life with Bottles and Cherry Blossom
Painting    Rimas Ciurlionis    Spacial Plane
Photography    James Parker    Friends II
Sculpture    Dale Rogers    Pedulum
Wood    James Barnes    Flat Vessel

30 AWARDS OF MERIT ($500)
Clay    Edward Risak    Red Jar
Clay    Julie Berndt    Embrace Life
Clay    Patrick Dragon    Mountain Landscape
Clay    Richard Gruchalla    Sentinel Figure
Drawings & Graphics    Clare Malloy    Triangular Blue Barn in Bright Sunlight
Drawings & Graphics    Marla Baggetta    A Passage
Drawings & Graphics    Michael Bond    Evening at Westminster London
Fiber    Annie Turbin    Slate Skeleton
Fiber    John Gunther    Glacier
Glass    David Royce    Convergence
Glass    Leon Applebaum    Eight and a Half
Glass    Mark Sudduth    Plane Sense
Glass    Phillip Nolley    Fertility Vessel
Glass    Scott Amrhein    Harmonic Interlude
Jewelry    Elaine Rader    Ebb & Flow
Jewelry    Phillip Hall    Neckpiece
Jewelry    Sharon Rosenthal    Neck Piece of Bog Bog Nuts
Leather    Horace Thomas    Architectonica II
Metal    Michael Gard    Trio
Mixed Media    Tony Savoie    House on Fire
Mixed Media    Ummarid Eitharong    Lady Luck
Painting    Dexiang Qian    Smile
Painting    John Thursby    Duchampian Dilemna
Photography    Chris Honeysett    Cascading Noodles, China
Photography    Marius Moore    Bamboo, Birds and Baskets
Photography    Michael Bryant    Avian Etude
Photography    Paul Stevens    South Bank
Sculpture    Marc Sijan    Wrapped Arms
Wood    Matthew Hatala    Black Maple
Wood    Steven Potts    Jarroh Burl / Silver Inlay Australian

Congratulations to AFI members, big prizewinners at Winter Park: Duncan McClellan (glass), Renee Engebretson (glass), Bruce Holwerda (painting), Elaine Rader (jewelry), Barbara McLaughlin (jewelry), Jim Parker (photography), Matthew Hatala (wood) and Phillip Hall (jewelry). Good job!

Here is a nice story from the Orlando Sentinel about the show and one of the art fair business "power couples", Lynn and John Whipple:  http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-03-18/entertainment/os-cal-winter-park-sidewalk-arts-fest20110318_1_artist-couples-mcrae-art-studios-mixed-media-artist

        The addition of live entertainment at the opening, and the fact that a significant portion of proceeds from any sale of art at the show will benefit the not-for-profit venue has resulted in a considerable amount of attention to it by the media, something that other artists might consider when planning either their own solo shows or their participation in art fairs and festivals.

Well, I didn't get in again, juried out for the 25th time in a row (got in 1984-86 and then never again, who did I piss off there?).

So, I have been waiting very patiently to hear a real definitive report of the show.  We got sort of one from Barbara, God Bless Her.  She won an award and told us a few things--she's a newbie, so she is off the hook for not telling more.

But gee, there was Barry Bernstein there after hanging out in the gulf coast beaches and Ybor.  No report from him.

Mr. Jim Parker was there--no report.  Gee, are you all spending your big bucks very quietly?

And, there there were a lot more AFI-ers there too.  But not a peep.  Did the committee get to you guys and whisper into your ears,"Not von vord about zeesh show or it is cotchees for you guys, remember what happened to that Johnson guy, oh and that Vaughn fellow too."

So, is somebody going to step up to the plate, or am I going to have to make up an imaginary blog about the show.  Believe me I could do it, but it would be so much more fun to read about real exploits.  Come on guys, and girls, start earning your red dots.

Connie, I want one to put on my golf bag.

Aloha,Nels

PS.  My wife Ellen, to paraphrase her, "Is utterly flabbergasted, that there are no Winter Park posts."  The Ybor chickens have gone on strike, they say they are staying in the grapefruit tree until there is a post.  Come on guys, SAVE THE YBOR CHICKS.

I did  the Red Blank Show 2 years ago. I thought I did my homework.

If you want to do a junky flea market, not make any money then these shows are for you.  It's 99 percent buy sell.

Through the ages the "red dot" has had special significance in art circles. In an art gallery a red dot next to the title of a piece of art means that art has been sold.

Back in the olden days of art fairs when slides were the preferred medium for submitting work for jurying, artists placed a red dot in the upper right hand corner of each slide so the person loading the slide carousels would position the image properly for projection to the jury. This procedure was standardized by the NAIA.

AFI members have been requesting a badge of some sort for a while now. Recently AFI member Peggy Furlin suggested that wedistribute Red Dots to members as a way to identify themselves to each other as they traveled the roads. So here you have it: the Red Dot bumper sticker.

We will be giving them away to members who post comments on our websites, who show generosity to others in the forum and to those who share in our community. But in case you can't wait to win one they are available at cost, $3 for one or $5 for two.

I'm looking forward to seeing spots as I travel!

Learn more: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/page/red-dot

Finally they have arrived in my office and the first ones are going out in today's mail.

Send us your photos with your red dots and we'll upload them to the Red Dot page.

and joined by Tina TurnerI had a great time this past weekend at the Stuart, FL Artsfest, plenty of strolling entertainment, good music, very tasty food and very good crowds. I have mixed feelings about a show that charges admission but for this show it works, people wait all year and come from all the surrounding areas to attend. They come for the entertainment, the libations and to buy art.

Setup is the day before on a very wide street with room for everyone and their vehicles, 14 foot spaces on the curb with plenty of back storage. Breakdown is just as easy, one of the volunteers actually helped me at breakdown with my tent and loading into my van then started helping my neighbor. Breakfast was provided both days and booth sitters were around all weekend providing relief. The volunteers could not have been more organized and helpful. The quality of the art was very good, if not a bit heavy on jewelry (as most shows are). Decent award money and judges that actually looked at your work.

My sales for both days were the same (very good) but I noticed decorative art was selling very well on Sunday, I saw lots of big paintings and sculpture walking by. This is a good stand alone show or an even better pairing show, you won't pay off your mortgage but you could earn a pretty decent paycheck. If I could make one suggestion I think they should lower the jury fee $40 is a bit much.

OK, so im new at selling paintings and I don't know where to start. Im 21, attend Penn State and love to draw and paint. The problem is that I dont know who to talk to or where to go to put my paintings on the market. Can anyone tell me how to showcase my artwork, put them in art shows and fairs, and sell them in a timely fashion?

Thank You,

Michael Crawford

March 25-27
40th Annual Bayou City Art Festival
Memorial Park
300 Artists
10 am to 6 pm all days
Admission: $12; free to children 12 and under

The 40th Annual Capital One Bank Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park is a fine, juried art festival that transforms the 1.1 - mile trail of the park into a one-of-a-kind outdoor gallery. Over 40 years, the Bayou City Art Festivals have raised more than $2.6 million for nonprofit organizations.  Some of the 2011 partners are: Art League Houston, Bering Omega Community Services, City ArtWorks, and the Downtown YMCA.

Ranked as one of the "Top 10 Festivals" in the country by AmericanStyle Magazine for two consecutive years, was ranked #12 of the "Best 200" art festivals by Sunshine Artist, and "Best Festival in Houston" by the Houston Press.

Highlights:
    •    Fine juried art by 300 artists representing 18 media formats  
    •    Art of Food - When was the last time you raved
         about festival food?
    •    Gourmet catering company Melange brings you
         10 Art of Food stations
    •    Passport to Wine -  Our fourth annual Epicurean
          Adventure & Wine Bar continues to feature an
          outstanding array of wines
    •    an interactive children's Gexa Energy Creative
          Zone  
    •    First Look Friday: Friday is all about the visual
          art and buyers' first chance to choose what they
          want. Includes an elite art meet and greet, First
          Look Friday Happy Hour.
    •    Entertainment: Houston Arts Alliance brings together an array of multicultural performances
          representing the diversity and vitality of the city's amazing performing arts

Producer:    Art Colony Association is a 501c(3) organization, Kim Stoilis, Executive Director

Info/Schedule: Visit www.bayoucityartfestival.com or call (713) 521-0133   

Many Art Fair Insiders will be there, including: Michael Wommack (PA), Dolan Geiman (IL), Kathrine Allen-Coleman (GA), Ginny Herzog (MN), Bruce Holwerda (AL), Anne London, Marina Terauds (MI), Patricia and Jon Hecker (IN) and Daryl Thetford (TN). We wish them safe travels and excellent sales.

Please, if we missed adding you to this list let us know: info@artfaircalendar.com

Due to popular demand, this post from last week has been re-edited with new photographs added.

This was the scene in Madison on Saturday March 12. An estimated 85,000 to 100,000 protesters gathered to express their opinion of Governor Walkers budget bill.

The crowd filled the streets from one curb to the other, marching shoulder to shoulder in a counter clockwise movement around the capitol. Most carried signs to support their positions.

A speakers podium was set up on the capitol steps looking down State Street. The crowds were packed in tight, trying to get a good view of the stage.

There was interesting street theater everywhere as individuals expressed their views.

Mock Funeral

Hula Girl

Fat Cat

There was a large presence by the national labor unions.

Although white artist tents were missing from the square this day, I did find one sorry looking Easy Up minus its roof.

The End

This is the second year we have done this show. It is a nice group from the Art Center that run this show in March. The indoor event is in a barn that is set up well for an art show. Although it can be cool inside the building. Every booth has electric included ... and it is needed as the lighting in the building is dim. Lunch is also included. Loading and parking is easy. There is access into the building on all sides, making it easy to get to your booth. There are about 100 spaces in the show.

It did seem that attendance may have been down a little from what I remember last year, but our sales were up 24% from last year. There is a nice mix of artists.

Its a nice show to have early in the year.

Solutions: A Working Conference

May 19 & 20, Indianapolis, Indiana

In conjunction with the Broad Ripple Art Fair

In the past year we have been a part of many conversations concerning what are perceived as serious issues in our industry. While we were planning this conference, we began by discussing the "normal" format with Keynotes and other speakers. As discussion continued, it became apparent that the one advantage that NAIA has over other conferences is that we can bring artists and directors together to work on the issues and come up with possible solutions. So, rather than the same old format where all sit for two days listening, do some talking -- and, ultimately, little is accomplished -- we decided to work on issues.

We have selected three primary topics that were narrowed down after talking with both artists and show directors. Though specific formats are being worked out with facilitators, the general agenda will be as follows:

• The Cost of Doing Art Shows
• Booth Images
• Buy/Sell/Imports/Production

This conference will be the first in which artists and directors will work together to identify and discuss issues in the industry then work toward workable solutions during the conference.

If these are issues of concern to you then join us.

The rest of the story.