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I'm sharing this because I suspect I'm not the only one who's ever done anything like this, and not the only one who's had ambivalent feelings about it. 

I had a very good summer of shows. I got into some top shows, my paintings generally sold well, and I enjoyed myself. I did 25 shows between February and September, and honestly, I was exhausted. 

In September, the dog of my heart died. She had liver cancer, and I had to euthanize her. This broke my heart and left me truly sad, deep inside. Two weeks afterwards, I rallied to attend a plein-air paintout in which I'd been invited to participate. I wasn't up to being social, but I painted and met nice painters, and enjoyed myself. The sadness ebbed. 

Right afterwards, I headed to Dayton, Ohio, for a show. I had a cheap Air BnB rental ($42 for an entire house), so I got there early, to rest and finish my taxes before starting the show. On Thursday, my husband called to tell me that another of our dogs had died.

I went home. Canceled out of the show (lost my booth fee, even though the show called someone from the wait list to take my place, but OK). I simply could not face people, could not interact, could not engage.

A month later, I realized I just needed a dog. I'd been painting, I'd been gearing up for my final three shows, in Texas, but I was still sad. Still lacking energy, drive, hope. My husband found a rescue dog who looked good, so I met her on my way to Texas and made arrangements to pick her up on the way home.

I got to Texas and drove to my first show, Huffhines Art Trails, in a total downpour. Cars were off the road the entire way. It poured, thundered, lightninged, and the show was canceled. I looked ahead to the weather and saw that hurricane-driven rain was predicted for the next weekend, too, when I was scheduled for a show in Houston. 

So there I was, stranger in a strange land, and all I wanted was to go home. I was tired. Spent. Staying with strangers who were nice, but with whom I couldn't be myself. I tried a couple different things, went to Austin (unbeknownst to me, there was a Formula 1 racing event there that weekend, traffic was horrible, there were no rooms to be had). I tried to paint, but everywhere I could have gone, it was raining. I thought about heading to Arizona to see my dad, but he was away for the week. Nothing worked. Nothing felt right. 

Finally, I just decided to go home. Blow off my two remaining shows, lose the booth fees, just check out. 

The moment I made the decision, my world righted itself. I headed east, got my little dog (photo below), and am happily, safely at home. 

I've since felt tremendous guilt about skipping those shows. I've felt that if I were really a tough, serious fair-going artist, I'd have stuck it out. But I have also felt tremendous power and freedom in my decision. One reason to work for yourself is to do just what I did, not work when I really, truly, in my heart didn't feel like working. 

Of course I worry about the money, but there were no guarantees that those other Texas shows would have been good ones for me. I have commissions to paint, I have a project to start, and people have begun to call me asking to buy the paintings I still have. 

I really wanted to share my experience, even though I suspect some artists might deride me for my decisions. It was hard to make these choices, but they were the right ones. And maybe my experience will help someone else. 

ps, Hi, Connie! 

just so everyone knows, this company uses shady language in their ZAPP application. This company has many other shows that are unsuccessful as well.

If anyone has had a similar experience please comment.

I'm fighting the charge right now.

Does anyone else agree that Zapplication is responsible for enabling unlawful activity?

Right after 9-11 I choose to get part time job. The Part job became a full time job and at the same time I start cutting the shows. Few years later, I hit shaking ground in the full time job but even if wanted to get out I could not because it was wrong time to do it. April 15, 2014 I left the job to do just shows again.

At this time almost the end of my second year I am waiting for applications respond from Florida, Arizona and Texas for the first four month of 2016 and I am reviewing my year. 

This year I found a lot hate or misinform people about my medium. You read and listen to people comments about photography and new rules to photographers and it make me wonder. Maybe the most intriguing was that they only let photographer to shows because the public want see photography. The other wrong perception is that we just go and press print or send to the lab to get print that we really do not work. Comment like this are common and really if you are a photographer in the art show this is nothing new but still does not make feel any better.

This year while I did not head to Florida because one show per month was not a good idea because I live in Chicago. This also create a dilemma with my income. Enter Postmates, this help me all the way until May. Working 36 hours delivering products it was giving a nice 700 per week as income without any stress. It had been so good for me that I make the effort to keep myself in the fleet because of the fear of no shows in a month or several months. It also help me to reduce the stress what to do when you are playing catch up because you have good and bad months in the art fairs. 

Another big surprise for me was the amount of calls for installing art work. This year that section of my business increase almost 1000%. 

So you wonder about the art fairs. The biggest lesson to remember is that no matter what people tell you need to trust yourself. I did bad choices by picking shows in my hometown (Chicago). I only did well at one small show in the area. My body work does not move in the area and people suggest that I was doing something wrong but I could not understand why because when I out of town I do well or least 10 times better than Chicago market. I only can said that I will apply to four or five shows in the area in 2016. If do not get into those shows I wont be doing any shows in Chicago. Several times during 2015, I was wishing I was doing Postmates over sitting in my booth hoping to just break even and losing hope as time pass.  The sad thing is that when I apply I was not aware about Postmates and I was  believing what other people suggest me. 

The biggest different for me and other is this my only income. I do not have a spouse helping me to cover the bills. This how I support myself and wont take hand out. Living in fear of loosing everything because you did not apply your own advice it was just stupid in my part, people that know me understand what I mean with that.

What had been great about this year. When I hit the road, I did shows that even when was not that much profit I notice while sitting in my booth I never lost hope. A lot small pieces move and adding the 36X51 frame pieces was successful as well 12X18 prints matted to 18X24. I realize that more red the state I tent to do better (could be because no to many shows in the area, who knows). Build my second cabinet to hold my prints and poles from my trimline was great idea. A full year with my little trailer had make things a lot easier. I keep seeing old friends and making new. I enjoy traveling the country. I enjoy doing shows. I had done things that I not crazy about (like sleeping my car because I was to tired to keep going and/or could not find a motel was not full or the price will put me out of budget). I had manage to produce more new work this year than any other year. 

There is no doubt in my mind it had been a really hard year for me but full with a lot of joy and hope. I feel more secure and start seeing path to self support. I accepting the fact to listen to people advice but trust my final judgement. If to many red flags come around stay away from that path. 

Life is to short to live in fear, anger and insecurity. All those feelings will crate lonely person. So today I just  figure my second fear in life. Keeping positive attitude is the best and what ever happen in the past stay in past and keep learning from my failures and keep enjoying all those special moments.

Happy Holidays!!!!!

There has been a bit of negativity on the sight lately and I totally understand...a few bad shows in a row will rock you, make you wonder if it's all worth it and make you question your sanity-Ha! I find that most of the time when that happens I just wait it out and pack up and head out to the next show. It sort of becomes an addiction I think....If I'm home for a while I get antsy and crave a road trip...but give me a few shows that suck and I just want to hunker down with a good book and get off the grid for a while. 

This post is about something that happened to me a while back that I just want to share, maybe it will help your outlook, maybe it won't, but it recently made me realize why I love doing shows so much and why I keep doing them. Believe me I am no big moneymaker. 

Three years ago I was exhibiting at Coconut Grove. I had a pretty good show and on the last day an artist came up to me and said she liked my work, we talked for a while and she said she was exhibiting in a different area and I loved the work on her card, so I said yes. She said to come down and trade and then she would come back and get the piece she was eyeing. I said, just take it now, I trust you. I wrapped it and gave it to her. I was by myself with limited help and I put her card in my pocket. Later when I had a bit of a slag, I pulled it out and by mistake I think I pulled out another card from someone else or else I lost her card.. Long story short...I could never find this artist and I just chalked the loss up to my stupidity and guilelessness of handing over my work to someone I didn't really know.

There have been many posts about scams on here and I have often thought about writing about this one but I never did. I somehow felt that if someone did this then I deserve it and also I thought that my usually good instincts just didn't follow the path I thought that day.

Fast forward to Kentuck this year, which by the way,  I reviewed last year, and is one of my favorite shows for a myriad of reasons.Great people, nice atmosphere, great combination of folk and contemporary art. A great director and support system running the show...and besides all that....I won a Merit Award...what more could you ask for.

Sunday morning as usual, I go to get some coffee from the artist's tent and when I come back there is a note on my display table. It says " I owe you a two hundred dollar painting" .Well, for the life of me I couldn't figure what this was about. When I got a break I went to the number on the piece of paper. I recognized the work right away.  Leslie Peeples is a wonderful printmaker and she explained that she owed me a piece from Coconut Grove and wondered why I never came to get the one she owed me. She had hoped that we would meet up on the road but this was the first time she had seen my name at a show she had been at. I was blown away....totally blown. I had put this to bed long ago thinking it was my mistake and karma had turned it full circle and made it right.

And the piece of art...oh my god, it was like she did a piece of art that was completely directed at me...it was a intaglio that said " I was blessed by cranes. I dreamed I had to train my replacement when I lost my job as an art teacher and decided to become an artist. They asked me to dance and we danced and I knew everything would be ok." There was a bit more to it than that... but that was my life on a piece of art. That happened to me five years ago....you know the drill...bring in a recent college grad, befriend and train her for a few years, she wants your job....you're out -she's in (at a lower salary). You get the gist. And sometimes believe it or not, in hindsight-it's the best thing that has ever happened to you... but during the upheaval you are broken for a while. This piece of art will be precious to me forever. 

Anyway....I guess I just wanted to say thank you to the universe and to Leslie who was and is a kindred soul and Kentuck and to Connie and the AFi community and this life blood lovely site.  I hope this makes you smile and makes  you believe that everything works out in the end as it should. I hope this isn't too convoluted or weird...it's a bit personal and this is not what this site is for... but I hope it's ok to post and that you too will realize that magic in life still and always will happen. 

Boca Raton "Artrageous" Art and Fine Craft show

This show took place October 10-11, 2015.

I was prompted to write this and another blog post and review these two shows after my return from the show today. 

First, I will say that I was in one of this promoter's shows in Kentucky and it was a very good day. I was encouraged to try another of their shows and it turned out this one was in South Florida. I was rejected from the "art" section and they suggested I apply to the "craft" section.

It was a twelve hour drive from Birmingham to Boca Raton, Florida.

Zero artist amenities: No water for artists unless you paid to rent their tents, no booth sitters, rude staff. Hard to load in and out. No evening before show setup, which means you have to set up starting at 5 am.  Three port-o-johns for 150 artists, all located in one spot.  Invisible line separating the "art" section from the "craft" section. The "artists" behind us were making us dizzy with the generator exhaust.  When I asked to move it, I was informed that "Oh, you're a crafter. Well, we artists use generators all the time at these shows." Poor attendance due to little publicity. Artist parking was more than half a mile away.

I was annoyed. Most shows consider my work art, but not this one. I can deal with that, but not the treatment. I had already signed up for another show, and it is too late to cancel. Hopefully that one will be better.

I tried to submit a review of this show at artfairreviews.com but the "submit" button won't click!  After all that typing...

Delray Beach Delray Marketplace Art & Fine Craft show

I can nearly copy and paste my previous post about the Boca Raton show for this one.

Zero artist amenities: No water for artists unless you paid to rent their tent. No booth sitters, rude staff. No evening before show setup, which means you have to set up starting at 5 am, and I had to go searching for someone to let me know where I would be setting up. No volunteers helping to unload to speed the process.

ONE male, one female bathroom for 150 artists, all located in a coffee shop. Invisible line separating the "art" section from the "craft" section.  Poor attendance due to little publicity. Artist parking was about a half a mile away.

Location was behind a strip mall.  Behind it. As in, not seen unless you are driving by on a side road. Publicity must have been limited to the three small white square signs I saw stuck on the median near the show location. One person mentioned he saw something on television, but he "came to get out of the retirement community for a while, I don't need anything."

The ONE plus I will give this show is that we had plenty of space behind our booth. My neighbors were great and helped watch my booth while I took a bathroom break.

I won't be doing shows with this promotion group again if I can help it -- I just can't drive twelve hours to a show to be treated this badly, whether I have a hole in my schedule or not. It would be time better spent working on filling inventory.

Metalsmith David Bacharach and jeweler Valerie Hector are compiling a book, "Craftspeople In Their Own Words." Do you have a personal story about working in a craft discipline or some great photos to include? 

Please share your stories, I know you've got them! Profits from the book are going to CERF (Craft Emergency Relief Fund). Send your stories and photos to valeriehector@sbcglobal.net or mail@bacharachmetals.com

One weekend this fall I was in Fort Wayne, IN, to judge a new and cool art show. My sister was invited to her friend's home for a barbecue and I was included. We drove out of town FOREVER it felt like and all the way I'm thinking, never would I live here in the middle of nowhere. Except ... we got there and it was wonderful. I know a lot of artists live in out of the way places (they're affordable after all), so here are a few shots of Kim and Steve Rorick's home and studio. 

I've known Kim a long time and watched her progress from first pots to a fine professional. She apologizes for the studio looking so clean (company is coming and none of the tables are in the shop because they are holding up a very fine barbecue dinner in the garage.) See images of her work here.

Kim is a part of a large network of artists who live in the Ft. Wayne area. They jointly hold studio tours, support and show their work at a co-op gallery, The Orchard Gallery, and start art fairs to help one another live the creative life.

Kim's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.rorick.3

Her etsy site, Painterly Pots: https://www.etsy.com/people/PainterlyPots

Do you live in a community like this? Is your home full of great art? Show us ...

The Huffhines Art Trail show in Richardson, Texas, was rained out last weekend. Today, we got this note from them: 

Dear Huffhines Artists,

I am happy to let you all know that I just received word that the City will be issuing refunds from the cancellation of the show last weekend. As soon as I know when you can expect a check or a credit on your card, I will let you know. 

Hope this news makes your Halloween happier!!!

It sure made this artist happier. The show was to be put on by the town, and I know they'd already spent money on advertising, electrical work, T-shirts, programs, etc. They didn't have to refund our booth fees. I am grateful, indeed. 

Just finished The Atlanta Arts Festival in Piedmont Park.  I have done this show many times but missed last year because it conflicted with another show.  This show is usually scheduled for September but had to move to October because of a conflict with Midtown Music Festival.   In my opinion October is a much nicer time of year to have an arts festival.  The weather was amazing all weekend.

The show is set up in the park on a road around the sports oval.  The booths are on one side of the street and most people have lots of room in the back.  The booths use to be on the outer side of the loop but this year they changed it and placed the booths on the inner area.  I liked this much better.  The booths blocked the view of the sports oval which would often distract the patrons from the art as they walked around.  Load in also changed a bit for this show.  They use to marshal you in from a separate staging area.  This year they staged us in the park and we didn't need a police escort.  I know many artists enjoyed the whole marshalling in thing but I was never a fan.  It just took up a lot of time.  I was happy to see the new set up.  When you arrive to your booth spot you have about 2 hours to set up before you have to move your vehicle.  Break down doesn't go as smoothly.  Getting out of Piedmont Park is always a challenge.  Break down, get a pass, get your vehicle and try to get to your spot.  Instead of fighting all this I broke down and received my pass.  Than a group of us went to dinner.  After dinner we drove up right to our booths and loaded up.  The show closed at 5pm.  I was driving out of the park at 8pm.

This show never gets a huge crowd like a dogwood.  I prefer this for a fine art show.  The crowd did seem a bit smaller though than usual.  Many people thought it might have been from other event going on near by, but there is always something going on in Atlanta.  There was the big Red Bull soap box derby races that attracted 100k people.  I don't think any of those folks would have been my market anyway.  I heard many artists complain there was no advertising and I disagree.  I live in Atlanta.  I am a big NPR listener and I heard adds for this festival often.  I also saw adds in many of the local magazines and print.  My sales were good and since this is a local show for me and I have already scheduled many home visits in the next two weeks I think this will turn into a great show.  The 2d artists a few booths from me also had a good show.  I saw some art walk out but not a ton.  If you live in the area or have family or friends you can stay with and Atlanta is your market I recommend this show.    The show promoters are amazing.  It is run like a real art show.  No dogs are allowed.  They have a hospitality tent but it was rather far from me so I wasn't able to visit.  I dont' think they offered a free lunch but you could buy a boxed lunch.  On Sunday they walked around with sodas and waters.  Saturday night they had a happy hour pizza party. 

Just for fun a pic of Julie Tepp (one of the nicest show directors) and a regular biker in Piedmont Park Ownen Wilson.  His girlfriend and he almost ran me down riding through the show before they decided to get off and walk their bikes:)

November 20-22
St. Simons Island, Georgia
Presented by Glynn Visual Arts
70 Artists
Deadline: November 6

Booth fee: $190 (includes electricity)

The 5th Annual Mistletoe Market on St. Simons Island is produced by Glynn Visual Arts, the premier visual arts organization in southeast Georgia's "Golden Isles." Glynn Visual Arts (GVA) invites creative artists and crafters to participate in this festive holiday-themed event, located on beautiful St. Simons Island, GA, in the Pier Village.  Friday night will kick off the holiday season in the Golden Isles.

As a result of amazing growth in this fun and exciting festival, we have moved the Mistletoe Market to Postell Park, directly across the street from the Glynn Visual Arts Center.  The one square block setting is located under majestic live oak trees, with the Atlantic Ocean a few hundred yards away, creating a unique ambiance.  This much anticipated kick-off to the holiday season in Coastal Georgia features a varied selection of creative works by approximately 70 artists and crafters.

St. Simons Island is one of four barrier islands on the Georgia coast, midway between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL, including Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island.   

Our partnership with the Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau means there will be more activities. In addition to the focus on creative art and quality crafts, the park will be turned into a coastal winter wonderland, complete with decorations, lights, a visit from Santa, craft demonstrations, a variety of holiday entertainment, and a children's hands-on art activity.

One artist recently wrote:  "First show ever when I was sorry to see 5 o'clock arrive.  I'm usually hanging around waiting for the end of the day.  This time it came too quickly." 

Another artist stated:  "Everything was done well-it's our favorite show to do."

Has anyone done any of Mike and Pat's shows in New England?  Mostly one day shows (Sunday) and mostly Mass and CT.  Anyone out there have an opinion on them?

Thanks,

Ron

There has been much frustration expressed with the (almost) past year and the results of our labors. I just read this article about marketing oneself, it's not a DIY article but rather how to be kind to yourself as you figure it out. I find myself there often and am about to attempt to jump in again so the words of encouragement were well received!

http://faso.com/fineartviews/98950/the-frustration-of-being-your-own-marketer

February 13-15
Coconut Grove, Florida

An oasis of art, you will enjoy three days of sales on the beautiful tree shaded campus of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, located in Coconut Grove, Florida and within steps of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival.  After 28 years of international popularity the show averages almost 50,000 people, sponsors, media and industry patrons annually.

I am an older person who went back to school to study photography after my family business of over 50 years closed down. (I have an art degree from a LONG time ago.)

Before I go back up into the "real world" to try and make a living again, I thought I would TRY and see how I would do at several Art Fairs.

So I registered for 8 or 9 (thinking I MIGHT get accepted into 1 or 2.) However up to now I have been invited to 3 of the 4 that have been decided. 

I have couple of questions that I would like to ask you people out there with more experience in these fairs that might help me:

CAN YOU MAKE MONEY ON THE FAIRS? 

Taking into consideration the:

Cost of a tent

Cost of entry fees

Cost of booth fees

Cost to mount/and or frame your work

Cost of a hotel room, food, miss. income..

Is there enough left over to actually make a profit???

I am an older person who went back to school to study photography after my family business of over 50 years closed down. (I have an art degree from a LONG time ago.)

Before I go back up into the "real world" to try and make a living again, I thought I would TRY and see how I would do at several Art Fairs.

So I registered for 8 or 9 (thinking I MIGHT get accepted into 1 or 2.) However up to now I have been invited to 3 of the 4 that have been decided. 

I have couple of questions that I would like to ask you people out there with more experience in these fairs that might help me:

CAN YOU MAKE MONEY ON THE FAIRS? 

Taking into consideration the:

Cost of a tent

Cost of entry fees

Cost of booth fees

Cost to mount/and or frame your work

Cost of a hotel room, food, miss. income..

Is there enough left over to actually make a profit???