Blog

He just about covers all that is needed.  Click on the link to learn!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDep9EX38Ik

There have been a lot of well written threads about how bad it is at shows. Thought you might like one about "hope."

It always takes a lot of courage to shift gears.  You know, like jets- ion your old style of art for something totally new.

I am doing again.

Done it about six times now in a career that has spanned 30 years in our biz.

I have watched people I know who did one discipline like clay for 20 years, and make oodles of dough at it, than change into something like photography.  Talk about "Profiles in Courage" (JFK, folks).  It takes a big leap of faith.

We all know the artist, who in his/her day was the hot one.  Selling and getting in everything.  Then 20 years later, they were still doing the same thing and they were dying.  They had exhausted their market.

Yes, there are a few very lucky ones, who come upon a unique style, and still kill them, year after year.  They are very rare like a good wine.

Most of us have to grind it out, year after year.  Tweaking it here, tweaking it there.  Yeah, we change colors, we stylize it a little, but do we really grow?  Do we ever try to stretch the box.

If you are smart, you live to grow new work.  It is what makes you excited about getting up in the morning and get into the studio.

I am taking that big step again.  I am already 400 feet, down off the cliff since November, when I found this new one.  Thank God!  It is a long cliff.  I can almost hear the parachute getting ready.

Early on, when I first started doing shows, I lived in Hawaii.  I was in the Army there in the 1970's.  Back then I shot pics of surfers on Banzai Pipeline (My backyard, where I lived at the time), I shot pics of guys growing monster Pakalolo plants (that's Hawaiian for ganga--literally, a "lolo" is a crazy person in Hawaiian, so Pakalolo, is weed that makes the head go crazy).  Also, I shot pictures of naked women.  I knew many who would pose nude, I just wasn't their lover.  All these pics were black and whites. Old school photography.  You know.  The trays with chemicals in them.  Drying them on lines.  Trying to be an Ansel Adams, or today, a Clyde Butcher.  We could only hope.

One day, back in that day, I had an interesting encounter, over a nude calendar that I had shot.  Lucky me, I got to live and tell about it.

Let me set the scene.

Cool Lindell Cedar home sitting back on the reef of Pipeline.  Cue in some Gabi Pahanui music (quintescent slide guitar player ). Wind blowing thru the palms.  Nels chilling on the porch with an Oly (Olympia beer).  A little whiff of Christmas in the air, if you get my drift.

Tempo changes, put on some Shaft music.  Here comes the Hawaiian mafia.  In this case, the North Shore boys.

Hawaiian dude, sans aloha shirt and well-muscled, walking with a big stick.  Looking very secure.  Followed by four guys that each make Shaquille O"Neill look like a runt.

The capo comes right up on the porch.  Nods at me, says, "Aloha, Nels.  I hear you are a reasonable dude.  So I am going to be reasonable with you.  I know you are pure of heart, but maybe a little naive."

I went WTF!  Never saw this guy in my life.

I got a quick wakeup call.

A little history.  A few months earlier, this girl I knew, lets call her Mara, asked me to do a nude calendar of her for her boyfriend.  She wasn't exactly built.  She wan't exactly cute--but, she had spunk.  Oh yeah.  She also paid me a $1000 to shoot this calendar.  It took two months of shooting, using ingenious props (she had stretch marks).  She was happy, I was happy.  I got paid. She gave it to Mr. hawaiian capo as a Christmas present.  Well, let's just say, he wasn't as happy as us.

Thus, cueing to the present, (A little Miami Vice music maybe) Mr. Capo paid me a visit.

He brought kuilanas(gifts).  Some very good smoke and a whole bunch of "Greenies".  That's what the locals called Heinekin in those days.  He also brought a dose of intimidating attitude.  I mean, where were my Army buddies with their gernade launchers when I needed them?

He continued, after a big inhale/exhale--it was Christmas all over the porch (editor's note:  In those days, the best Pakalolo smelled strongly of evervescent wintergreen.  You wanted to kiss Santa).

"Eh brah!, I want all the negatives of Mara."

Being no dummy, and badly outnumbered, I relented.  We drank, we smoked, he told jokes, I got the negs, he said Aloha, and I never saw him again.  End of my nude calendar career.  So many lovely bodies, so little time.

I changed, went landscape.  Won first place in four out of five sections of All Army Photography worldwide.  Managed to make $15 at my first outdoor art show.  Topic for another discussion.

In between then, 1978, and now, 2013, I have totally changed my direction of photography  six times.  Only once did it end in slight failure.  Every other time, I stepped forward, renewed, refreshed, and relishing the beginnings of a new day so I could practice my new art.

I am floating halfwy down the cliff.  I think  the sound I am hearing is a parachute opening.  It could be the sound of rocks below with big waves pounding upon them.  Nah!  It is not my time for that. 

They already sliced and diced me.  I am back.  I am stronger than when I was 27.  I am now 67. My new work carries me forward.  I sleep great dreams at night.  I fell that success will come.  It always has before.  So why not now!

Aloha, there is hope.  Believe.  Be open to change.  Be open to new directions.  What do you really have to lose?  Open that door, go down that new path.  There are parachute sales going on all over this world.

Nels Johnson, second night of our new cat.  Aloha--and don't smoke too much Pakalolo.

I have thought about using ZAPPlication for a very long time but my lack of photographic skills has always prevented me from taking that big step. I an run, rebuild, maintain, and service just about every sewing machine made including all of my industrials but put a camera in my hands and I fold. I have finally seen what my items look like when photographed professionally and what a difference it makes. I would like to thank Larry Berman at BermanGraphics for his generosity and taking the time to photograph my bags. I never knew they could look so good.

Wednesday - January 16 - 4 pm ET

You know that New Year's resolution you made about getting your website in order or figuring out what to do about that nagging social marketing question. Join us!

Artists - do you have a website, just for you? A site where you can

• post your pics,
• blog your thoughts
• sell your stuff
• and keep in touch with your audience, all in one place?

Is it time for you to find your home?

I'll be talking to Jennifer Rapp Peterson, whose company IndieMade.com specializes in creative websites for artists and entrepreneurs. Jennifer has spent 20 years as a serial creative entrepreneur as a cartoonist, book illustrator, software consultant and inventor.

Her unsuccessful search to find a friendly, easy and affordable way to build a branded website for her own endeavors that would include

• a store
• a content management system
• AND built-in marketing tools

was the seedling that grew into a web building system that is smart, easy and affordable for artists.

She'll have tips for everyone on social marketing and ideas for websites and marketing your work online. Bring us your questions. Call in to the show: (805) 243-1338 or leave them in the comments below. Let us help you find these answers and get your website in order!

Visit IndieMade.com now to get your questions ready.

Excuse the delay for reporting back on the Secret Santa project we've been working on. It turned into an international gift exchange when Annette Piper joined in so we were waiting for gifts to be sent and received from Australia.

I hope you enjoyed the Secret Santa as much as I did. Some great gifts were exchanged. Thanks to participants Larry Berman, Annette Piper, Steph Mader, Robert Wallis, Elle Heiligenstein, Vivian Leflore Mora, Annette Piper, Deborah Potash Brodie, Melanie Rolfes, Carrie Jacobson, Patricia DeMaria, Susan Kubira, Lida Arthaud, Patty Gamin, Marsha Scherer, Alesia Coppedge,  John Weller, Kathy Czopek, Pat Falk, Lois Anderson, Larry Raineri, Jackie Dunford, Sharon Jeter, Ellen Schneider and Maureen Roberts.

I received a gift that I prize from my Secret Santa and others did also as reported here: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/thank-you-secret-santa

As promised everyone who posted showing gifts will be receiving compliments of AFI my two e-books, "Getting Started at Art Fairs" and "Getting into Art Fairs: 20 Questions Answered." Look for them in your mailbox tomorrow.

In addition, everyone who participated will receive our famous Red Dot bumper sticker in the mail. Please email me your mailing address.

Then I had to find a judge to choose the Grand Prize Winner and it had to be someone with impeccable credentials in the art fair community. Thank you to Rick Bryant, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, who took on this daunting task.

Here are the judge's comments:

This was more difficult than I thought it would be!

But I’m going with the woman who got the blue glass ikebana plate.  She does a great job holding it like the lovely Carol Merrill from “The Price is Right” and there’s a photo of just the item, and also one of it in use. Oh and I liked the story about the leaf in the package. Points to both Santa for putting it in there and the recipient for mentioning it.

Honorable mention goes to the guy with the Pillow. A very simple Get er done aesthetic going there.

The winner of the is Ellen Schneider of St. Petersburg, FL. Ellen wins a portable Solar Charger for iPhones, iPads and other USB powered devices. Hope you can use it, Ellen. Please email me your mailing address: info@artfaircalendar.com.

You guys were great and I enjoyed organizing this. Do you want to do it again next year?

Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, located just across the ($2 toll) bridge from my S. Fort Myers home, is probably the easiest show I do all year, and it's certainly one of the most community-oriented.  Except for 2010, which featured bone-chilling cold and the never-before-experienced thrill of seeing ice fall off my flaps when I unzipped on Sunday morning, the crowds always turn out for this Rotary Club show along Cape Coral Parkway.

But are they here for the art, the food vendors, or just a couple hours' stroll in the sunshine?  As is often the case with this show, results were mixed.  Among the 15 or so artists I spoke with late on Sunday, nearly everyone  said their sales were down from 2012.  For the most part, the declines weren't catastrophic--most folks still made money--but shoppers were definitely not buying big.

My sales were near $2K, not great but a decent enough paycheck given the low booth fee ($276.80, if memory serves) and my ten-minute commute.  Crowds were pretty steady both days under warm, humid skies buffered occasionally by cool breezes.  But it can be a tough show to sell because of its large size (over 300 artists) and long end-to-end layout, which creates a long walk for the aging populace.  Entry points are at one end of Cape Coral Parkway or the other, and if you're located just inside one, as I am every year, you'll get lots of raves, but few sales, from folks who have just arrived and want to see everything else first.  "I'll see you again on the way out" is the phrase of the weekend--and although a few customers were true to their word, there weren't enough of 'em to make this the big payday it was in 2012. 

This is the third show in a row where sales lagged last year. And although it's tempting to say, "well, sales are going to suck in 2013", I'm gonna pass on that conclusion, for now.

First off: Jeez, it's early yet!  Two or three shows don't make a trend, let's at least wait 'til March before we push the panic button

That said, I suspect that this long-running show might be showing a few cracks in the foundation.  The fine folks at Rotary raise a lot of money from booth fees, and it's in their best interest to have the show be a big one.  That takes a toll on the show quality, which is several notches below the likes of Coconut Point, Estero (Miromar Outlets), and, most importantly, Bonita Springs, taking place on the same weekend a half-hour to the south.  A number of artists, particularly jewelers, commented on all the buy-sell lining the streets.  There was a very high percentage of photographers, including several whose work, IMHO, wasn't up to even a minimal professional standard. Other 2-D artists seemed to be under-represented. 

I think this would be a better show if it were smaller--maybe 200 artists--and more tightly juried.  That would make it easier on its customers and give the exhibitor list a needed pruning. But I don't think that's gonna happen.

Other notes:

* Logistics are well managed.  Setup, in particular, is surprisingly easy for such a large show.  It's a late-Friday setup, advertised to begin at 8 PM. You pick up your packet in a shopping center one block north of the show center and hang a colored tag on your dash, depending on whether your booth is on the north or south side of the median-divided parkway. When all is ready on the parkway (which turned out to be 45 minutes early this year), the barriers part, and you drive right to your space and set up with your back to the median.  There's minimal room for storage, but most of the parkway has a well-trimmed, woody hedge that will support empty boxes and bags with no worries.

* The show doesn't give artists their booth assignment until they arrive on Friday night, which even in these times of Twitter, doesn't give you much time to inform your fans, followers, and past customers.  On the other hand, the show has lots of repeat artists from year to year, and you'll usually get the same, or nearly the same, booth location.  So net/net, it's pretty easy for past customers to find you.

* Artist parking is located in two grassy lots adjacent to the parkway.  It's a tight space, but manageable.  It's pretty easy to stage your vehicle near your booth an hour or so before the show ends, too, which helps with tear-down. 

* Speaking of which, the show tells you that the parkway reopens at 7 PM, only 2 hours after show close.  That's cutting it tight for many of us. (When the Rotarians came by with a friendly "25 minute warning", I took stock of my situation and decided I wouldn't quite make it.  So I hauled my neatly-stacked stuff  across the street to a sidewalk, moved the van to a parking lot, then hauled my stuff yet again down- and up-hill through a drainage ditch to the van.   Imagine my irritation when I finally got everything packed at 7:25 and saw that the parkway was still closed.  Next year I'll tell them I'll need 10 more minutes, thenkyewveddymuch.)

* The food vendors are plentiful, so you won't go hungry.  But best of all, there are a plethora of fine Mom and Pop restaurants of every ethnic variety you can imagine lining the parkway, and a Perkins that's a favorite pre-show breakfast spot. 

I like this community a lot. Compared to the golf-centered, gated-community sameness of much of Southwest Florida, it's refreshingly independent, unpretentious, and multicultural.  Given the large number of artists that live in and around the area, it would be really cool if this show could develop a vibe to match. 

I am looking for a show the last 2 weeks in March and didn't see much in the show reviews about either, I'd love it if anyone could give me some feedback or suggest another one for this time period in March in Florida. I also wondered about "Mayfaire by the Lake" in May, it looks very interesting. I,m a potter live in FL so none of them are all that far for me. Thanks in advance, Jackie 

June 8 & 9

The  58th annual Talbot Street Art Fair is sponsored by Talbot Street Art  Fair, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts  and philanthropic endeavors; program grants, scholarship endowments and  awards.

270 fine art and fine craft artists from across the nation will participate in the oldest juried fair in Central Indiana.  The fair remains free to the public.

Media  categories are two dimension, two and three dimension mixed media,  clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, photography, sculpture and wood.  Merit  Awards of $250 are given for each category and also a $500 Best of Show  Award. In addition to the Merit Awards, we also sponsor Purchase  Awards.

All of the fair's focus is on the artists.

• We do not have   commercial booths or performing musicians.
• We do extensive advertising to bring you the customers that buy.
• The fair has a dedicated following of patrons who show up rain or shine.
• Our  local and regional media coverage includes billboards, newspapers,  magazines, online ads and radio and television interviews.
• We provide 24 hour security with our Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers
• Free parking for both artists and RV's and cold water.  We also offer the option of Friday afternoon set-up.  Our Block Captains help us create an organized fair that runs smoothly.

The booth space sizes vary from the standard of 10'x12' to 10'x22'.  Fees: $25 Application Fee; Booth Fee of $295-$545.

Well, a show director suggested that to me recently.

Interesting statistics:

• the NRA has 100,000 new members since the Newtown, CT, school shootings*
• ArtFairInsiders.com had 67 new members join in the first 10 days of the New Year

Which headline do you like the best?

Welcome to Susanne Snyder, Karen Cress, Kelly Tygert, Linda Hann, Jill Ellen Chambers, Bernard Zalon, James Veenstra, Cheryl Beverly, John Smith, Sarah Powell, Andelina D'Arcy, Liane Crigler, Tiffany Nolan, Susan Bertino, Sara, Cheryl, Jan, James, Barbara, Helen, Lynda, Suzanne, Karen, Hope, Francisco, Sharon, Ann, Bruce, Suzette, Jeri, Amy, Christopher, Katherine, Ronald, Cindy and everyone else!

The main principles: Share, help others, invite your friends

All of us welcome you and look forward to hearing from you. This site only thrives when its members participate and not only do the "old" members have a lot of information they really appreciate it when you weigh in also and share your stories, adventures, questions, answers and reviews. It's all about helping one another.

Tell your friends about AFI and invite them to join.

You are new but that doesn't mean you can't welcome the other new members. Join in with a welcoming message and see if you can make a friend. This site has grown because of the interconnectivity of its members. Make a friend here and be next to them next weekend at an art fair.

A few other ways to participate:

• share interesting stories from shows you've participated in
• tell us about products that have made your art fair life easier
• share your best advice
• bring us the news about the latest relevant info in the business
• interview an artist you admire and post it here

Still getting your feet on the ground and overwhelmed with all the available information? Check out the Get Started Guide at the top of this page.

The "deans" of the site are the people who have Red Dots on their profile photos. These folks have been around a long time and are really helpful.

Now, tell us why you joined and what AFI can do for you and what you can do for us in the comments below.

Each person who comments receives our famous Red Dot bumper sticker.

Great to have you here!

P.S. Want to keep us in business without spending a penny? Check out the ads on the right hand side and in the supplier section at the top. You'll find even more helpful info.

I read this essay by Munks on another site and it really gave me something to think about.  I am posting this link with the permission of Munks.  Read it and see if it applies to your experiences with art fair attendees and the apathy we see toward art in general.  Enjoy!

http://wp.me/pSIUh-b7

This is the year I go full-time as a art festival vendor and I'm looking for used equipment, most importantly Display panels or pro panels.....New pro panels are just outrageously expensive imo. So if anyone knows of good inexpensive display panels that are durable and look professional I'm all ears? I wouldn't be apposed to building my own if anyone has good advice.

Thanks Erik

www.leiferikjohansen.com

I'm a painter who occasionally does large format paintings (i.e. 40X40, 60x20 etc..) and I'm looking for the most economical and practical vehicle for traveling to art festivals. I am admittedly a foreign car lover; Honda, Toyota and Nissan and I like a vehicle that is reliable and gas friendly. 

I'm looking for used vehicles in the price range of $8K - $12K... but would like to spend less than $10k.

My thoughts are the Honda Element, a minivan, or a car which can pull a trailer. If I get the Element or a minivan I plan to build a platform so I can store stuff on top and on bottom, then the platform could double as a bed so I can sleep in my car during two or three day festivals. If I get a car with a trailer I'll just plan to camp out or stay with friends, family or a hostel I suppose.

Any packing tips would be helpful as well. this will be my first year doing festivals full-time. I still trying to figure out the best way to package my paintings for minimal wear and tear...and prints for that matter.

Thanks

Erik

www.leiferikjohansen.com

June 7-9  
Columbus, Ohio

Riverfront
250 Artists
Deadline: January 18
Patron Attendance 400,000+

The Columbus Arts Festival presented by Time Warner Cable and produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, is the city's welcome-to-summer event, pairing the finest artists and craftspeople with continuous entertainment including hands-on art activities, musical performances and food from the area's finest restaurants.  

Join us on the Scioto Mile June 7, 8 & 9, 2013, for great art, music, food and fun!

I'll be travelling down to Florida from Michigan in March to do Gasparilla, then Winter Park in the middle of the month. I've just been invited to do Mainsail in St. Pete in April. And I might consider Melbourne the following week-end. I'd have to park my car and trailer for a month between Winter Park and Mainsail. I'd fly back to Michigan for the month. I'm wondering if its worth it. I've never done Mainsail and I'm curious about what others think of this long-running show. It has big prize money and seems to attract local St. Pete and Tampa clientele instead of snowbirds. I've done well at Winter Park and I could use another strong show like that. Any opinions?

Why is it so hard every year to apply to art shows?  I feel so nervous about it, I find myself doubting everything... my work, my display, my show choices, the money.  My whole career!  Wouldn't it be easier just to go back to the corporate world and get a steady income? 

If any Chicago artists want to compare show choices with me (or tell me what to do!) I'd be so grateful.  It feels like such a crap shoot and facing all that cash out the door panics me.

I'll bet your applications for this year are already figured out.  If so, you can feel smug and read my first blog entry of this year:

http://pencilenvy.blogspot.com/2013/01/id-rather-be-procrasti-snuggling.html

Happy applying!

Wendy

June 7-9
Omaha, Nebraska
Downtown Omaha
135 Artists
Deadline: February 1

The Omaha Summer Arts Festival is a magnet that draws people together to  celebrate art in all of its forms and varied expressions.  Its mission  is to present culturally diverse, high-quality arts programs,  performances and exhibits in downtown Omaha for the general public to  appreciate and enjoy.

Highlights:

• High quality juried show
• Organized and Experienced Show Management
• Discounted hotel partners
• Extensive marketing & advertising on TV, radio, print and social media
• Excellent Show layout with easy set up and load out-pull up to your booth
• Reasonable booth fees and jury fees

The Best in the Midwest:

Attracting more than 80,000 patrons from throughout the region, the Omaha Summer Arts Festival is consistently ranked in the top 100 art fairs in the country and enjoys an established tradition of excellence.

An experienced staff of dedicated, event professionals produces the Omaha Summer Arts Festival.  Members of the Festival's Board of Directors visit each artist individually providing an opportunity for one-on-one feedback and evaluation.  We care about the artists, listen to their input and react to their concerns.

The show layout allows every artist to pull his or her vehicle in front of their booth for easy set-up and teardown.  Each artist is provided an 11'x11' space with an additional 2'x11' storage area at the back.

Exceptional artist amenities including:

• $2,500 in Cash Merit Awards
• Complimentary lunch delivered to each artists' booth on Friday
• Artist Awards Brunch on Saturday
• Continental Breakfast and Artists' Meeting on Sunday
• Artist Concierge Desk, centrally located, with dedicated cell phone number for Artist requests
• Private, air-conditioned Artist' Lounge with complimentary snacks and beverages, private, indoor restrooms, artist-only computers, free WiFi and chair massages by appointment
• Artwork Delivery Program providing pick-up from your booth and delivery to your customers' vehicles
  
• Experienced booth sitters
• Water delivery to Artists' booths throughout the weekend
• Assistance with load-in and tear-down
• Complimentary sand tubes delivered to your booth during set-up and removed at the end of the show
• 24-hour security provided by off-duty Omaha Police Officers

Learn more: SummerArts.org

Applications: www.zapplication.org

Jury fee: $30
Booth fees: $325 or $400 for a guaranteed corner.

Limited electrical service is available in some locations for a one-time fee of $75

For more info:

Ashley McNabney, Visual Arts Coordinator

amcnabney@vgagroup.com, (402)345-5401

Apply today to be a part of the tradition as the Omaha Summer Arts Festival  

celebrates 39 years of  

artistic excellence in the streets of Omaha!

Here is me, sending jury fees for shows that I don't even know I'm going to get in, so why not? Let's apply sometimes for two shows on the same weekend in case I get rejected in one, or if I am lucky to get accepted in both then I can chose, it's only a jury fee, or two, times 12. Oh! But wait! Getting invited as returning artist to couple and guess what...We need your booth fee for a show that is in 4 to 6 months. Oh! But I forgot...It's January, just after Holiday season, which means I went over board with dinners, parties, presents so my wallet is empty. Another detail...I am in Chicago. I don't travel to FL shows because I have 3 little kids that I can't leave so I have to stay local. So not too many shows during winter season. Oh! Yes, my materials that I just ordered online, just 1,000.00 and I will still need couple more things. So I have more expenses than $$$ in my bank. Ha!!! I will cross my fingers and will send booth fees when I start making $$ in my shows. And the question is...Am I going to make money enough to cover all my booth fees. That my friends...IS THE QUESTION!

Hello out there!

The deadline for the Broad Ripple Art Fair is coming up, and I'm very curious about the show. I've read some good things about it on this site, but have noticed that the show's site does not offer a list of past exhibitors. We like to know what jewelers have exhibited in the past to get an idea of the "flavor" of the show. Our work is fairly high end and we like to be on a par with the other jewelry exhibitors.

Does anyone have any input? If so, I'd be very appreciative! Thanks!

~Emily