Art Fairs? - Page 4

Michael Georges · 07-06-2003, 11:33 PM

Karin:

That model is their Classic I think. It certainly would do just fine. My model seems to me to be a bit heavier, but they look almost identical - my poles are just a bit more robust than the Costco version.

That is a very good price. I would say go for it!

The top is attached with velcro. I leave mine on all the time. The walls are removable and are separated from the whole when stored.

I would get some white plastic 3 gallon jugs for weights. You can get some tension straps with hooks on both ends that tighten. You attach one end to the handle on the water jug and the other on the corner frame top of the canopy and cinch it down. With two of those attached, nothing short of a hurricane will move the shelter.

Michael Georges · 07-06-2003, 11:36 PM

Beth:

If you are selling small originals that run in the $200-$600 range, then taking credit cards is essential. People don't generally write checks for purchases that large, they put it on their cards.

I demo all the time at shows. Draws people in the booth like flies and really boosts interest in your work. I do charcoal, as painting is just too involved for me when I am half distracted at a show.

Marvin Mattelson · 07-06-2003, 11:58 PM

I did a demo once a couple of months back in the annual art and crafts show in my town. I've done this show in Great Neck three times and in other venues three times as well.

The first time I did the show it resulted in the commission of the painting seen below. Beginner's luck, as it turned out. My client, Steve, keeps me very busy with both new commissions for himself, as well as bringing me new clients. He's truly the client from heaven and has become a good friend.

The other shows I've done have resulted in numerous commissions that never come to fruition. Being sandwiched between canon laser prints of lighthouses and day-glo luggage tags is an inappropriate venue for the prices I charge.

At the last show I did, I decided to do a demo to see what would happen. I decided to offer potential patrons the option of having an informal alla prima portrait option for a more affordable price since it takes me much less time to do, and it's done entirely from life (the most fun!). So essentially, I was giving people an opportunity to watch one evolve during the course a day.

This was an experiment to see how the local yokels would react to lower prices. What I discovered was, in that venue, there is no such thing as a low enough price.

However I did a painting I really was proud of. The subject was one of my students, Katie, that I have wanted to paint for both her inner and outer beauty. I did attract a big crowd but not one that was interested in purchasing portraits (big surprise). However, I did have a great time!

This weekend the local museum is sponsoring their first ever outdoor Art (no crafts) Show. Once again I'm giving it a shot hoping that some people are coming to buy quality art (fingers crossed!!!).

I've had very nice conversations with people at each fair I've done and I usually dispense 100-200 cards. I have about a year's worth of commissions so it's not like I'm desperate for work. However one never knows when these planted seeds will start to sprout.

Michele Rushworth · 07-07-2003, 12:03 AM

Beth, I do demo oil painting when I have a public booth of any sort (at the one art show I've been doing and at various school "art night" events.) I'm easily bored when I'm not painting so it passes the time.

The main reason I demo, though, is to attract attention. I bring a fresh canvas with the image already sketched on, and my photo reference. I work on backgrounds and clothing mostly, so it doesn't take too much concentration. The early blocking in work that I do at these shows goes fast and gives people something more interesting to look at than the slow finish work.

Once upon a time, in another life, I was a public pastel portrait sketch artist. I was burned a few times by bounced checks. I would definitely get set up to accept credit cards, to avoid this problem, and, as Michael says, to handle larger transactions. Also, these days, a lot of people don't take their checkbooks anywhere with them.

Catherine Muhly · 07-19-2003, 06:29 PM

I am keenly interested in this thread. I have recently submitted slides for jurying in the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit (WSOAE) over the Labor Day weekend and the one following. I'm hoping to sell some art and promote my portraits. It will be my first contact with the public besides my website and signing on with Stroke of Genius.

The WSOAE disallows the 10x10 tents, assigning spaces of 10' by 4.5'. My spring and early summer was spent, besides doing drawings and stuff, researching tents, display racks, directors chairs, etc. I got a business account and merchant services, so I'll be able to accept credit cards.

I got the Graphic Display System racks, a desk from Pro Panels, a Caravan 10x10 tent from Costco (for about $215 including sales tax). I got a directors chair and flip rack from dlrsupply.com. I even had a sign made with my name, my phone number and my website printed on it. And I got my sales tax certificate framed all nice and pretty.

I will be devastated if I'm not juried into this exhibit. But I'll keep trying. These venues seem like a great deal of fun. I spent last night, for example, surfing the web for RV's, so's I could toodle around anywhere in the country with all my art and display supplies, and not having to check in to tawdry motels. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

If I do get accepted by the jury, I'll proceed to have some of my drawings and paintings reproduced, and then I'll buy a battery-powered cash register, and then figure out how to shelter my display without using a tent.

I'm nervous and excited. Wish me luck!! Here's a little file of my display:

Karin Wells · 07-21-2003, 10:10 PM

Nice display and good luck on the WSOAE. I'm still in the process of getting my act together and gathering materials. Will you be covering your wire racks with cloth for display?

Last year Peter and I got a camper - a third-hand Roadtrek. It is really nice, small and comfy and I plan to use it to haul my stuff. Motels and greasy road food don't appeal much to me.

Maybe we should have a thread/section somewhere about good shows to apply for and attend. In fact, maybe some of us will end up in the same place together.

Wouldn't that be fun!

Elizabeth Schott · 07-22-2003, 12:04 AM

Catherine, how many pieces can you hang with your display? Can you set it up so people can walk in front and behind?

Wow Karin, hitting the road... jeeze, I am having visions of flea markets and biscuts and gravy!

Seriously, you should travel down the coast to the Winter Park Art Festival in Orlando. It is my dream. Juried, but artists from everywhere - it is well respected and huge!

Karin Wells · 07-22-2003, 08:42 AM

Winter Park Art Festival in Orlando? When? How does one contact them?

Elizabeth Schott · 07-22-2003, 09:00 AM

Karin, my brother-in-law used to be the head of the judges, so I'll get a call into him to see when the entry for judging deadlines are. Since there are no seasons, I can't even remember the time of year. I am sure some Floridian will jump in here!

Holly Snyder · 07-22-2003, 09:24 AM

Beth,

I was interested in this one as I am relatively close to Orlando. Do you mean the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival in Winter Park, just north of Orlando? It's March 19 - March 21, 2004. I used the following web link to find it

http://www.artandcraftshows.net/query.php

It's a database of art fairs searchable by date, city, state or fair name, pretty handy.