Art Fairs? - Page 6

Karin Wells · 08-21-2003, 08:21 AM

I originally thought it would be much easier and cheaper to produce a gicl

Michael Georges · 08-21-2003, 08:56 AM

I have a friend who does very well at the art show circuit. He does wildlife and his giclee's on canvas, framed with painted remarking on the mat go for $300 to $450 depending on the size and the materials cost. He does very well with them.

Michael Georges · 08-21-2003, 09:04 AM

Also Karin:

One thing I have learned this summer of shows is:

Don't split your message.

People come into your booth and you have to have everything completely oriented to selling the art that is in the booth. Don't split your message by displaying work that is a different subject make your booth consistent - all outdoor subjects, all figures, all landscapes, all still life, all portraits, etc.

The public comes into your booth and looks around. They need a buy me signal in 3 seconds or they will leave. Nothing should interfere with that signal. I started the summer out with portraiture on one side (seeking commissions) and still life and landscape on the other. It did not work. They came in and saw portraits, turned around and saw still life and landscape and their little brains just fizzled. People want to put you into a little box. I was "the portrait guy" and the buy signal never comes for the still life and landscapes. I did get one or two commissions, but it was not enough to keep me doing the shows.

So, make your booth floor to ceiling one type of work if you want to maximize the "buy me" message and sell more work.

Karin Wells · 08-21-2003, 09:30 AM

Thanks Michael. My gicl

Michael Georges · 08-21-2003, 09:50 AM

Karin:

Yes, I think that landscape and still life is not too large a leap for the viewing public to make. I think you should be fine with that - especially if everything has a similar "feel".

The thing about humans is that they want to "classify" everything. In the show circuit, you have to grab them and make them pull out their wallets. The artists that do that best are the artists who populate their booth with works within a very consistent theme. Everything is for sale, nothing gets in the way of that "buy me right now" message.

I am going to finish this season with what I have, soliciting portrait commissions. Over the winter, I intend to rethink my whole show strategy with an eye to making the message completely consistent. I too may go with still life and landscapes and drop the portraiture for the show circuit.

You have an advantage Karin in that the East coast market should be much more robust than the market out here.

Catherine Muhly · 08-21-2003, 10:47 AM

Michael,

You make an excellent point - one which I didn't do: I've got mostly portraits and figurative, plus a fistful of still lifes. I'm planning on advertising portraits predominantly. Oh, well we'll see what happens. Good advice, though. I hope that not having taken it before hearing it won't leave me with zilch for my efforts!

I just cleaned and emptied out a large closet which had clothes and stuff and stuck all my tent and display supplies in it. The two biggest closets in my possession now are given over to art and art display supplies. That leaves a skinny coat closet and my small bedroom closet. It's nice that an artist doesn't need a power wardrobe!

Michael Georges · 08-21-2003, 11:18 AM

Cathy:

Well, for the Colorado and general market out here in the West, that is the case, but who knows, the East coast crowd may be able to parse that you paint multiple things and not have it turn off the buy signal in their brains. Give it a shot over a couple of shows and decide for yourself.

Karin Wells · 08-21-2003, 12:07 PM

My current plan is to find some shows within a day's driving distance from home (I would plan an overnight stay on a two-day show).

I figure that there is a learning curve to this but I eventually want to do the two big shows in Coconut Grove, Florida and Cherry Creek, Colorado.

I have a friend who made a nice living just doing two major shows a year. One was Florida and the other was near NYC (don't know the name). He did this for years and managed to send both his children through college from the proceeds. Now he doesn't bother with shows, has a following and his clients come to him.

Catherine Muhly · 09-15-2003, 02:52 PM

Well, I didn't sell a thing at the WSOAE. But I turned right around and signed up for the Memorial Day WSOAE. I lost 10 pounds lugging the equipment, paintings and reproductions from the apartment to the car, then to the exhibit site, and back again, five times. I came to the conclusion that at this venue, offset reproductions ranging from $30 - $100 are the things that move. I didn't get many names, partly because I forgot to invite people to sign.

Nevertheless, I've sent in applications for more art fairs around the region for October and November. Below is a picture of what my exhibit in a 10x10 should look like. I set up the display on the roof of my apartment.

I discovered a website, www.festivalnet.com. You pay about $59 for a yearly subscription. I found it handy for locating the little regional art fairs that accept last-minute applications. Together with Sunshine Artist magazine, festivalnet.com should be very helpful for me to pick out what events I would want to exhibit at in the coming year, and to get my application sent in before the jurying deadline has passed.

I'm getting a U-Haul hitch attached to my car, so I can pull a small 4'x6' U-Haul trailer with the equipment and inventory. My half-size display filled my car to the point that I could not see anything through the rear-view mirror. Does anybody have any experience in parking these trailers? Well, for a $9/day rental with no mileage charges, I can handle a learning curve.

I sure hope my luck improves. Other artists at the WSOAE said that receipts fluctuate wildly from zilch to alot.

Karin Wells · 09-15-2003, 06:54 PM

Quote:

I lost 10 pounds lugging the equipment, paintings and reproductions from the apartment to the car, then to the exhibit site, and back again, five times.

Ten pounds - way to go girl! This sounds cheaper than a weekend at at fancy fat farm spa and a lot more fun! Do you have a dolly to move the heavy stuff? With a trailer you'll probbly have room to carry one.

Sorry you didn't sell at the WSOAE. Were you selling the paintings shown in the picture above? If so, what was the price range?

This seems like one heck of a lot of work for selling $30 to $100 items. How about going for the more high end show? I cannot see big ticket items selling at a small show.