Show Season Recap

I’m nearing the end of my second summer art festival season, and I wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned this year.

I have discovered that one of my favorite things about festivals other than sharing and selling my art is meeting and discovering fellow artists. I have met the most interesting and amazingly creative people at each show. Some of them are becoming friends that I stay in touch with. I have met painters of all kinds of disciplines - acrylic, oils, watercolors, mixed media. I’ve met printmakers, other photographers, sculptors, jewelers, potters and ceramists, and glass artists. I have learned that none of us are in competition with each other, not even within the same discipline. We all have a different vision to share with others.

A typical booth set up this summer with our new interior wall

Mark and I have our booth setup and teardown dialed in pretty well. We came up with an interior 3/4 wall this year, made out of materials we already had, which provides a place to sit and also store items unseen. This has really given my booth a much neater  and more “gallery-like” appearance. It takes us about three hours to completely set up, and two hours to tear everything down. We can still fit everything in the back of our Tacoma pickup, too- well, almost. We added a hitch carrier and a couple of aluminum boxes to help out.

I learn a lot from my customers and those who visit my booth. One of the biggest changes this summer was the addition of large format prints - something I was nervous about due to the initial cost investment, but that I was advised to try by several artist friends and also customers. Just after one show and one video on Facebook, I have one large format picture sold and another earmarked. My advisors were all right - I need to go big!

Tent, awning, interior mesh walls and poles, weight, tables, flip racks, interior grid wall, all accessories, and yes, all the artwork fits!

There are two challenges I will continue to work on. One is making the guess as to what customers want and how that balances with what I want to show and share. My backyard wildlife, such as the squirrels, bees, dragonfly, and fox continue to draw attention regularly. But if you know me, my heart is in the more emotional shots, the moods captured during storms and with the still life of abandoned prairie buildings and cars/trucks. I get it, they’re moody and pretty, but not necessarily something people want to hang on their wall. 

My other challenge is finding a balance between our show schedule, the painting and printmaking that I’m loving, and getting out to shoot. When we attend a weekend show, that’s actually about five days consisting of show prep and packing, traveling, the show itself, then another day after to unpack, update and put away inventory, etc. This little hobby of mine has become very busy! That doesn’t leave much time to take a day-long drive and go shooting somewhere. 

Please note that I am not complaining about anything! I am well aware and prayerfully grateful for this wonderful stage in our lives that we can participate in this art festival adventure. We hope to continue and even do more in the future. I can tell you that we don’t do it for the money. Anything I sell goes directly to pay for printing costs, booth fees and travel expenses. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. The unique opportunity I have to bring some joy to someone, to see them smile at my Peek-a-Boo squirrel or marvel at the dragonfly, or remember an old house or truck their grandpa used to have, is not lost on me. I was given a gift - a good “eye” as they say and the ability to express myself through drawing and painting. It’s up to me to share that God-given gift with others. Here’s a few of the painting and printmaking things I’ve been learning this summer:

Our world needs more positivity to offset the darkness that sometimes seems to overwhelm us. If you have time, go to an art festival or art show soon. Let the work you see soothe your senses or prickle your curiosity and contemplation. If you have some dollars to spare, support an artist you’re taken with by purchasing something meaningful to you. You won’t regret the purchase, and you can enjoy it every day in your own home or workplace. Art is important!

Hope to see you at a show soon.