I was doing a show. During one of the slow times an older man came into my booth. He was interested in my process so I explained to him how I do my art. We started having a conversation that quickly degenerated into one of those times where I kept wishing he would just go away.
 
Unfortunately, being in your booth at an art show, you can’t really leave. You’re stuck having to deal with whoever comes your way. This man proceeded to tell me that photography is not art. His reasoning was that anyone can do it because all you have to do is snap the photo.
 
Interesting logic. So, by his logic, all a painter does is puts paint on a canvas. Or, all a sculptor does is play with clay. And then there are the things that have been said to me like, “It’s just fabric, it’s not really art.”
 
It always amazes me the things that come out of people’s mouths. What I find so interesting is that they often say these things without recognizing that you are standing right there and you are listening to every word you say.
 
I have had people look at my work and proceed to explain to their friend how “it’s done automatically on one of those computerized machines.” So, I quietly point to my sewing machine and say, “This is the vintage machine that I create all of this artwork with. It’s not computerized.” It’s always gratifying to watch their faces when I say this.
 
So this man just kept talking about how easy it is to just point the lens and click the shutter. I tried to interject that there is so much more to photography than that. He didn’t hear me. He had this preconceived notion that would not change no matter what I said. He seemed to be of the opinion that if you didn’t create it with your hands, it was not art. (Side note: I wonder what he would have thought of digital art. I didn’t ask.)
 
It wasn’t long before I gave up trying to carry on a conversation with this man. After a couple of minutes, I just smiled and nodded. Eventually he went away.
 
As an introvert, I only have so much energy to offer. I don’t want to use it up on fools or energy suckers like him. So, my usual approach is to smile and nod and make appropriate sounds at the appropriate times. They walk away happy because someone paid attention to them, and I haven’t wasted too much energy on them.
 
My point is this: save your energy for your real customers.
 

When you’ve been doing shows long enough, you start to hear things like, “I’ve seen your work before somewhere.” They may not remember the actual show where they saw your work, but they remember the work.
 
What a compliment!
 
For someone to recognize your work like that means that you are doing something right. And, the thing you have done is what is called “having a voice.”
 
Now, I don’t mean your speaking voice; I mean your art voice. You see, part of becoming a successful working artist is developing your own style, method, subject matter, niche, or whatever else you want call it. It’s what makes your art recognizable as coming from you and no one else. For example, when you look at a Van Gogh, you immediately recognize it as a Van Gogh.
 
You want to be able to have this recognizability for your work. Why?
 
Well, the main reason is that your work is memorable. And, if you are trying to sell your work, the more memorable you are the better. And, when people see your work at many different venues they assume that you must be successful because your work is all over the place.
 
So, if another artist doing the same shows as you does not have a recognizable voice, they just blend in with the rest of the art. The show visitors may like the work, but they probably won’t remember it later. Whereas if you have a voice, you are recognizable and therefore memorable.
 
So the next time you hear the words, “I saw your work at another show,” it might be followed by, “… and I should have bought that piece with the sailboat.” Well, look here, I just happen to have one that is very similar. Will that be cash or charge?

I am in the middle of doing a 5-weekend long art show. It is three days later and I am still tired. The problem is that I haven't done many shows this year and I haven’t been doing much in the way of exercise. My body wasn't prepared for the sudden onslaught of work.
 
When you are prepping for a show, not only do you need to get your booth and your art ready, but you also need to get yourself ready. Doing shows can be a very strenuous activity. Here are just a few of the things that you have to contend with:

• Heat
• Cold
• Standing all day long
• Lifting heavy boxes and tents
• Talking all day
• Dehydration
• Unfamiliar foods
• Sunburn

 
I hate to sound like your doctor, but the best way to deal with this is to get plenty of exercise, plenty of sleep, and drink plenty of fluids.
 
I’m going to follow my own advice and go take a nap.

Rules and regulations are created for a reason. Like it’s a good idea to stop at a red light. Well, there are also art show rules.
 
This past weekend the art police approached me at the show I’m doing. They claimed that I had not included some of my items on my application and could not sell them without first showing them to the committee. There was a question as to whether or not I actually created the items.
 
Luckily I had all of the parts and pieces in my booth so that I could show them my process and prove that I did indeed make the items.
 
The fact is I had indeed included those items on my application and additionally, I have shown those items at that show every single year I’ve done it. These facts lead me to believe that either the show management is inept, or someone complained. Either way, I was able to prove that I am the designer, creator, and maker of those items.
 
My point is that while it is always a good idea to talk about your process with your customers, sometimes you may have to actually show them. And more importantly, there may be times when you need to do a “show and tell” for the show promoters.
 
To do that I would suggest that you have a work in progress in your booth with you at all shows. If you can’t have a physical item, then have photos of you working on a piece. Be sure you are in the photos so that it’s clear that you are the creator. I would further suggest keeping a copy of your application with you just in case.
 
Hopefully you’ll never have to deal with the art police, but if you ever do, it’s best to be prepared.

Many years ago I owned an art gallery. One particular night, a young couple came into the gallery. I greeted them as them walked in and made sure they felt welcome. They acted surprised. I questioned them about their reaction. It turns out they had been to several other galleries that evening and had been ignored. They told me up front that they had no money to spend on art, they just wanted to have an enjoyable evening looking at art.
 
So, I gave them the tour. It didn’t matter to me if they could afford any of the artwork in my gallery. They still deserved to be treated with respect. They were so appreciative of the attention that I gave them that they actually did end up buying a note card. Okay, so it wasn’t a major purchase, but they were so grateful that I treated them in the way that they wanted to be treated that they spent what little money they had to buy something from me.
 
The point is, you can’t judge someone based on their looks. I didn’t know if this couple had money or not. Nor did I know if they wanted to purchase a piece of art. However, they walked into my gallery space and that in and of itself qualified them to get my attention.
 
I have heard stories of artists at shows who ignored or mistreated a customer based on their looks. For example, the scruffy looking customer in the ragged jeans who turned out to be a famous rock star.
 
So, next time you are at a show selling your work, be sure you talk to everyone, even the kids. You never know if the next person you talk to could lead to your next sale.

It has been another interesting year at the Laguna Beach Art-A-Fair Festival. One of the things that made it interesting was the fact that my marketing efforts are starting to pay off. This is the first year that I can directly attribute a large percentage of my sales at this 9-week long art show to my email list.

And, it was the first year that I have ever heard the following comment: “I’m bored.”

Not the kind of thing you want to hear. So, here’s what happened: I was talking to a woman and her young daughter. I was explaining how I create my art. I showed them both the work in progress and the parts and pieces that go into it. As I always do, I made it a point to include the child. When I finished, the mother turned to her daughter and asked, “So, what do you think?” In a loud and obnoxious voice, the girl brayed, “I’m bored!”

Her words reverberated through my section of the show causing the other patrons to look in our direction. The mother was apologetic, but it was clear that the girl simply did not want to be there. (Unfortunately, I did not have a good comeback prepared. Only later did I think to say something like, “Oh, you poor thing…Is your imagination broken?”)

That one comment grated on me.

Not only was it insulting to me, but to my artwork as well. But, is was uttered by a girl who wasn’t old enough to know better. But, it was still bothersome. But, it really wasn’t directed at me. But, it stung. But… but… but…

Here’s the thing…for every one of those comments, you will get many like this: “My son and I attended the festival and yours is one of the select number of cards I actually did pick up. Thank you for sharing your art talent with us. We really enjoyed it… So thanks again. I wanted to express my appreciation for the way you beautify the world.”

This lovely gem of a compliment showed up in my voicemail yesterday. It is a wonderful feeling to know that I touched someone enough that they felt compelled to let me know.

So, the next time you hear a rude remark about your art, think of all the wonderful things other people have said about your work. They’ll help to soften the blow of those negative comments.  Focus on those positives, and keep beautifying the world.

Often times the first words upon greeting a fellow artist are, "Are you ready for the show?"

It's a common question with a common response: No.

Let's face it, we're never really ready for a show. There's always one more thing to do, one more item to create, one more display to improve.

The days before a show are spent agonizing over what to make that is going to sell at that particular show.

And then there's the endless visualizing of the booth display. Maybe that print bin would work better on the other side of the booth.

In the end, you do all of the preparations you can. You make your best guess as to what will sell at that show. And, you display your work in the best possible way with what you have.

Finally, you get to the show, you set up, and you do the best job you can at selling your work.

And then you go through the whole process all over again for the next show. Ah, the life of an artist.

Years ago I used to do a show in Dana Point, California. It was a beautiful location right by the ocean. From my booth I could see the tall ship Pilgrim. I sold pretty well at this show.

For a variety of reasons (mostly that I kept forgetting to sign up), I stopped doing this show. Well, this year I thought I should do it again. My reasoning was that my newer artwork more reflected the location. I am doing much more nautical art and I figured it would be a great fit at this show.

I got up early the morning of setup and arrived at the show location 10 minutes before the allowed setup time. I like to do this whenever possible just because it is easier to setup when you don't have to contend with your neighbors.

When I got to the check-in area, there was no one there. Not even the usual line of vendor vehicles waiting to get in. Did I get the date wrong? No, there were lots of barricades up and other pre-show stuff going on.

I found the person in charge and I was in the right place, I was just the first one there. They showed me to my space and I started setting up. About 20 minutes later a few other vendors started straggling in.

Then I noticed who the other vendors were...

There was the window replacement contractor, and the local credit union, and the made in China seller, and the made in Vietnam seller, and, well, you get the idea. When I had a chance to walk the show, I found that maybe 5 out of 50 or so vendors actually made their own stuff.

There were many other changes to this show as well. Like music that didn't fit the theme, and making visitors pay to get into all of the event except the vendor section.

Needless to say, my sales were not very good. And, I was really disappointed.

And what did I learn from this experience?

Two things: First, shows change and you've gotta know when to keep doing them and when to stop. And second, heed my own advice. Investigate a show before doing it.

If you want to avoid the mistake I made, get this book, The 35 Questions to Ask Before Applying to a Show:

I recently started putting out calls for entry. I am doing monthly online themed exhibits. The winner for each month gets to be a featured artist on The Shy Artist website. I've just put up the next two calls for the months of October and November. It's free to enter, so what are you waiting for?!?!?