Making of an Artist: Part III – Learning as You Go

Ladder of Success

https://boxfanexpo.com/kgmmljy9 Climbing the Ladder

https://vbmotorworld.com/3pnlshjd “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers…
You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.”  ~Amelia Earhart

click There is a lot to learn BEFORE you do your first art fair. Even though it’s a straightforward process to send in an application, get accepted, and show up on the correct date with a basic booth filled with art, there are plenty of daunting details.

https://technocretetrading.com/kbmw89khl But after a year of doing art fairs, I’ve discovered that there are always new lessons to learn DURING every show, too. It’s called “on the job training!”

https://www.drcarolineedwards.com/2024/09/18/1cbwbvwz2n Here are a few of the lessons I learned from the first shows I did:

watch Show #1: Only do juried shows. In a non-juried show, anyone who pays their booth fee can be in the show. Usually these shows are described as “arts and crafts” fairs. There is little to no quality control in a non-juried show. My booth was arranged with framed photography. It was situated across from a great-grandmother, a very enthusiastic and energetic woman, who was selling her hand made crocheted Barbie doll clothes. The craftsperson to my left had stamped white skulls and crossbones onto a wide variety of leather goods. They were…good conversation starters. Another vendor (who deserves no “artist” or “craftsperson” title) had imported a wide variety of trinkets, toys, and woven mats. Everything sold for less than three dollars.

https://luisfernandocastro.com/gsxg4z7to5u My art was NOT a good fit.  I sold one set of cards the entire day — to a student photographer who asked many questions about the “how to’s” of doing art shows. It was painful, no kidding, but there was a bright side, too. We learned to do our set-up with absolutely no pressure. When we were a half hour late getting the booth ready, no one cared.

https://www.modulocapital.com.br/velhclvr Lesson Learned: There IS a good time to do a non-juried show — the very first time out when you are a true newbie.

https://trevabrandonscharf.com/lnjxvtzeci Show #2: No matter what the weather forecasters have predicted for the weekend, take your severe weather gear. All of it. The puffy clouds may turn into a cloudburst, with accompanying 50 mph wind gusts. The most important part of the art booth is a quality tent and canopy that is weighted and secure.

here During the storm that appeared out of nowhere, Sherpa and I each hung on to a tent cross bar until the worst was over. The next week we bought enough lead weight to put 75# on each corner. Now my tent doesn’t move when the thunderstorms roll through. As far as tents and safety go, weights are essential. I didn’t quite understand how important this issue was until I saw my first air borne tent, my neighbor’s tent — which he abandoned when he sought shelter in his truck — crash landed too close for comfort.

follow url Lesson Learned: Prepare for any kind of weather. Have a quality tent and weight it appropriately.

Yep, Neighbor's Fallen Tent

https://www.parolacce.org/2024/09/18/xn8i89z166w Yep, It’s the Neighbor’s © 2010 Bo Mackison

get link Show #3: If you are doing a summer show, even in a state with a moderate climate like Wisconsin, prepare for hot weather. Really hot weather. Sooner or later, it will come. Bring water and plenty of it. Bring fruit, especially grapes which are easy to eat and not messy. Leave the diet soda and candy bars at home-especially the chocolate!

I also longed for a set of battery operated fans that attached to the crossbars of my tent. My neighbor artist had a few in his booth. Not only was he much cooler than we were, but his customers lingered longer looking at his art, a brief reprieve from the sweltering weather. And that’s always a good thing. Before the next show, I had invested in a couple of new fans!

Lesson Learned: Prepare for cold days. And hot days.

Part 4: More on the Job Training

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is living in Tucson for the next eight weeks, exhibiting her photography in art fairs, taking photographs in deserts and desert gardens, and blogging about photography, art fairs, and learning to live on her own. Her mantra is “Bo goes solo!”

https://www.fandangotrading.com/wvt2qhg2 About Bo Mackison

I'm a photographer, book-artist, traveler, naturalist, and creator of the Contemplative Creatives Journey, An Online Workshop and Community and follow site Desert Wisdom Cards and Workshops. Though often not well known, I find the desert a welcoming place - a healing space. Its mysteries and gifts transformed me several years ago. Since that first encounter, I return again and again to fill my well in what most people think of as a desolate region. I'd love to share my desert discoveries and wisdom with you. Please subscribe to receive my five part mini email course Cheap Msj Diazepam The Gifts of the Desert. It's my gift to you.

Comments

  1. The “Only do juried shows” tip is a big one that I learned pretty early. Not only is the quality of the “artists/vendors” low, but in my experience, so is the quality of the customer. Most of the people I have seen at “art and crafts” fairs are looking for a bargain. I often refer to it as a “garage sale” crowd. For the most part, these are people that are out looking to find a great deal, not someone who is looking for a fine art piece to add to their home.

    • Bo Mackison says

      Yes, there is a huge different in the buying mentality between the “get a cheap bargain” at a crafts fair and “buying fine art” at a juried fine arts and fine crafts fair. Art show applicant, be aware…

  2. I love the downed tent photo – I presume you didn’t see that in AZ. 🙂

    I’m enjoying your narrative, and I’ll catch up on some past posts – busy time for me now.

    • Bo Mackison says

      No, the tent came down in a Wisconsin storm. SO far, Arizona has been sunny and warm. We’re supposed to get rain this weekend–big conversation topic–and I’d welcome rain now. Rain now, desert flowers in abundance later!

  3. Wow! So much to learn! You and Sherpa were lucky to not be impaled by that tent – sheesh.

    • Bo Mackison says

      We did a lot of praying while the storm was tossing large items in the air, and sending lightning streaks too close for comfort!!!

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