Welcome to my 5 part series on the making of an art show artist!

Part I described my initial questioning about whether or not I could be an art show artist. In Part II, the answer was “yes, do it, but how do I start up?” Part III included a few of the lessons learned from “on the job” training, the real learning is in the doing.

Part IV continues with more lessons learned from the first year’s art shows, learning by doing MORE and MORE art fairs.

A breakthrough happened during our fourth show of the summer. I discovered the magic that happened when Sherpa and I each had our own jobs to do. There isn’t much space to maneuver in a 10′ by 10′ art show tent, and we were forever stepping on each others’ toes. I’d start to do a task and get interrupted. He’d try to finish the task, but it didn’t work as intended. I finally realized that if we each did specific jobs, there would be less confusion with better results.

Sherpa began going for the truck and trailer at closing time, leaving me to pack everything in an organized fashion, and life on the art fair circuit became more peaceful. We were able to get the work done in less time. And with more calm. Division of labor–a good thing to learn.

Our first large show (in Chicago) taught us a different kind of lesson. It’s an easy one to do. Take advantage of the amenities offered by the organizers of the shows. These added benefits may include booth sitters, free breakfasts, and delivered-to-your-booth bottled water for hot, humid summer days in the Midwest.

But the best amenity, and one that quite a few artists ignored, was the artists’ reception held the night before the festival opening. I’m not a party goer, but this is the kind of party I make sure I attend. These receptions are an excellent time not only to meet other artists who will often share their experiences, but it is also a prime time to meet the art patrons in the community.

These are the people who give their time and effort to make art happen. They are knowledgeable, friendly, and they love art! Definitely, they are people worth getting to know. Plus, it was a party! After setting up the booth in the mid-summer heat, food and drink was a great reward.

After a season of art festivals, we had the organization down. We were meeting other artists. And finally, I was getting more comfortable talking to the public. Sherpa is a natural at small talk; he could chat with a cement statue if given the chance. Me? Not so much. I made excuses for my shyness, listing plenty of reasons why I needed time to warm up to conversations. Or why I should avoid a conversation altogether.

Well, warm up time or avoidance are parts of my past. There isn’t enough time for warm-up exercises when customers are in your booth looking at your art. I had to carry on an intelligent conversation with my potential clients, or they would leave the booth, never knowing what they were missing.

It is up to the artist to educate the public about all aspects of your art, and you can’t do much educating by remaining silent, or ducking in the back of the booth. Or even worse, by reading a book or simply ignoring people and not engaging.

Neither Sherpa nor I read or ignore our visitors, but I saw quite a few artists sitting in the back of their booths, half hidden from sight, reading or working crossword puzzles, and never giving their customers even a hello. I also saw those same customers, feeling unwelcome, leave those booths quickly.

It took me quite a few shows before I did much more than smile and offer a friendly “hello” to people who came and looked at my art. A few more shows and I was doing so comfortably, and carrying on conversations. Now I feel confident approaching any visitor in my booth, and talking to them about my art. After all, photography is my passion, and who doesn’t love to talk about their passion with willing listeners!

You can teach an old dog new tricks! Or learn how it is possible for an introvert to be an artist on the art festival circuit!

Part 5–the wrap up.

If you have any questions about showing art at art festivals, or would like to know about a different aspect of art fair circuit routine, feel free to contact me. Use the contact form in the menu.