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art
October 2009 
There's no success like failure
Posted on Jul 21st, 2009
by 
Jw
Jw
Saturday I did my first "upclose and personal" Art Festival/Craft Fair. I had giclee prints and what I call, "Artisan rope," for sale. After counting my money I found that I came home with $14 gross proceeds. The only items I sold were $1/piece friendship bracelets to the 10 year olds.
I noticed that folks were not even coming by my work to take a look. I mentally went through all that self-doubt and self-flagellation. Am I sending out the wrong vibe? What could be the reason for seemingly being invisible? My thoughts became desperate. Hell, next time I'm hiring the company that attracted Beetlejuice to bordello with flashing neon arrows pointing my way, the seductive smell of fresh baked cookies to lure folks, you name it.
I started imagining the paintings as flowers and the people as hummingbirds. The paintings were all yelling, jumping up and down clamoring for attention. My four measly quieter giclee prints were in the corner meekly and shyly saying in whimpy little voices, "Hello. We're here. We're smaller than all the rest; our colors are more subtle but you might find one of us pleasant to have hanging around your house."
They (the people) seemed to be on a track. They would look at the display of art cards placed very near the walkway and then they'd beeline right past me to the very large painting of a bright red apple on the other side. (And if Amy or Linda read this, I am not at all being negative toward you for your stuff being so distracting. I truly believe that the success of my fellow artists is my success as well.)
After a while, curiousity dominated my thoughts and I began watching the hummingbird people without attachment to an outcome. I was amused that I would equate fellow humans with little winged creatures of sub-human intelligence.
I wasn't able to move the partition holding my giclee prints but by moving my chair closer to the walkway, spinning wool to get attention and smiling at the oncoming hummingbirds, I was able to direct a bit more attention toward my shy flowers.
I feel a bit conflicted by advocating consumption but even artists need to eat. And you might be thinking, "Gee, this gal is suffering from some real confusion about money." You'd be right. I am at this very moment reading Brent Kessel's book, It's Not About the Money, to help get myself straightened out.
Other things I learned, that is, if you want to sell stuff:
-This is a great way to get instant feedback. I know exactly now, which of these four images is the most popular with folks here in north Idaho and which is not.
-Instant gratificaton rules. Hard to sell a winter item in the summer.
-Learn from the supermarket check-out lines. Place impulse items within reach.
-I started sensing that even though a picture is worth a thousand words, people still like to hear the story of the artwork and making that story a good one can be important.
-The feng shui of the venue can be deadly.
I only made $14 but came away with insight worth much more.
Tell me which is your favorite?
I noticed that folks were not even coming by my work to take a look. I mentally went through all that self-doubt and self-flagellation. Am I sending out the wrong vibe? What could be the reason for seemingly being invisible? My thoughts became desperate. Hell, next time I'm hiring the company that attracted Beetlejuice to bordello with flashing neon arrows pointing my way, the seductive smell of fresh baked cookies to lure folks, you name it.
I started imagining the paintings as flowers and the people as hummingbirds. The paintings were all yelling, jumping up and down clamoring for attention. My four measly quieter giclee prints were in the corner meekly and shyly saying in whimpy little voices, "Hello. We're here. We're smaller than all the rest; our colors are more subtle but you might find one of us pleasant to have hanging around your house."
They (the people) seemed to be on a track. They would look at the display of art cards placed very near the walkway and then they'd beeline right past me to the very large painting of a bright red apple on the other side. (And if Amy or Linda read this, I am not at all being negative toward you for your stuff being so distracting. I truly believe that the success of my fellow artists is my success as well.)
After a while, curiousity dominated my thoughts and I began watching the hummingbird people without attachment to an outcome. I was amused that I would equate fellow humans with little winged creatures of sub-human intelligence.
I wasn't able to move the partition holding my giclee prints but by moving my chair closer to the walkway, spinning wool to get attention and smiling at the oncoming hummingbirds, I was able to direct a bit more attention toward my shy flowers.
I feel a bit conflicted by advocating consumption but even artists need to eat. And you might be thinking, "Gee, this gal is suffering from some real confusion about money." You'd be right. I am at this very moment reading Brent Kessel's book, It's Not About the Money, to help get myself straightened out.
Other things I learned, that is, if you want to sell stuff:
-This is a great way to get instant feedback. I know exactly now, which of these four images is the most popular with folks here in north Idaho and which is not.
-Instant gratificaton rules. Hard to sell a winter item in the summer.
-Learn from the supermarket check-out lines. Place impulse items within reach.
-I started sensing that even though a picture is worth a thousand words, people still like to hear the story of the artwork and making that story a good one can be important.
-The feng shui of the venue can be deadly.
I only made $14 but came away with insight worth much more.
Tell me which is your favorite?
Fire
Water
Earth
Air
Access: Public
