Many an artisan participating in art shows has probably taken a gamble on a first-year show. This past weekend I participated in one such show. The venue was beautiful, the weather sunny and autumn golden, the products diverse and well made and displayed, but sales overall were a bit lackluster. As I have some past experience with this sort of thing, I decided that I would bring along some interesting props and do as many small paintings as I could. As I tend to be a reclusive studio painter, these paintings are never as polished as my studio paintings, but I enjoy doing them and they stimulate conversation with onlookers.
A couple of jewels for the day were:
1. I finished the above little painting and started another.
2. I had sales enough to cover my show expenses and a lovely buffet lunch was served.
3. I made a possible wholesale contact in another state.
4. I made two possible Art-Startz contacts for the spring.
5. I made a possible show contact for the summer.
6. I got a jump start on my inventory for the next 2 shows.
7. I met and talked with some wonderful people I would not have met if I'd stayed home.
8. The cards that were purchased will fly off into the world with kind words for people I'll probably never meet. Those kind words will make my images look even better.
So, given all that, how could I consider the hours I spent a waste of time. I don't. Thanks to all who made the day such a success.
