I am licking my wounds right now and avoiding my credit card statements after the last two shows where I didn't even make expenses. Two shows which by all research should have been at least paycheck shows, and I'm all out of Xanax. What is an artist to do?
Setauket, a little village of wonderful demographics right next door to my hometown on Long Island, sorely disappointed in many ways, especially with the nighttime booth robberies. But I'll address that in another blogpost. I did well as a rookie art show artist here in 2008, and expected (perhaps delusionally, in retrospect) a sort of prodigal-daughter-returns-home kind of show. It was a dogwalk. There are some shows that urge me to take up pet portraiture again, because THAT would have sold. The shoes were here. The weather was perfect. The wallets stayed firmly out of sight. And every breed in the AKC was here too. I had some maddening nibbles from two interior designers, who of course did not have their business cards on them, one said she had a client on the Gold Coast who"didn't want a landscape, but something beachy" and my giant conch "was perfect". Now I know how guys feel with a case of blue balls.
Well, ok, I thought, this whole trip so far has been one good show, one bad show. Onto Montclair, NJ. Let's go wrangle this monster RV over the Cross Bronx Expressway and the GW into the well-heeled Jersey suburbs.
Aaaack.
Did I say my prayers Friday night? Did I neglect St. Luke, the patron saint of artists? Should I have conducted a small animal sacrifice? Should I have bought far more cheap wine and cigarettes to numb the increasing panic as the hours ticked down to five o' clock Sunday?
Oy vey. (I can say this, I just back from Long Island and stuffed myself on good bagels and lox)
Howard and Rose did everything right. They advertised prolifically, and are wonderful people to boot. The show is in a great area. The weather again cooperated. But the dogwalkers ruled the day. Munks described in a recent post the vacancy in peoples' eyes, the absence of hope. My booth buddy neighbor said, "These people could walk off a cliff." I was not the only artist who didn't make expenses. I'm stymied, and more than a bit anxious. And I don't like the cheap red wine I'm drinking. I'm second guessing my decisions made earlier this year (completely sober, thank you) on where in New England to show my very New England beachy work. If it's true that it takes three years for an audience at a particular show to accept that you are here for real as an artist, well then, I'm screwed, because I'm basically unemployable at anything else.
So how do YOU prop yourself up after falling face first?
Comments
I did a very slow show north of Tampa this weekend, so I put this to the test with a half-dozen framed pieces that I haven't taken to a show for several years. On my iPhone I loaded two sound effects: a klaxon (old car horn), for when a bid was too low, and a ringing bell, for a bid I accepted. I sold three pieces, the customers were happy, and everyone had a good time. I wouldn't do this at a fine art show--(or would I? Hmmm....) but this was a pretty informal event.
Sometimes, I kinda feel like Private Joe in Idiocracy...
http://http://www.worstpreviews.com/trailer.php?id=8&item=3
I have never displayed business cards in my booth just for the taking. A few years ago I stopped giving out random requests for business cards. I noticed many of these people had fists full of artist business cards. Other artists cards and post cards were left on shelves in my booth. Have you noticed all the cards that are left in the restrooms or lying on the streets? Sales from those random request for cards were nonexistant for me. I think the majority of business card requests are simply "get out of artist booth free cards". If someone seemed truly interested in a certain piece and we have had dialog regarding a piece, I would make an exception and give them a business card. And yes, the spam I have received is another issue. Of course I always include cards with purchases and that's where my subsequence sales have come. Any thoughts?
I like your outlook Noel!
I've been rained out & blown over... But face it we have to be a lite nuts we go out there because we are blessed with a talent & we share it with the world ... Which inturn blesses us back, even if it's not monetarily. When things are down I change it up, add a few extra shows or drop prices... Dog walkers are like car show people... They are into ther thing... The art show just happens to be in their area... Probably on their dog walking route. You can't change city hall. Adapt yourself.
Sometimes I just visit more, say hi to everyone, give away something, maybe food, people like to eat & they talk longer so sometimes they buy... I sometimes send out send out emails, with invitations or discounts... wear a new out fit. Last show I sat on the ground & painted ... I had dozens of kids watching & parents & sales were great, I also won best of show. I just had fun & believed I was doing great. As I finished loading my van I had one last sale.
I figure I never know what God has planned for me so I just better be ready with my paint brush.
Have fun... Remember why we are creative...
One year a show could be up & down the next. I like 1 day show but I do a variety. I can make about the same whether 1 or more days... I discover I sell most from 10am-2pm, with that end of the day sale occasionally... When near dog people have dog things or car things near car peoe... Stretch yourself.... When things get bad i add More shows, more exposure, more exposure, more buzz, more buzz more $$$.... However take time to rest! Ps this is my only income! God bless all your sales, Noel Skiba
Wow! This has certainly been an interesting thread so far. I was very interested in the number of artists who are reassessing their products and offering items with lower price points. I had just decided in the last couple of weeks that I need to offer some mosaics with a lower price point. That's a little tough, since mosaics are pretty time consuming. Luckily, I came across a fair amount of free wood I'll be able to use as a base for some items. That'll certainly help keep the costs down. This discussion has really supported that decision.
I was also interested in the comments about getting out of your booth. I don't think most of the artist expressions at slow fairs look pissed; it's more of a glazed eyed desperate look. When I walk thru a fair, either as an artist or a customer, I know when I see that look the artist has had a bad show & I agree, I think the vibes being given off are really negative. I always have a huge smile on my face and a cheerful hello for anyone who comes into my booth or even pauses outside. I've had a lot of people come into the booth who looked like they were going to move on. I also changed my booth set up recently so that altho I'm sittng/standing behind display tables, I'm actually in the as opposed to sitting outside in the back. It seems like the booth is more inviting to people and I'm getting a lot more stopping in to look (and buy).
I've always been one of those afraid to leave my booth for fear of theft or missing a sale. (It's almost caused me to have a potty accident a time or two.) I think at those slow fairs, I will try getting out & walking around a bit. If nothing else, I think it's good to stand outside your booth during a fair and try to look at it like a customer would. A tweak here or there may make all the difference.
I'm almost thru with my 3rd summer doing art fairs. What an economy in which to start this endeavor! Thanks for all the encouraging words from everyone. I've decided to try again next year. This economy HAS to get better some time.
This is Caroline's thread so let's let the focus be on her concerns. She is a very talented artist and writer.
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