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A bundle of nerves

Posted by Jennifer Donald on July 16, 2010 at 8:07am in Questions & Answers for New Members
Hi all.   I'm doing my 4th show tomorrow.  I know my paintings are "good enough". I know I should be confident. I know people really like my work.  Just how the heck do I get past the freakin NERVES??!

I get so anxious over this.  Getting out and meeting people has always made me uncomfortable, and the odd thing is that I have no problem at all with criticism of my work or whether someone dislikes it. I am anxious about making sales but I have a WONDERFUL mentor/artist who has been a godsend.

Just.......does this anxiety ever go away?

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Replies

  • April Chapman August 12, 2010 at 3:15pm
    Hey jennifer,

    I am glad to know that I am not the only one. I can't speak for Robert (my husband who is the actual artist), but I AM NERVOUS AS HECK!!!! I am a new mom with a 2yr old and a 5 month old. I have pre-show jitters in addition to worrying about the kids. (We are leaving them at home with my mom.) I don't want to take any anxiety meds bc I'm still nursing, but boy am I nervous. (I'm prone to anxiety attacks!!!) What if we forget something? What if people don't buy anything? I am extremly socialble, but for some reason, I clam up in settings where I have to "sell." I don't know why. I'm also freakin out about setting up, parking, where to stand? Should we sit? Should we just let people browse uninterrupted? Heck I don't know. Our first juried show is next month and as excited as I am, I have to admit that I am nervous. I guess this is normal. I will let you know how I was able to sleep when we get back from the show.

    Best of luck to you and know that you are not alone!

    April
    www.visionsbyrc.com
  • MICHAEL ALAN STIPEK July 20, 2010 at 12:35am
    Jennifer, I've done over 700 juried art shows in 33 years and I still get little sleep the night before, even if I had spent a tiring day setting up. I mostly think about how I'm going to hang my work, since I've always felt energized by hanging it differently for different shows. I believe an artist who really loves what he or she is doing - creating new art and presenting it to the public - will always think about their presentation. It can be amazing how during a semi-sleepless night an artist can fine tune their booth appearance and still be ready that morning to charge out there and meet and greet the public!
  • Larry Berman July 18, 2010 at 8:51am
    I guess you'll get used to that also, or he will.

    Larry Berman
    Digital Jury Services
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100

    >The only down side was grumpy hubby who had to help me pack up LOL
  • Jennifer Donald July 18, 2010 at 7:00am
    Well I lived through it LOL. The market was AWESOME for the town's first one. Lots of people came out, a lot of the vendors did really well and I expect that next 3 will be even better. I had the entire executive committee for the county museum come to MY BOOTH to meet me and talk to me about a big show later! How cool is that??!!

    The only down side was grumpy hubby who had to help me pack up LOL
  • Leo Charette July 16, 2010 at 2:57pm
    Jennifer, yes, it does get better.

    Sleep was a problem in my first year and at times it still is (the anxiety). I truly think most of the anxiety is around anticipating the set up... especially if it is a new show; you just can't plan a routine; you have to go with the flow. The more I do shows, the easier it is to go with the flow and plan my routine on the fly.

    I remember the day after I had done my first few shows, I was literally exhausted and laid around napping most the next day. I think the anxiety had taken everything out of me. After 5 years, I'm hardly bothered by it now. A nice glass of wine night before a show (and during <;o), does the trick....ZZZZzzzzz

    I've never had a problem talking to the public, I'm actually energized by it. (One of the reasons I have very little hanging in galleries is that I miss the interaction with the public.) We are all different on this point.

    Best wishes to you this weekend! -- Leo
  • Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney July 16, 2010 at 12:33pm
    Jennifer,

    I've seen staked tents rise up from the ground and take flight on windy days. It's good to weight the tent even on grass with stakes, and even when the weather seems perfect. Of course, it can happen in severe weather despite having weights, but tents without them just don't fare as well.

    Barbara
  • Munks July 16, 2010 at 12:20pm
    Three shots of Jameson and a couple of sleeping pills for me - whether I have a show or not.
  • Jennifer Donald July 16, 2010 at 12:11pm
    Thanks Larry and Sheila. Once I get there and set up, I'm ok.... its the "pre" jitters that get so bad I run to the medicine cabinet for anxiety meds! Part of the problem this time is that I don't feel quite prepared as I should already be.

    I do have another question - about weights. My new tent comes with stakes to anchor it down (tomorrow I'll be on grass), but should you also weight the tent? The stakes seem to be holding pretty well and we have a good breeze blowing right now. Should I be cautious and add weights?
  • Sheila Evans July 16, 2010 at 11:46am
    I had the exact same problem--no worries about my artwork, but nerves about sales and talking to people. For the first few years of doing shows I couldn't sleep the night before and I had the butterflies the day of, then during the show it would get worse at night if I was either doing poorly or doing really well with sales. Eventually I ended up regularly taking Tylenol PM on pre-show nights. I've been doing shows for six years now, and last year I noticed I didn't use any of the Tylenol. You will get used to it. Hang in there.
  • Larry Berman July 16, 2010 at 8:18am
    There are some artists that never sleep the night before a show, or the night before leaving for a show. For some people it never goes away. Even after 25 years, the better the show I got into, the less I was able to sleep.

    It might not go away but you will get used to it.

    Larry Berman
    Digital Jury Services
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100
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