I am totally new to this art fair idea...never been in a show but am preparing to take my first official booth shot for a couple deadlines next week. I know the lighting hasn't been considered and I just put a couple items in the shot after I made the walls and stands. I am looking for any feedback other than that before I take a good photo in a couple days. Are the saw horses too busy/wrong color? Are they ok if I leave a couple walls raw wood? Was thinking of painting just the back wall. Do my poor mans panels pass?
Thanks, Steve
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Thanks Greg...I am agreeing with you. I was just proud I got my walls up a couple days ago! I like that birch! I painted the back panels white and the panel feet gray today...in 18 degree weather. I also primed, painted and sanded the sawhorses....I'm just gonna have to use them for a booth shot this week as I am running out of time for the St. Louis Mock Jury. I am thinking of using burlap some how to hide the horses...or just create a pedestal type long shelf to replace the three shelves. But if I ever travel with them it won't be easy. If anybody has any quick fixes for the saw horse dilemma let me know!!
Thanks
I think it would look better with some sort of cloth covering for the sawhorses so it won't look like a construction site. The sawhorses draw your eyes away from the display and distract the work you are trying to show.
I create sculpted wood art boxes and originally built my display with some nice natural finished maple. I much prefer natural finished wood but the natural finished display was too much of a distraction when combined with the natural finished wood boxes. I painted the displays white with the advice of Larry Berman and it really made the work stand out.
Read through my page of tips on taking your own booth picture:
http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/photograph-booth.htm
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Thanks Larry. Good tips.
I'm not crazy about the saw horses, but if you're using them, I'd suggest staining the 2x4's a consistent stain. Try using using a good stain that shows the grain of the wood and finish them for a quality look that includes staining and sealing. The saw horse clamps I'd suggest using spray primer and then either a black or white paint, and consider a sand or textured finish with clear acrylic top coat.
It's more work, but I wouldn't leave the panels raw. The panels and saw horse legs need to be complementary tones that make the booth stand out. Pay attention to small details such as the feet of your panels and finish them either by painting or staining tontie in with the rest of the boothNothing wrong with DIY and on the cheap, but the key is to not make look on the cheap. The image the booth projects will be who you draw in.
Thanks for taking a look. I love the idea of stain/paint the panel feet to match however I finish the saw horses. I do kinda like some raw wood showing somewhere since I think it matches the rawish feel of some of the sculptures that blend sticks and fired clay. You think that may be a distraction?
You have to think about your booth as being a mini-boutique out on the street and make it look high end if you expect to draw high end clietele. If you use raw wood somewhere, it has to be obvious it is an accent piece and not a main unfinished structural element. Perhaps a decorative panel across the top front of the booth that shows the character of raw wood without looking like an afterthought. Another possibility is a U-channel that slips over the tops of the wall panels to hold them together, and could either look like a rough hewn beam or a sort of crown moulding. These are just some ideas and food for thought here.
do you think treating the saw horses and panel feet as well as painting the back wall while leaving side walls birch may work?
Most displays have all three interior walls looking the same although there is no reason why you can't deviate from that. If the color is something that can make the display pop and give it an interior designer look, then go for it. I'd still do something with the birch to enhance it, stain and polyurethane or something. You might consider going to a paint store that caters to room makeovers and offers more than just paint. Some offer design help for choices of colors and help you with a 'look".
thanks