I've been following Art Fair Insiders for some time. When I realized I was returning and returning, I thought it was time I joined up. There is such a wealth of information here as well as a wonderfully thriving community!
I'm a Houston-based artist who has been exhibiting and showing at art fairs for only a couple of years. I'm still learning so much. Things like how the weight your tent so that you are not the only artist to blow over at Houston iFest! Yes, it happened but there was little to no damage and I got a chance to meet and spend time with two fantastic human beings and fellow artists who help me to put my tent back together and weight it properly.
My work is primarily abstract expression in nature. It's not always non-representational but it is almost always abstracted in some manner. I'm still developing what would be called a body of work although I have many completed pieces. I'm somewhat ADHD so I bounce around but I do tend to come back to certain themes so I'm getting there.
I plan to join in on the discussions and maybe even blog a little. I'm looking forward to being a part of the community!!
Vivian
Vivian Leflore Mora
VivianMoraArt.com
Replies
Hi and Welcome Vivian!
Before I joined, I had a mishap also. Gotta love those freak gusts of wind! My table blew over(this was before I even had a tent!) at my very first outdoor event. I spent two hours picking jewelry, specifically earrings out of grass, then worrying about how many ticks had decided I was now lunch!! The first year or three, I consider this as learning time.
Heck I'm STILL learning new tips and tricks- and this site is the best thing I ever did! It's great to be able to come here, discuss our chosen profession, ask a question, research in the forums, and chat with people who get what you do!
We have a great group here- funny, eclectic, sometimes silly, always informative- I look forward to your posts! My fave forum is the Equipment forum- you can spend a day or two there, just researching how to, and what works!
Thanks, Karole! I'm sure I will spend lots of time in the Equipment forum this year!
We are pleased to have you here, Vivian. So, you're the person they were talking about at iFest !! LOL. There was a report here about that, although if you've been hanging out here, you probably know that already.
People outside of this business would have no idea of how important it is to weight a tent properly. An outsider probably would read these discussions and think we are cracked. It is a step outside normalcy, but an interesting life. I caught an interview with Simon Baker the other day (The Mentalist) who has had a very up and down career and he actually said that was one of the things he likes about his life, never knowing where it is going to go and always planning on it going up.
Will you be doing more shows this year?
I am planning to do more shows this year. So far, all are local shows. I am looking forward to getting the road for the right show. I show regularly at First Saturday Arts Market here in Houston and have participated in White Linen Night in the Heights. I am not yet ready for Bayou City Arts Festival but I hope to be ready to submit in 2013.
Are there shows you would recommend for someone getting started like me?
Vivian
It surely would seem to me that Bayou City shouldn't be beyond you since you've been at iFest. Can you find the discussion here about iFest? You might reach out to whoever did and find the people who live near, the Texans. David Bjurstrom has been pretty active on the site and you might find Travis Lindenbaum who could give you some ideas. This time of year is the hot season for Texas shows, isn't it? I'd check all their websites, hit some of the shows and find your way. You can do it.
Hi Vivian and welcome aboard :) I like your bounciness!!!
Hi Annette! Thank you for the welcome note...I really like your designs also. I'm looking forward to being a part of Art Fair Insiders!