Help for friends who aren't making it

I have learned so much from people on this forum. One of the best things about being in art shows are the friends you make. Lately a couple of friends have confided in me that they NEVER make money at shows. I was shocked. Everyone has bad shows but I don’t know how people can put good (and hard earned ) money into shows that never pay off. A couple are newbies and I get that, but one couple I have seen in regional shows for years.

Since I do ok, they ask me for advice. I’m not big on this but as I look at their booth the one thing that is obvious to me is the lack of visual continuity and artistic vision. And by that I mean drawings are pencil and some water color, flowers and then landscapes. Some are framed and some matted. Wood frames and black frames and most smallish. Two photographer friends have the same problem. Some nature shots, some urban shots, some flowers and a few tiny bugs.

I would really like to see my friends do better. Is there somewhere I could point them? I suggested they walk around and look at the other booths and identify the visual themes and the display techniques that help unify the artist’s point of view. But I could tell they didn’t see what I was talking about.

One suggestion is kinda my limit when people ask for advice. I do not see myself as an expert, more as a student who is always willing to learn. So I guess what I am asking is, where could I point to, so that they get the help they need to turn a profit?

1. Take pictures of your booth and work so you can look back and find out why or why not you did/did not do well at past shows. I sold two saddles at a Steamboat Springs, CO show ($10K) in the early 1990's,but didn't go back for several years because other stuff was "slow". It was slow because I saw from photos I didn't have much inventory back then. It's now a solid $3-$4K show for me.

2. Take a community college class in accounting. If you want to do this as a full time BUSINESS, you need to understand the nuts and bolts. I've seen some talented saddle makers tank because they always ran off to some new workshop, but they never learned how to make what they learned profitable.

Home from Jackson, WY show and will post review soon.

Replies

Marie Solon Coerver July 21, 2015 at 2:45pm

Wow - I made a lot of mistakes starting out. Learned by watching others. I'm putting together a list of tips for some friends just starting to do fairs and shows. I would welcome any suggestions. Even pretty basic stuff, like tablecloths, plastic bins for storage and transport, snacks, etc. Thanks
Robin Chard July 16, 2015 at 7:53am

Somewhere this thread took a turn. Yes these are not people without talent. Just unfocused presentation and scattered efforts. Alison Thomas I think that's a great definition of visual continuity. And Richard L. Sherer, you hit the nail on the head, especially about accounting. This is my weak spot as well. Why doesn't art school give you "accounting for artists" That would be so great. Right now I'm planning a trip to Florida in February. There shows run much higher than the regional shows here. Projecting how much I would have to produce and how much of that will go up in fees and expenses is not easy. Now that I have some good advice I'll send my friends a link to this. Thanks All!
- Robert Wallis > Robin Chard July 16, 2015 at 10:27pm
  
  Here's an excellent reference text that should be required reading for anyone contemplating a career in the arts, How to survive and prosper as an artist without selling your soul. I mentioned using this as a text for a grad class back about 15-20 years ago and the faculty advisors looked at me as though I had horns growing from my head. The book addresses many of the points in this thread.
  - Robin Chard > Robert Wallis July 17, 2015 at 10:06am
    
    Thanks I'll check it out. It's funny I started this to pass it on to my friends but I find myself interested in all the advice. Robert, will I see you at Madison Chautauqua or Midway?
    - Robert Wallis > Robin Chard July 17, 2015 at 10:31am
      
      My next three shows are in August starting with a little one in Noblesville, IN on the first weekend, then following week in Kettering, OH, then Levi Commons up in Toledo, OH. After that, it'll be the Garlic Festival on Labor Day weekend in Bloomgton, IN, then Penrod in Indianapolis.
      - Robert Wallis > Robert Wallis July 17, 2015 at 11:12am
        
        I guess I should have said I won't be in the Madison Chataqua, or Midway. I'll apply to Francisco's Farm in Midway again next year. I have a couple of shows in October; a new little on Monument Circle in Indy, then the last one of the year is the Bluffton Seafood Festival in South Carolina.
Richard L. Sherer July 15, 2015 at 1:54pm

1. Take pictures of your booth and work so you can look back and find out why or why not you did/did not do well at past shows. I sold two saddles at a Steamboat Springs, CO show ($10K) in the early 1990's,but didn't go back for several years because other stuff was "slow". It was slow because I saw from photos I didn't have much inventory back then. It's now a solid $3-$4K show for me.

2. Take a community college class in accounting. If you want to do this as a full time BUSINESS, you need to understand the nuts and bolts. I've seen some talented saddle makers tank because they always ran off to some new workshop, but they never learned how to make what they learned profitable.

Home from Jackson, WY show and will post review soon.
Alison Thomas July 15, 2015 at 9:42am

I think the definition of visual continuity would be if I can look at a piece without the artist present and know whose work it was. You also might tell them to talk to other artists in their medium that they don't know. Two of the best pieces of advice I ever got about shows came from artists I didn't know who were brutally honest with me. It's hard to be brutally honest with friends. Have them put a photo of their display up here and ask for a critique.
- Wendy Jensen > Alison Thomas July 17, 2015 at 10:36am
  
  Alison, I like what you say here. i am one who has done a couple of shows with little success.
  
  I posted a booth shot and started a discussion here http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/booth-review-help-pleas...
  
  I would be very interested in your feedback.
Robin Chard July 15, 2015 at 8:57am

I know when I look back on my first few years, heck they're sure looking better than I did. I was making everything I could. My booth was laughable. It was a slow shedding of items in my inventory. My necklace are ok but don't sell well ( I never wear them personally ) my earrings, well suck. Hey I should just do rings! It was a long road to figure out my path. Part of it is because I love doing different things. I do paint. And have sold some. I was a professional photographer for years ( journalism) and I like to make pottery. These are things I enjoy, But this is a buisness. You have to find your path and focus. Then things will start to fall into place. I knew when I started getting into the bigger shows regularly i was on the right path. Thanks for all the help I'll pass it on.

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