I started doing shows in June 2012. My first show, I sold $1600. After a little more than a year and 10 shows, I had two $10,000 shows, a $7000 and a couple of $2500 shows. I'm saying this only to say that I have reasonable success at art fairs. But, I'm not getting into some of the big shows and so this summer have been doing small shows and not getting close to the sales I made at the larger shows I've done. I didn't get into Ann Arbor, Old Town, Krasl and a few others which have great reputations. I get a lot of great feedback from shows after I do them but I can't get by the juries of the big shows.
If you look at my pieces, you will notice that they have a lot of tectures. Those don't show up well in photos even when professionally shot especially when a very short time is given to see them. I've attached an image or two and my booth shot.
My wall hangings are wood which is joined along curves and carved. Of course, it's not painting but it also isn't furniture or bowls or anything normally classified as wood. It really isn't even 2-D although that might be the closest category for me.
I've been entering in the wood category and since I'm not getting into the big shows, I'm wondering if my work doesn't fit the jurors preconception of "wood" entries and is discounted.
So, here's my questions: What could I do to increase my chances of getting into the big shows?
Replies
Difficult to judge from the images you uploaded, but there can be significant improvements. Overall your jury images are a little light and your booth picture is too light at the top and some of the panels are missing feet making it look a little strange.
If you want a real evaluation, send me your actual jury images and include your phone number in the e-mail.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Also: here's a couple more images I use or could use.
triptych sphere.jpg
DSC_0005.jpg
DSC_0027.jpg
Thanks Larry. That is amazingly kind of you. My phone number is 612-791-9251. Here's several images. I'm sending them in 800 dpi rather than the 1920 to save upload time. Let me know if it doesn't work.
Marc
PS: I redid the booth image including your ideas in your article. I'll send that in another reply.
DSC_0017.jpg
DSC_0011.jpg
DSC_0026.jpg
Also, if you'd care to look at my web site to see if that gives you any insight, it's www.marclamm.com
Marc