I live in the beautiful mountains of WV. I usually travel to OH, PA, MD, VA, NC, & SC. I am actually considering doing a show this year in GA! I have a friend that lives in FL that has invited me to come down to stay & do a few shows in the winter there.
I'm just curious, of how far other Artists travel & what their limits on travel are on traveling to shows?
Of course for me I would need to create another body of work to appeal to more southern areas.....as soon as I figure out what southern people are into LOL I do scroll sawn portraits of wildlife, flowers, & outdoor sports mostly.
Someone once told me I should combine vacation with a show that is a bit further away.....
Any ideas would be appreciated,
Mel
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
What Leo said. About the furthest I go is 1500 miles one way. I'm from Michigan, and do shows as far away as Denver (Cherry Creek), Houston (Woodlands, Bayou City) and Florida (Gasparilla, Winter Park). I'd like to head up to Bend/Portland/Crested Butte, but the travel mileage starts to get prohibitive for the potential sales.
I often combine shows with shooting new work mid week. The Midwest shows such as Kansas City, Des Moines and Texas work well for that. I do ess on the east coast because my work doesn't do particularly well there.
One criteria that figures into it for me is the quality of the artist bathrooms. ;-)
Personally, I don't travel more than 150 miles to shows, although I'd like to stretch it out a little further. I have to figure in the cost of motels, and that usually means I stay closer to home. If I was travelling more, I'd look for shows that I can book back to back in an area, or in a similar direction. That would mean extra nights mid-week, but as a wildlife and nature photographer, I'd be shooting during the week.
Have you done shows in the Norfolk, VA area? This year the city is combining the Ocean View Art Show and the Stockley Gardens Fall Art Show and calling October 11 to 19 Norfolk Visual Art Week. There will be some mid-week events, possibly even a chance to show and sell your work mid-week.
I'm from NW Montana (by Glacier Park). The furthest I've gone is to Utah but in two months I'm driving to Houston, TX (yup, 31 hr drive. WOOT WOOT). It's a major gamble on breaking even BUT I've 1. never been to Texas but always wanted to visit and 2. always wanted to do an epic road trip. So I figure if the show is a wash at least I've done two things I've always wanted to do!!! :D
Plus, I think my work might fit in well in the SW art scene...who knows, maybe people don't want to see more paintings of horses, cows, bison, and cowboys but then again, maybe they will. My MT western images might resonate with some people.... You just never know when or where you'll meet the right buyer for a certain piece.
Mel Hamrick > Kim ShirleyFebruary 15, 2014 at 3:09am
I've gotta know how your trip goes, it sounds exciting! That would have to be so much fun! I know what you mean on the southwestern based stuff.....I have a lot to, only my medium is wood instead of painting. I bet two days before your trip you will stop sleeping over excitement! Don't forget your camera. I'm not much of a photographer but I love snapping pics while on vacation as inspiration for new work. It really only takes one buyer to make a trip worthwhile & sometimes it's after a show. (Stock up on business cards)
Someone once told me it's all in your mindset. If you go to the show feeling successful there's no way you can fail. Always remember to listen to what your subconscious is telling you, it will never steer you wrong.
Feeling excited for you,
Mel
Kim Shirley > Mel HamrickFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:36am
Thanks Mel!!!!
Ohmy! I already have a list of things to bring because I don't want to forget anything!!!! ha ha Especially my camera. I bet you're right about me not sleeping over excitement so close to the show. It's going to be so fun, I just know it.
I loved what you said about your mindset at a show...SO TRUE! It's almost like the universe justifies/rewards your attitude. :) I'm gonna remember this...and listening to myself. Thank you!!!!
If you end up traveling far for a show I wish you the best of luck!!! That is awesome your friend in FL is there for you giving you the option to do some florida shows. I hear some are just fabulous, but never been as an artist or a buyer so what I know is all through the grapevine. Gosh, this is so fun what we do! Lots of work, hit or miss sometimes but so rewarding!
I don't know what your medium is but I never changed work from show to show or for different locations. Up until about ten years ago my goal was to get into the best shows in the country, so the distance I drove was irrelevant. The best shows generated the most money.
Living in western PA, I did shows in Texas and Florida regularly. Never got into Cherry Creek but did Omaha a few times.
Replies
What Leo said. About the furthest I go is 1500 miles one way. I'm from Michigan, and do shows as far away as Denver (Cherry Creek), Houston (Woodlands, Bayou City) and Florida (Gasparilla, Winter Park). I'd like to head up to Bend/Portland/Crested Butte, but the travel mileage starts to get prohibitive for the potential sales.
I often combine shows with shooting new work mid week. The Midwest shows such as Kansas City, Des Moines and Texas work well for that. I do ess on the east coast because my work doesn't do particularly well there.
One criteria that figures into it for me is the quality of the artist bathrooms. ;-)
Personally, I don't travel more than 150 miles to shows, although I'd like to stretch it out a little further. I have to figure in the cost of motels, and that usually means I stay closer to home. If I was travelling more, I'd look for shows that I can book back to back in an area, or in a similar direction. That would mean extra nights mid-week, but as a wildlife and nature photographer, I'd be shooting during the week.
Have you done shows in the Norfolk, VA area? This year the city is combining the Ocean View Art Show and the Stockley Gardens Fall Art Show and calling October 11 to 19 Norfolk Visual Art Week. There will be some mid-week events, possibly even a chance to show and sell your work mid-week.
Living in New England, we can fill our schedule within a 6 hour drive from home. So VT, MA, NH, ME, CT, RI, NY, NJ have plenty of shows.
I'm from NW Montana (by Glacier Park). The furthest I've gone is to Utah but in two months I'm driving to Houston, TX (yup, 31 hr drive. WOOT WOOT). It's a major gamble on breaking even BUT I've 1. never been to Texas but always wanted to visit and 2. always wanted to do an epic road trip. So I figure if the show is a wash at least I've done two things I've always wanted to do!!! :D
Plus, I think my work might fit in well in the SW art scene...who knows, maybe people don't want to see more paintings of horses, cows, bison, and cowboys but then again, maybe they will. My MT western images might resonate with some people.... You just never know when or where you'll meet the right buyer for a certain piece.
Someone once told me it's all in your mindset. If you go to the show feeling successful there's no way you can fail. Always remember to listen to what your subconscious is telling you, it will never steer you wrong.
Feeling excited for you,
Mel
Thanks Mel!!!!
Ohmy! I already have a list of things to bring because I don't want to forget anything!!!! ha ha Especially my camera. I bet you're right about me not sleeping over excitement so close to the show. It's going to be so fun, I just know it.
I loved what you said about your mindset at a show...SO TRUE! It's almost like the universe justifies/rewards your attitude. :) I'm gonna remember this...and listening to myself. Thank you!!!!
If you end up traveling far for a show I wish you the best of luck!!! That is awesome your friend in FL is there for you giving you the option to do some florida shows. I hear some are just fabulous, but never been as an artist or a buyer so what I know is all through the grapevine. Gosh, this is so fun what we do! Lots of work, hit or miss sometimes but so rewarding!
I don't know what your medium is but I never changed work from show to show or for different locations. Up until about ten years ago my goal was to get into the best shows in the country, so the distance I drove was irrelevant. The best shows generated the most money.
Living in western PA, I did shows in Texas and Florida regularly. Never got into Cherry Creek but did Omaha a few times.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Well, I have a day job that restricts my travel. So right now there is no travel all over the country.
I am in Ypsilanti, MI and I travel to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and throughout Michiagn