I just did my third art fair this weekend. The first two where amazing, this one - not so much. I am having issues getting into better art fairs. I think my work is up to snuff, but I could be wrong. I think my biggest challenge is deciding what to enter as my jury images. I do many different subject matters in the same style and I sell them pretty equally so I don't like to limit myself to just bringing marbles or cityscapes.
My question is what images to I submit. Do I submit 4-5 different subjects, or one subject. It is my biggest challenge. The subjects I do are Marbles, Still Life/Florals, Cityscape, and Abstracts. A sampling can be seen on my facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/kaleart and my website www.vankale.com
Any advice opinions are welcome. My Art Fair Insiders page also has work samples on it.
Replies
Basically, Kale, you've got nice work, and a nice style. Tim's advice is very good, and to the point.
The marbles are nice, and may sell well, but they are somewhat dull as the key images in a jury presentation. If you can put together a presentation that shows a cohesiveness in style and color, but not necessarily subject, that would highlight your style over your subject matter.
You are absolutely right, that three or four of all the same subject, but different in color or composition, is going to be too monotonous. I think you're on the right track, but it may take a couple of years to get there. A lot of artists flail around trying this and that. The problem with that is that there is no consistency in juries, and throwing different sets of images at different juries tells you nothing when you fail. A better percentage of successes with a group of images will provide positive feedback. There are so many variables that it's impossible to test them all within the span of a show season.
The best tactic is to sequence your presentation so that your strongest images flow from beginning to end, and support your elevator pitch (also known as the artist statement). The quicker the jury can see what you are doing, and relate to it, the more success you will have. It's a little like telling a joke: you need a strong setup to get their attention, some exposition in the middle, and a thigh-slapper of an ending.
If you can't decide which images work best to represent the work you are doing, you may need to re-evaluate why you paint specific subjects, and how those subjects relate to each other. Is it color, composition, subject matter? What is it about marbles that is like cityscapes and florals? Are you just making images because you think they will sell? Or are you doing it because you love marbles in the city? Is what you're doing unique in some way? Use your slides to illustrate those points and you are on your way to a better presentation.
Precisely, Kale. The heart of this business is not about making "products", it is about being an artist, the thrill of making new work and loving what you are doing.
Here is a link to my Art Fair Insiders page that has some of the images I am considering or have entered with.
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profile/KaleVanLeeuwen
That doesn't work because they run as a slide show. You can't see the images arranged next to each other to see how they work for jurying.
I want to see the images you think should be your jury set. And maybe a few other related images.
Larry Berman
The best way, Kale, so many people can see them is to not add them here as attachments, but to show the images themselves in your discussion. Directions are right here on how to do that: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/page/start-discussion-or-post
The booth - The work needs to be somehow arranged in a logical way by theme or color. Also remove the small pieces from the back wall.
If you want to have your jury images critiqued don't send people off looking for them on various web sites. Either create a page of jury images on your web site and post a link or include your jury images in the thread. Or you can send them to me for a free evaluation.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Tim - thanks for the feedback. My style is very similar regardless of the subject matter. I have thought about submitting all marble paintings, as that is my big seller - that and the cityscapes. But then I though that would be too boring. This year I ended up using variety of subjects that all related to each other, but have not had great luck getting into better shows - however most of year I was using a poor booth shot - which was my biggest mistake.
Omaha NE Art Fair Booth 2.jpg
Omaha NE Art Booth.jpg
Kale, Within your category you should submit images of the work or type of work you intend to exhibit/sell at that particular show. And your booth shot should show your booth with that type of work also. You typically have 3-5 images of your work through which to convey style and range... subject is less important if styles are similar. Try to avoid the temptation to show too many styles or subjects, as it tends to weaken your presentation. There's an old saying "Amateurs fish with a net... Pros bait for the fish they want to catch."
Tim Reilly
Director, The Cotton South