Is anyone reading this doing Early American, Pennsylvania-Dutch inspired work or primitives? The contemporary shows snub us and the traditionnally-oriented promoters are becoming few and far between. Yet I hear so often from customers that they love us. At least in years past I sometimes was accepted into a contemporary show (for variety?) and can remember customers telling me, "Oh, you are what we really want!" It was indeed gratifying. Of course, that was also back when people had money to spend. But these days I feel like a poor, little orphan. It has been an interesting experience to apply to A-list contemporary shows and be rejected by all but two. And accepted into a very prestigious traditionalist show.
With Goodrich all but gone, we seem to be left with Country Living and Barn Star. They do a fine job, but please tell me somebody else is out there! We traditionalists have a special message and a special following. As with everyone else, we so want to get who we are - as presented by the art we do - to the people who are on our wavelength.
I would really love to hear how you traditionalists are faring, your struggles and successes, and how you see yourself in today's art world.
Comments
Thank you Jacki and Geri, too. Lori, I did Sugarloaf in Maryland with indifferent results last year, but pretty good in 2002. And thank you, Jennifer, for the suggestions. Wish I'd known about American-Artists a long time ago. I think Market Square is Goodrich. Or has it changed? Problem is I have been stuck in a rut for so long doing the same shows, and as sales plummeted since roughly 2007 I haven't really pushed the envelope enough. This year I thought it would be interesting to throw my hat into the top-tier shows just to see what would happen. Well, I did. Back to more reinventing. The help all of you are offering is inestimable. What a blessing this forum is!
Thank you so much, Larry. Right now after a string of snubs I have been wondering if I need to rethink everything. Actually, I make original etchings from which the color lithos were produced. I have 63 images, which is a lot to get onto a website. I am going to put up seven images that are original etchings that happen to include my jurying pieces as soon as possible. Interestingly, twice recently I was "juried" by individuals perusing my website (invitational shows) and will be doing one of those.
Weird. I didn't see the profile information until I visited your personal page on my iPad.
Wonderful work. If you're applying to the right shows, I fail to see an issue with your subject matter. It's unique and different and should appeal to any of the jurors who jury the high end shows.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Jacqueline, I am sorry that you have been treated like that by other artists. I don't know how anybody could sit there while you struggled away. Not all artists are like that.
Christine, your work is beautiful. You have very nice work. Hang in there both of you.
Actually I did but I don't see a link to her web site. But I do see a lot of admin options and I think it's obscuring some of the other stuff I should be seeing.
Larry Berman
Wow Christine, your work is beautiful. Art Festivals don't always make the smartest selections for the shows.
Larry, I am surprised at you, click on Christine's picture and you will be sent to her page where you can then click on her website and see her wonderful lithographs.
What exactly is your medium?
I have a friend that paints primitives and has always done well:
http://www.stevenkleinart.com
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Hi Christine, I would think you would fit well into the Sugarloaf shows. I never did well with them but I know there are still a few people who do. Maybe try the Oaks (PA) location.