If it's 100 plus degrees, it's time for the Boulder show on Pearl Street. The show has a nostalgic draw for me, 7 years ago it was my first time to hang my stuff on the tent walls.Man, how much I have learned in those few years.
The show itself varies in success according to the weather.If it's hot sales are not. While we did OK this year ($3K/2 days) last year was cooler (over $5K), but the average for us is somewhere in between.No large work was sold, and I didn't see anything go walking past in the arms of the crowd. The quality of the show varies as well, this year I was next to a wonderful German woman, whose work was hand painted ceramic gothic birdhouses.There were more than a few newspaper tents filling up empty spaces,most of the veterns know to pay the additional $100 for a preferred spot on the mall.The asphalt east and west had no shade and it seemed to be primarily the newbies down there.
The show has gone thru 3 directors over the last three years, hard to tell what the show's direction will be (fine art seems to be slipping a bit) so we shall see.The crowd is tourist, not necessarily art buying but it sure feels good to see the mall packed with people. There were a few of the heavy hitters, but oddly enough they were all right next to each other.Two landscapers with 10X20 booths in direct competition, and two that show indegenous peoples in exotic locations were side by side.Whoulda driven me nuts.
The best part for me was the people.Boulder is known for being a bit on the left side of liberal, and their tolerance for street people means there is never a dull moment on the mall.In addition to the flaming juggelers,wandering troubadors and eccentric balloon vendors, this years prize for odd goes to the Marty Feldman look alike in the fuscia unitard riding a unicycle.His schtick was to quietly sneak up from behind an unsuspecting tourist and startle them.He would then ride off, a cooting and flapping his arms while Aunt Edna from Omaha wished she hadn't agreed to try Dr. Leary's "special sugar cube" back in the 60's.
The best part for me was being able to hang with my boys a bit.Stevo is my partner in the show circuit, and Wonderboy (Jon) came down from the mountains for the day. Like I said, time sure does fly.Last I looked these kids were playing in the sandbox. Now young men, they have helped each other thru some difficult times.Brothers in every sense. BTW: Stevo is spoken for but Jon (Mountain biker,fly fisherman,musician and gainfully employed carpenter is currently available)
I was pleasantly surprised to see a good friend,Texas Steve Hunsicker as a neighbor. Steve does some high end 3 dimension work,just wonderful stuff but he is one of the gems on the circuit. Met him a few years ago in a mountain show that pretty much sucked. No sales, rain every hour on the hour. There was plenty of bitching and moaning, but this guy was simply a joy to get to know. Steve will admit the shows can be tough, but we are there by choice and despite our best efforts to pick the good ones,weather, the economy,bad luck can all conspire to make things painful.He taught me being a good neighbor means being a good person.We also have a choice to be miserable, but his is always to make the best of things.Love the guy.
So we traded war stories, and the conversation went to reading body language.I think I am pretty good at this. Woman in the tent, man with the stroller.No way is she getting to buy anything.Man in the tent, woman with the stroller.Same thing. Guy with hands in pockets.Nope.Hand on chin, finger aside the nose.Something's cooking.Full shoulders square to a piece with hands on hips,good sign.A half turn, nope. Not gonna happen. So, to show Texas my expertise I "read" the people in the booth for him."See the guy in the black T? Just a looker.Too young, and has one hand in his pocket.No way will he buy". Yep. I sure know what I'm doing.Then Stevo yells me over" Pops: This guy (black T shirt) just bought a large canvas and wants to talk to you about the work". Yep. I'm still learning.
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