This is an exercise in improving. I'm sure many of you recognize the hallmarks of display that are "no-no's" at the big shows ... let's deconstruct/reconstruct it.
If this was your booth at a show do you think it can be improved? If so, how?
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Carrie, your work is beautiful, what I am not sure of is the "mix up" of colors from one to the next and style. Because I work in a different medium, I would arrange styles and colors from left to right. You have outstanding florals, start them on the right and progress the color nuances. They are more your warms, and start the cools on the right until they meet in the middle. If someone wanted to purchase more then one for a grouping, it would be difficult for them to do so and the thought may never cross their mind. So the type of arrangement I am suggesting may resolve in a multi-sale rather than an only one piece. It appears you do a "study" of an object and move on to another "study" of another one, however it's hard for me to follow that in either photo. But then I don't sell the type of work you have so I could be 100% wrong.
First off, Connie, this is a great idea. I've been on the road and not checking AFI (or any site) as much as I'd like this summer - have you been doing this for a while, putting a booth shot in and opening it for discussion? It's brilliant. I've gotten some great ideas from people already. Thank you, and I hope you continue this.
Second, I know I'm at the show to sell, but I am also at the show to advertise. A show is insanely cheap, effective, face-to-face advertising. So when I can contain myself and not hang every item I have with me, I remember this, and can tell people - if you're interested in sunflowers, I'd be glad to make a piece for you... or... I have another sunflower painting in the van, would you like to see it? .... or, I have lots of sunflower paintings on my website; take a look and see which ones you like.
Next year, I will have a book to keep in the booth, or a booklet to give to people, for sure.
Below are photos of my booth at the show in Wickford, RI. These are not "booth shots," but are just photos to help me figure out my display (I sometimes see better in a photograph than in real life, especially if I've been struggling with the display).
My neighbor at the show had all kinds of stuff stacked, thick and rich and high and low on the walls, and I admit, I liked it so much I thought I should try. Hence the first booth shot. I really didn't like it at all. So the lower shot was the booth weeded out. I had a good show, selling three big paintings!
I got a nice handmade photo album to put pictures in. I am going to use it for bridal jewelry, because I don't normally take any of that to shows because it's beaded jewelry. But in case the subject comes up, I can have the photo album handy.
Fighting the put it all out problem is very difficult for me. I have only originals. One way to put it out and not use display space is to use a book. Take one theme such as flowers or fruit and put a picture of most of the paintings in a book. The company www.shutterfly.com. makes beautiful books in various sizes that are quite cheap. You can now have a few dozen pictures ready for sale yet not cluttering up the display. I put the books on the table with a big label saying "other original X paintings in my inventory at this show"
Here's what I do. I understand this might not work for everyone. I'm a digital artist, so, I'm a printmaker and I offer my images in multiple sizes, both framed and unframed. I show just about all the images in a flip bin. I also bring lots of extra frames, ready for artwork to be inserted. When a customer picks out an unframed piece from the flip bin, I try to upsell them to a frame. If they bite, I pop it in a frame. I do, however limit my booth to one genre. Lately its the "Urban Punk" Series of environmentally themed surrealistic images.
Chris...it is good to have everyhing available and I have thought the same many times...but where do you draw the line? Unless someone is in a position that they cannot keep up with enough work to fill their booth there will always be a lot if inventory in reserve. I spend a lot of time in my shop constantly working and creating and found that I bring more of my work to a show than I can tastefully display...so I display some and keep the rest in containers to replace what I sell. I don't want to start needing a double booth
Hello All,
I have a "side note" question... I know about the concept "less is more" and I agree with it fully. But I always argue with myself about "but how will anyone know I have a such-and-such image if it's not showing?" Assuming the potential customer likes your work (genre, style, quality, etc.), so is a bone fide "potential", how can we make them aware that we do in fact have a "thing" when it's not showing?
--Chris
The one thing I see here, that I see often is table height. That's a dining table height not display height. That is also prime shop lifter height where the "5 finger discount shoppers" literally walk up with a bag on their side and "sweep" the goods into a bag and you don't see a thing. Get the legs lifted at least 6", so that it will catch your eye when certain hand/arm movements don't look quite right. Think in terms of the average shopper having to lift their hand above natural elbow height to reach your items. That movement will catch your eye.
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