I know that I am not speaking for every patron but I noticed some interesting things happening last weekend at the two art festivals I went to.
There you are, beating yourselves up trying to make wonderful pieces of art that talentless people like me will want to buy. Well, I am pretty sure that at this point, there is no real formula for success, it is a crapshoot so make what you love, display it as nicely as possible and bear with us civilians while we wander through an art festival, hoping to find that special something that we can't live without.
My cousin cannot wear rings very easily, they bother her fingers. But, somehow, this weekend, she ended up buying three very thin stack rings. She had no intention of buying rings at the festival. These very cool rings were laid out on a table in front of the jeweler's booth, easy for anyone to try on. Maybe that is what did it, easy accessibility. This delightful man also showed her a thin twisted silver cuff. My cousin wears link bracelets, others get in the way. Well the bracelet fit perfectly and the jeweler made her an offer she couldn't refuse. So maybe it was price that got her to buy all these things that she normally doesn't wear.
We were walking past an oil painter's booth. I am totally color driven when buying most art. I saw this abstract, saw the price and decided to buy it in about 35 seconds. The price was right for me and it was already framed so all I had to do was hang it when I got it home. (the fact that I have about 8 unhung pieces is irrelevant). While talking to the artist, it turns out that he is from Florida. Asked him if he has shown in south Florida and he is pretty much a fixture at all three Las Olas festivals. Basically, this means that I have walked past his booth atleast 10 times in the past 10 years but never noticed him before. This was a case of his placing the right picture in the right place for me to notice it.
Clear as mud isn't it!
Comments
You're right Geri - its that moment of kismet when you see the piece meant for you! Wonderful when you see it happen :)
Thanks to your help.
I wrote this yesterday and apparently did not hit return. Twice now I have had images that flew out of the booth to the point that I would bring two framed spares and and most likely sell out of it in a weekend. Then it stopped dead, completely. I have three now in the van, last year I sold 17, this year nothing. I cannot figure it out. Then there was this image that was okay but I wasn't particularly crazy about but because I arrange things by color and subject it fit perfectly in the display. It is selling at least every other show. I have to practically clamp my hand over my mouth before I say "are you sure you want THAT one?" I cannot figure it out. But I try to hang enough work that something catches someone's eye and it's working.
Jacki, I really have no artistic ability. I buy what I like and HGTV has helped me learn how to arrange it.(now if they would stop making rooms look so sterile by shopping at Pottery Barn and Gallerie Z)
Geri, you apparently have a good eye for art. Even if you think you are talentless, choosing pieces that go well together takes a good eye. There is probably an artists way down deep inside of you just trying to pop out.