I’ve been told to adjust my expectations with this show. On any decent weekend show, you’ll get 50 to 80 thousand people walking through, walking their dogs and such; at this show, over ten weeks, you’ll get 80 thousand people walking through, but they are art buyers. So, the weekend seemed alarmingly sparse in comparison, but I’m assured that many of these people come back several times with their $12 seasonal pass, after they’ve measured their spaces. The crowd here comes to buy art, and quite a few of the artists are out of the gate strongly this year with a big sale in the first weekend, a change from last year. Many of these buyers have several homes, and they want their selections shipped to their other homes, so be prepared to deal with shipping. Home showings are also de rigueur, and those can turn into a terrific social event for the artist of honor. I can’t wait.
One goal I have set for myself here is to learn to paint faster. I am absolutely pea green with envy over the painters who can complete a large-scale painting in a week. And those painters out there who can do one, two paintings a night? Well, I just turn into the scene in the Exorcist, head-spinning, pea-soup spurting and all.
I realize I simply cannot afford to spend six months on a painting, no matter how tightly detailed I am. From observing some heavy hitters in the field (a big shout out to Kelby Love, who has generously given me painting tips and is as magnificent a wildlife painter as they come), it can be done without sacrificing detail and quality. So, I am taking advantage of the relative quiet and have churned out several full color sketches ready to go to a finish over the past few days. Today I worked productively on four different paintings, which I think is a record for me... my work is cut out for me.
Last night, we attended a private soiree given by a fine art photographer- Andy at Century Editions- for artists at the Expo. Andy, you know how to give a feast! If he can shoot as good as he cooks, he’s got my next works! How he got a hold of buffala mozzarella that good west of the Hudson is beyond me, but for a few drooling moments last night I was back home on Long Island...
I have been concerned about Framer Dude getting bored out here in the middle of nowhere and doing something really stupid, like buying a super-charged dirt bike and tear-assing across the desert and impaling himself on a cactus. But, he has once again utilized his many faceted skills and abilities and has become the stand-in grillmaster here at the Expo. The café king and queen here had to return home suddenly today for an emergency, and as Dude was being his usual yenta self, bored and helpful and inquisitive, he found himself the de facto short order cook with a recalcitrant gas grill and a stack of all-beef patties. Tonight, he’s counting his tips and checking out Kawasakis and Yamahas...I may still find myself picking cactus quills out of his butt in a month.
Marjorie and Billy, the thoughts and prayers of all artists here are with you, and no one beats your chili!
Here is my booth, lovingly set up by Framer Dude:
And many of us right before the bell rang at 10:00 on Thursday:
Comments
Phew! My long comment was saved after all!
One of the tricks to hiking in the desert: wear high top boots or long pants that hang over your sneakers. If you take off your shoes for any reason, stuff your socks in each one so a scorpion or snake won't make a home in one. I've awakened in the desert, looking a scorpion in the face that was sitting on my chest. Another time, I had to dig a rattlesnake off my high top boot because its fangs got stuck in the thick leather. I kept the rattles for years!
If you do hike in a remote area, make sure you have a companion. The mountains in the SW are full of the bones of "expert" hikers/mountaineers who thought they could go it alone. And if you are alone, stay around a populated trail and make sure your cell phone can get a signal. Many a cell phone has failed in narrow mountain trails. And, to repeat: lots of WATER!
The Grand Canyon: if you do get to go, arrange your schedule so that you can be at the South Rim for sunrise. It's (your deity of choice)'s own miracle! Don't do the the North Rim, it's wild, empty and I shared a patch of trail with a mountain lion there once. Fortunately, it was more scared of me than I was of it, at least I like to think so - I just froze in place, waiting to be a tasty meal!
Thanks Michael, for the hiking heads up-I've noticed dry mouth, dry skin, nosebleeds...and forget if you've had a couple of glasses of red wine, it's like you were sucking on a suede coat all night! I am not looking forward to seeing my first rattler or finding a scorpion in my boots.
I am really hoping we can get some time to see the cultural events this area has to offer, as well as go up to the Grand Canyon, but we have both been slamming busy all day, every day so far! There is much to see here, and it seems to be all far apart...
If you're a movie buff, Harkins Cinemas have a bunch of theatres in the area. Check out the two theatres near the big Fashion Square mall at the intersection of Camelback and Scottsdale/Goldwater Blvds. One is an art movie house; cool little films and good popcorn. Just north of the mall, maybe 3-4 miles, is a Trader Joe's, with very inexpensive wines. Helps you get through those long desert nights (or with treating your potential buyers to a nip or two).
Alas, the formerly outstanding arts district at 5th and Marshall in Scottsdale is now about 80% vacant. The Main St. area near there has a lot of western/Southwestern/native American based art - if you want a break from the long days in the big tent. Old Town Scottsdale has a funky aura, with some good, cheap eateries. The Scottsdale Center for the Arts has some good contempo art. Definitely plan to see the Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesen West compound north of Scottsdale. Very unusual architecture and a book store to die for. The Phoenix Art Museum might have a good exhibit to view.
Get a good map of the area, there are numerous hiking trails in the hills around Scottsdale/Tempe. Don't forget - if you're from more humid climates, ALWAYS take a bottle of water with you and watch out for snakes on those hiking trails; wear a hat at all times and use a lot of sunscreen. Winter in AZ is very dry and you're at about 3,000 altitude.
Caroline, it sounds like the education here for you will be as important as any sales. What a great way to rub shoulders for an extended period of time with these experts.
Since this is 8 weeks long, do you have an RV? Is this what most of the artists who are part of this event have? Is this one long winter/summer camp?
Good for the Framer Dude -- how lucky for you to have a resourceful partner who can take advantage of the circumstances to enhance the time you are spending there. Way too many artists fall off the road because their partners "hate" art fairs.
Lucky you, meeting Andy Wollman -- he is a long time advertiser on this website. Please tell him thanks for his support and hello from me.