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Recently, I read a blog on AFI about the perils of:

1) Donating your works for charity.

2) Giving a piece of your work for raffle at the Art Fair you are attending.

3) Well, let's not enumerate on… the post was against GIVING AWAY your ART for any reason because it lowers its value.

Why? The jist of the post was that it’s BAD for BUSINESS!

Yes, I have the concept correct, unfortunately. Artists need to be savvy business women/men with cost sheets of realistic pricing, trend analyses, web maximization, facebook advertising, search engines that keep you in the forefront, gadgets that slip on your iPhone to scan credit cards... and on and on and on.

The theme of the post was ANATHEMA to me (nothing personal to whoever wrote it.) and I feel honor bound to represent artists to the best of my ability. While I’m polite to a fault, truthful about costs, and I’ll avoid conflict at all costs - I’ve never told anyone this before and am reluctant to now - that post forces me to take a very public stand:

Every show I find a way to give a piece of my work… to a charming child, a harassed mother, someone with a light pocketbook but the right eyes, a lovely aging beauty…

Isn’t the greatest gift an Artist can give ONE that is personal, rare and God-given: your own art? I think generosity is a civility I see and read about here on this blog daily.

So I am asking YOU.

I am the Director of Global Outreach for the Rainbird Foundation, a non-profit committed to the end of all forms of child abuse with no child left out. If you would like to participate in an act of generosity that would delight the recipient and contribute to the financial stability of this great organization, join me in contributing a piece of your art to them. I’ve never met a more deserving group of people, and their work will go far with our support!

IF THIS APPEALS TO YOU, FIND OUT MORE @: www.Rainbirdfoundation.org

OR CONTRIBUTE A PIECE OF YOUR WORK AND MAIL IT TO: RAINBIRD FOUNDATION, W311S7433 Arbor Drive, Mukwonago, WI 53149

Please, price your work. It will be sold in the Global web store.

Starting sometime early next year, I am looking to feature an artist a month in the store. If you are interested, write me at AFI.

With gratitude,

Linda

The title really says it all, but since this is a blog - I'll elaborate.

Last weekend I took my husband, under duress, to a fine art fair. Having exhibited at mostly local arts and crafts, I wanted to get a feel for fine arts and booth set ups. I also wanted him to check out how tents were weighted because I was hoping he'd take on that responsibility. Even though I told him it was fine art show, he still thought I was dragging him to another arts and "crap" show (his words).  Admittedly, I gave up trying to explain fine art, especially in relation to jewelry.

Once parked, the husband thought he was going to just take a nap in the truck. No such luck for him. After I explained his role, we ate some greasy fair food and set off through the show. At some point we got separated because he thought I was spending too much time at a particular jewelry booth. When I explained that I was chatting with the artist, he scoffed "Artist???"  

There's a lot about this whole scene that he just doesn't get. In his way, though, he is being supportive and really does want me to be successful. He finally understood what I wanted as far as weights and did go to the local masonry supply for cement blocks. And he'll lend muscle whenever he can. Yesterday was my first show with my new tent, so he met me there and helped set up. He doesn't quite understand that there are breakables in the Rubbermaid tub. Luckily, nothing broke when he tossed it to the ground. He forgot to lock the table legs - again, luckily, there were only a few things on it (and I was holding on) when one side collapsed.

I figured I was tearing down on my own at 5:00, but then my knight in shining armor rode up on his motorcycle.

Maybe some day, he'll "get it".  In the meantime, I'll take whatever he's willing to offer.