I have a suggestion to those of you talkative artists and crafters out there. A good way to make money and do some good for future buyers is as follows:
I gave my children each the gift of buying one favorite work of art a year-or two if i felt we could afford it and by the time they had their own homes they had a fabulous collections.
I tell parents when they enter my booth with children usually 10 and up, that have some interest in my work, about how as a past art teacher (i only lasted one year with middle school art classes-aargh) I found that when a child grows their taste and understanding of art changes.
To further this quality a yearly purchase will open up new thought patterns such as about texture and color and dimension. Art pokes holes in the brain to let in air--it helps them do better in other subjects and life (as we all know). If they realize you are an artist and what that entails, and the materials you use and are invited to touch respectfully, they are likiely to want to buy your work as their first purchse.
I have this happen ten times a show
I think it is good for all of us to get kids in the early stages and to give their parents a new way to spend money on their kids.
what do you think?
Comments
<insert rim shot here>
Seriously, though: It's great to see so many artists encouraging young visitors. It always makes my day to have a youngster select a photo for their bedroom (I always give a discount and a conversation about why they like it and how I made the image.)
I did a show in Gaithersburg MD earlier this summer and had about a half-dozen young visitors, all of whom were brilliant. A nine-year-old took out his iPhone and showed me some of his nature drawings. They looked they'd been done by a college age student. I asked them to stop back before they left the show, which gave me time to look up some young-artist wildlife art shows for him to apply to.
My husband and I spend lots of time taking to children about art and what they enjoy. They have interesting perspectives. They see things that others don't see. They are usually very interesting. One young man had seen our work at a library where we were showing for a month. He came to art shows to find us because he had decided to purchase one of our pieces as his graduation gift. It was really interesting to watch him make his decision and a thrill for us. He comes back every year to see us and let us know how he is doing.
you know you can always tell when a child in your booth is getting straight A's or is an art buff or a mini engineer if you are observant and really look in their eyes. Just like i can usually tell the occupation of my
clients by the questions they ask and the way they phrase their words, if they actually touch the glass or just stand out in front of the booth.
The way they spend their money is usually a good indicator-i dont mean the actual bucks but the stance and power behind decisions--length of time spent looking--whimpy or secure. I love to see how couples relate in the processes.
My favorte is still when a lady tries on a piece of jewelry and she says, Honey, how does it look, and he says you look so beautiful to me i dont even see it-but whatever you want its fine with me.
It happens more than you think.