I've always been a very shy person, although doing the festivals for many years has really helped me with that. I had to force myself to approach people and start conversations which was really hard for me, but is getting easier time I do it.
I have a solo exhibit coming up and the artists reception is this weekend. I can already feel the anxiety creeping up on me! I don't seem to have a problem talking about myself or how I came to be a printmaker, but I do have a real problem describing the stories and themes of my work. My work is very narrative and has a lot of symbolism incorporated into it. Half of them have a very specific story behind the image, but others started with an idea and just evolved into something I thought looked interesting, but I think that might sound a bit boring. Should I make up a story when I don't really have one? I don't think I want to be dishonest about my work, even for the sake of a possible sale.
Any advice would be appreciated? I'm all ears!
Comments
Thanks for all your comments. My show opened Saturday night and I had a really good turnout. I even sold some. I'll take your ideas and comments and keep working on my social skills!
Lori, be yourself and try to get the conversation around how the piece speaks to them. If a piece doesn't speak to the customer they probably aren't going to buy it. As an artist, you are already an interesting person. The people have come to see you and learn a little from you. Enjoy the moment and soak it all up. Have fun!
Sorry I haven't gotten here until now, Lori. Here is one of the secrets of selling, it is more about them talking not you. Ask them questions, why are they here, anything in particular they are shopping for, go to many art fairs (lol), a specific space they are filling, collect art in general?, you have a narration when you are creating the piece, but they may have their own story, what is it? Be genuinely interested them and the favor may be returned. People could choose so many other places to be and they chose to be there with you, that says a lot, especially at a solo exhibition -- in fact, it isn't all about you. It is about them. It was about you in the creation.
Smile and compliment.
Dress like the buyer you want to attract.
I've read lots of books about selling art and practiced for years at the art fairs. What do you think of those ideas?
Oh, I just read Geri's response. We said the same thing!
Don't lie. People can tell and it's insulting. If someone asks you a question about your work, why not ask them what they think it means or what do they see in it. That can give you a direction to go with your answer conversation.