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just started thinking about entering some craft fairs.......doing ribbon bows, baby hats, etc.  any opinions to help me out

In their advertising, Howard Alan Events billed this show as "The first and best art festival of 2012."  One could be snarky and say, "Well, sure...so far!"  But for many of the 200-plus artists who exhibited,  it was a solid weekend, with brisk crowds, packages aplenty, and enough sales in the till to leave hope that maybe, just maybe, the economy has turned the page as well as the calendar. 

Alan has been holding events at this fine upscale mall, halfway between Naples and Fort Myers, for six years or so. The last few years have featured an early-season show in November as well as the long-running one around Valentine's Day weekend.  But this year Alan moved the fall show to New Year's weekend--a savvy move since other Florida promoters are staying shuttered until Jan. 7. (The second show will be held six weeks hence, as always.)

The show's location within the mall was shifted slightly this year, closer to the property's SW corner, which seemed to make access a bit easier for artists and patrons alike.  Setup was all day Friday, 10 to 5.  Most artists took advantage of that; those that didn't could arrive early Saturday morning.  (There's lots of lodging within 5 miles of the show, as any Priceline search will prove out.  Alan also arranged a special at the Hyatt on site.  I didn't use either option, since I live 20 minutes north on US 41.)  

Layout was back-to-back in three columns, with enough space behind the booths for inventory and supplies, and just enough space between booths to squeeze through and get them if, like me, you didn't have a back door.  Parking was off-site this year instead of behind the movie theatre--a last-minute change that was well communicated by email--and shuttle buses ran before and after the show for those who needed it.  Alan arranged with Costco to provide an "artist's breakfast" booth with muffins and pastries and bottled water, but alas, no coffee.  It was a minor inconvenience, given that a Starbucks and Panera Bread are adjacent to the show, but it would be a nice addition next time.  

Weather was Chamber of Commerce-perfect: cloudless blue skies and temperatures that reached the low 80s both days.  Crowds were steady enough on Saturday, but patrons were definitely in "browse mode".  Sunday amped up both attendance and sales.  Interestingly, too, several artists mentioned to me that they thought the crowd skewed a bit younger than a lot of the Florida shows they do.  Maybe it reflects vacationers, as opposed to residents and snowbirds...or maybe Facebook and social media advertising is starting to have an impact (but that's a subject for a later post.)

I out-did my Day One results by better than 3 to 1 and reached my sales mark from the February 2011 show at 3 PM Sunday--a happy event since this show marked a new product mix for me, with fewer but larger canvases and no more 8x10 mat sales or notecards. It also helped that I'd mailed Christmas cards to all my large-ticket patrons, with a hand-written message and my show schedule printed on the back.  Over a half-dozen came to say hello, and several made new purchases. 

I made a point of walking the show twice, and I thought the quality and category mix were excellent. But why take my word for it? More convincing proof were the three times I heard women calling their friends to tell them about the event, all with essentially the same message: "You've got to come down here and see this...it's a beautiful show!" I can count on one hand the number of times I've witnessed that.

Like any show, there were folks who didn't fare so well.  Jewelers (which Alan held at 20% of exhibitors) seemed to fare a bit better than 2-D artists, generally.  Several photographer friends were disappointed, and a nearby painter who had sold several large pieces at last year's event wasn't so fortunate this time around.  But on the whole, folks were chalking it up as a solid start to the New Year. 

How 'bout some of you other AFI'ers out there?  What did you think?

April 6-7

St. George, Utah
Town Square
110 Artists
Deadline: January 13

The St. George Art Festival began 33 years ago showcasing the many artists who call St. George their home.  Over the years it has expanded to include over 110 artists juried from hundreds of entries from throughout the United States.

This festival has regional appeal for both artists and festival goers.  Displaying thousands of original works of art, the festival is punctuated with pageantry, music and food.  Townsfolk and visitors from around the West converge in the beautiful town of St. George on Easter weekend, one of the busiest travel weekend of the year.

The festival takes place in the beautiful Town Square, the centerpiece of the Historic District.  The Art Festival is known for consistently outstanding art work, and does all it can to send the message to artists that they are appreciated and valued guests.

We guarantee that artists are treated with the respect they deserve.  We know it is expensive to travel, so we like to help out with:

• a hospitality room
• Friday morning breakfast, water and delicious fruit and vegetable plates delivered to you at your booth each day.    
• In addition, we provide courtesy space for motor homes and RV parking near the Festival site.  St. George is known as a warm, friendly city.  We want your stay here to be the highlight of your year.

St. George is known as a warm, friendly city.  We want your stay here to be the highlight of your year.

Find the Application on-line at:

www.sgcity.org/artfestival/application.php

For more info: (435) 627-4500 or email:

Gary Sanders
Community Arts and Exhibits Administrator
City of St. George
Office: (435)627-4510 ex:116
Fax: (435)627-4526

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Find more art festivals for 2012:  www.CallsforArtists.com

Well 2011 is about to close up today.  So it is a time for reflection on things past, and a time to look ahead to the year coming.

I did my first show by a waterfall in Hawaii in 1975.  No booth, just photos on a picnic table, hanging with my Army and surfer buds drinking Olympias, smoking some of that "pakalolo" and oogling all the pretty women that came by my space.  I made $15 (it was a one-day show) and I was hooked.  I said this is what I am going to do the rest of my life.  Of course I knew that I had to figure out how to make a living at it.

Well,35 years later, i got that slick looking booth with white walls, white roof and all the requisite trimmings.  I make a living at it.  This year-end i am up 18% over last year--this being another year where most have seen sales plummet to 40%-50% off.  I count myself lucky, and blessed.

I miss not drinking the Olys and smoking the 'lolo weed, but hey you gotta grow up sometime--I guess I did.  Down deep in my heart I am still a big kid who just wants to play and have a good time with life.  As my wife well knows, I live in the moment.  That means I celebrate all those little victories that come our way whether it be getting a nice award at a show or winning the golf league with the net low score.

Our business is the damnest one I have ever seen--and this was my third career.  We can go to some shows and just kill them with great sales and then we can turn around and be juried out of that show the next year.  When you try to explain our business to most outsiders, they just scratch their heads and wonder why you would not be back in Ft. Worth after having a killer show.  Most people want sure things, they don't do well with uncertainty.  For most of us it is just the way it is.

So, 2011 was killer year for me--course it helped getting in some super shows like St. Louis, Ft. Worth, Des Moines and Artisphere.  Well guess what?  I am not going to be in three out of those four (St. Louis awaits my fate).  I will be out more than $20K just from the loss of those shows.  It has happened before and it will certainly happen again.

The images that got me into almost 80 per cent of shows I applied to in 2011, have so far got me into about 50%.  And that is with adding a new one here or there but keeping a certain unity to the body of work.

That is probably the hardest thing we have to deal with in our business--Rejection.  You have to get used to it, nobody escapes it forever, some have longer successful runs than others--God bless them.

I can take getting up at 4:30 am to get to a show, I can accept driving 650 miles to a good show, I can accept exasperating tear-downs, but when you get that form letter from Zapp or JAS that starts off,"Dear Nelsphoto we are sorry to inform you...." Well that always puts a bad pickle in your day.  But you gotta keep trucking on.

I will probably do another 34-36 shows again this coming year, about three a month average.  I notice I get a little more winded when tearing down compared to years past.  I dream of someday becoming a jeweler so I can get out of Dodge in 30 minutes like my buddy Phil manages to do.  I dream of making it past age 82, still doing shows (certainly not 36 a year).   That is my goal.  Photographer Bill Coleman who did the wonderful work about the Amish made it to 81.  He had a wonderful assistant in Carl.  Without him, Bill would have been done a lot earlier.  I guess I have to find me a "Carl."  He is out there somewhere, I know I will find him.  I gotta outlast Coleman--it is my goal and I am very goal-oriented.

Let's see.  I just gotta avoid Cancer, heart attacks, strokes, bad backs, bad legs, high blood pressure--oh, and don't get juried out of everything.  I gotta avoid auto accidents, they put a big crimp on our lifestyles.  Also DUIs, don't want any of them either--big,big crimp on the lifestyle.

I feel good  about 2012.  I think we will see a certain little thawing in consumer resistance to sales. I am going to raise my prices in three levels.  I have held them steady for six years while my operating expenses increased.  I have a new web site, since thanksgiving, which made me about $800 in sales over Christmas.  My goal is to see if I can average $400 per month sales off of it.  If I could, that would be equal to doing two good Florida shows right now.  I am adding new bins, new signs to the booth, I might even start dressing up better like I used to in the good old days.  Hell, I might do the unthinkable like my good buddy Ray Mosteller does.  I might keep my booth open after official show hours closing in order to snare those late sales.  Oh well, I guy can dream.

It wont be an easy year, but I will keep plugging away.  There are lots of little daily victories to look forward to.  I count among my friends some of the most thoughtful and talented people I have ever met.  It gives me joy to be among them.  I look forward to new friends to be met.

We have the best darn professions in America.  People dream of being able to live their lives like we do.  Most do not have the forbearing,certainty, or tenacity that we do.

Well, it is a long way from that waterfall in Hawaii to the present--but I savor each moment, and drink it in like an intoxicating liquor--and I smile a lot.  Life is good, what more could a guy ask for?  And, I got Ellen, the most talented and good-looking pastelist for a partner.

Happy 2012 everybody.  I hope you get in most of the shows you want. I hope you will continue to make a living out there--and most of all, be happy, keep in good health.

Aloha, Nels Johnson.

PS.  I lost a tooth two years ago from biting into a chicken wing.  A mere $3300 will correct the problem.  But you know what?  I lost that tooth and my sales increased 20%.  I plan on getting it fixed by my 50th high school class reunion in 2013.  So a pirate I will remain a little more longer.

It's been a while since I posted--I've been doing my part-time job and exploring some new ideas that I'm trying to get to fruition...  But on Saturday, my part-time job comes to an end, and I have about a week to work on some other projects that I need to get completed before I enter a more "traditional" job at La Jolla Playhouse with hours that equal 40 per week.

It'll be a shift for me--meaning I'll have even less time to get my personal projects done than I have now.

But a hard "reality check" (prompted by examining myself as 2011 comes to a close) has made me realize I've not spent the time that I had wisely while I had it...

This new year will bring new changes that will help me focus a bit more on what I need to do.  Several things are developing that will guide my attention more toward my studio and away from time-wasting activities that seem to suck all my drive and determination away.

First off, we have decided to get rid of cable TV from our household.  Now, for someone who has never lived life without a TV, I think I will go through a period of adjustment and withdrawal...  We are shifting to streaming viewing, so I'll only end up watching TV that I can get through Netflix and Hulu and such.  Which, in the end, isn't that bad really.  No longer will I be able to simply plop down on the couch and flip through 250+ channels and find something mindless to absorb my attention.  No.  Now my viewing will be a bit more "consciously chosen", and the television will no longer take up as much of my life as it did.  Honestly, I've lost too much of my lifetime to programming that hasn't resulted in much of an impact on me, and suffered through enough commercials prompting me to buy stuff that I'm just tired of it all.  I'm done with it.

This decision will save us at least $50 a month.  That makes me happy!

This may seem like a baby step, but for me it's a big move toward committing to an artistic lifestyle that will help me be less angst-ridden and a lot more diligent.  I can't watch news channels anymore without feeling completely wound up and frustrated by the lack of objectivity, and it's getting harder and harder to find quality serial programming as shows don't have stories with a beginning, middle and end anymore--they just keep going ad nauseum for the sake of generating ad revenue...  And if I see another Kardashian, talent show, or celebrity reality drug rehab show I'm going to puke.  Thanks, but no thanks.  Turns out the only thing decent to watch anymore is the Simpsons, and I don't have to pay so much to do that.

It's interesting how I have a whole book of ideas that I collect when I'm not at home, but once I get the chance to work on them I instead sit and let my brain turn to mush in front of a glowing box...  Well, no more.

I realize that once I get into my studio, I get lost and absorbed and thoroughly enjoy my time there...  But lately I've felt like I've had to force myself to get down to work, and that really worries me. I can't seem to remind myself enough of the rewards that I inevitably feel when I create.  It comes so naturally, and yet this last couple of months I've felt really adverse towards investing myself in any project whatsoever...  I'm hoping that removing even a single temptation like my TV will help redirect me toward doing what I know I love.

Anyone else have any experience with this?  Impact?  Advice on what they did to help them not miss it?  I have a feeling that after a lifetime, it might be like trying to quit smoking, in a way...  Bit nervous about it, but confident it's the right thing...

Wish me luck?  Please?  : )

And Live Life with Relish!

Image from .reid. via Flickr.  Creative Commons License.

May 19

Marion, Iowa

Uptown City Square Park

50 Artists

Sat.: 9am-5pm

Deadline: January 16

• One Day.

• Fifty Artists.

• Eighteen Thousand Admirers.

• An Alarmingly Small City Block.

Greetings from the 20th Annual Marion Arts Festival, in Marion, Iowa (adjacent to Cedar Rapids, in Eastern Iowa). Consistently ranked among the top tier of juried art events nationwide, the MAF presents 50 artists, offering both fine art and fine craft to an audience of 18,000. There areno bands, there is no beer - the MAF is about the art.

Marion is a "vintage uptown" type of community, and a part of the Cedar Rapids metro area. Our show is intimate and purposeful, with the mission to be an event through which you will thrive. (Here, we're obligated to insert that we're volunteer-driven, hokey and maybe more than a little mom-and-pop ... in good ways, mostly.)

The MAF is one of the most artist-profitable festivals nationwide! The 2011 Art Fair SourceBookranks the MAF as:

#1 show in the country among events featuring 100 artists  

# 51 overall in fine art

# 59 overall in fine craft

Further, in their 2012 preview, AFSB names the Marion ArtsFestival as the best one-day show nationwide, and reports an artist's return on investment as over $12 for every $1 spent. Our exhibitors enjoy a sincere welcome and an easy-to-do show. Visit our website to see the range and quality of our 19th annual lineup - you'll find fifty of your most respected artist pals.

For a more complete sense of our deep-seeded geekery, visit our website ( www.marionartsfestival.com) to view our 2012 artist information video.

ARTIST AMENITIES

- Friday check-in and set-up

- Friday evening artists' party

- Convenient free parking for artists

- 24-hour security

- Booth sitters and energetic volunteers

- Continental breakfast; water & snacks all day

- Separate indoor restrooms

- Cash awards

- Extensive event marketing, including billboards, websites, newspapers, TV, and radio (including statewide venues)

We invite artist entries through ZAPPlication ( www.zapplication.org). You have our best wishes as you plan your spring and summer season!

For further information, email director Deb Bailey:  mafdirector@marioncc.org  

This is a special edition of our Call for Entries. Listed below are seventeen Midwest area professionally run art fairs by Amdur Productions.

Headed by Amy Amdur, these events exploded on the art fair scene 29 years ago when the Port Clinton Art Festival appeared in the affluent community of Highland Park, Illinois.  Since then Amy has continued to produce and organize nationally recognized festivals in high-profile suburbs and popular metro areas.

Amdur's hard work and unparalleled eye, coupled with the dedication of her staff and a strong marketing outreach have made these art fairs a destination for artists and art buyers from the Midwest and around the world.  

Amdur Staff

With the addition of three new festivals, including a partnership with the Highland Park Art Center in June, a move into Michigan's summer shore playground in New Buffalo, and a Labor Day Weekend show in Milwaukee, Amdur continues to make an indelible impact on the arts community by hosting a selection of the most desirable juried art festivals.  

Take a look at these seventeen events to fill your art fair schedule and your pocketbook!  

Visit the website: AmdurProductions.com for full disclosure on each of the events and apply today! Deadline January 3.

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May 26 & 27

June 1-3
Eastside Millennium Art Festival

Fri.-Sat.: 11am-7pm
Sun.: 11am-5pm
130 Artists
Booth: $495
Jury: $25
       
Located blocks from Chicago's bustling Millennium Park, the Eastside Millennium Art Festival returns to downtown Chicago for its fourth year.   More than 175,000 people visit the area daily whether for work or play at the neighboring Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Cultural Center or Millennium Park. More information.

Average temperature: 71

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June 16 & 17
New Buffalo ARTigras! - New

NEW FESTIVAL!!!

Average temperature: 73

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June 23 & 24
Promenade of Art Arlington Heights

10am-5pm
150 Artists!
Booth: $445
Jury: $25

Now celebrating it's tenth year, the Promenade of Art Arlington Heights is a longstanding tradition for residents of this prosperous suburb and nearby communities.  The festival takes place in the lively downtown area amid upscale high-rise apartments, boutiques, cafes and popular restaurants. More information.

Average temperature: 74 

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June 23 & 24

The Art Center's Festival of Fine Craft - New
Highland Park, Illinois

Average temperature: 74

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June 30 & July 1
Lincolnshire Art Festival
Lincolnshire, Illinois 

10am-5pm
120 artists!
Booth: $430
Jury: $25

Located in one of Chicago's most prosperous suburbs, the Lincolnshire Art Festival draws more than 20,000 art lovers annually.  2012 marks the Lincolnshire Art Festival's 15th year as a summer institution. More information.

Average temperature: 75

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July 6 - 8
Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival
Glencoe, Illinois  
THREE DAY FESTIVAL!!!

10am-5pm
85 Artists!
Booth: $625
Jury: $35

Last year's inaugural event drew tens of thousands of art enthusiasts, making it a record breaking weekend for the Chicago Botanic Garden.  Originally produced by Amdur Productions years ago, the festival returns for a second year with a select group of exceptional artists showcasing work of a botanic theme, use or material. More information.

Average temperature: 75

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July 14 - 15
Gold Coast Art Fair

Chicago, Illinois 

10am-6pm
350 Artists!
Booth: $595
Jury: $35

The "Granddaddy of American Art Festivals", the Gold Coast Art Fair returns to Grant Park, Chicago's premier festival destination!  Now celebrating its 55th year, the Gold Coast Art Fair is the third oldest and by far one of the most well attended art festivals in Chicago.  Located within walking distance of The Art Institute of Chicago and Buckingham Fountain, the art festival draws hundreds of thousands of art enthusiasts annually! More information.

Average temperature: 76

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July 21 - 22
Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival 

Buffalo Grove, Illinois

10am-5pm
160 Artists!
Booth: $475
Jury: $25

For 14 years, the Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival has been a family and community tradition.  This stellar art festival takes place in one of the fastest growing communities in the greater Chicagoland area, which is home to some of the most reputable business organizations in the Midwest. More information.

Average temperature: 76

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July 27-29

North Shore Festival of Art

Skokie, Illinois 

THREE DAYS!!!
Now opening on Friday!

10am-5pm
140 Artists!
Booth: $445
Jury: $25

A highly visible location, revamped layout and an extra day make this Amdur festival a pleasure for artists.  Located in the incredibly popular Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, this festival boasts a great following of discerning art lovers. More information.

Average temperature 77

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August 4 & 5
Glencoe Festival of Art
Glencoe, Illinois

Sat. & Sun. 10-5
120 Artists
Booth:  $455
Jury:  $25

The Glencoe Festival of Art takes place in the prestigious Village of Glencoe, an upscale community on Chicago's North Shore, which attracts a highly educated crowd of art lovers annually. More information.

 

Average temperature: 75 

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August 11 & 12
Art at the Glen Town Center
Glenview, Illinois

10am-5pm
200 Artists!
Booth: $515
Jury: $35

Sales rank among the highest at this high quality, nationally well regarded show.  Showgoers flock to this festival which is situated in a beautiful community, boasting some of the finest stores in the Midwest. More information.

Average temperature: 71

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August 25 & 26
Port Clinton Art Festival
Highland Park, Illinois

10am-6pm
260 Artists!
Booth: $760
Jury: $50

Located in the affluent community of Highland Park, the Port Clinton Art Festival is one of the most acclaimed art festivals in the country.  More than 250,000 art savvy, loyal attendees visit this high caliber festival annually. More information.

Average temperature: 72 

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September 1 & 2
Third Ward Art Festival - New!
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

NEW FESTIVAL!!!

Located in the heart of
Milwaukee's fashion and art district!
10am-5pm
150 Artists!
Booth: $425
Jury: $25

The Third Ward Art Festival launches this year just three blocks south of downtown Milwaukee, in the Historic Third Ward known as "Milwaukee's Arts and Fashion District".  This upscale area boasts the city's most dynamic array of restaurants, spas, theaters, galleries and unique shopping-attracting visitors from near and far. More information.

Average temperature: 68 

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September 8 & 9
Downtown Downers Grove Art Festival
Downers Grove, Illinois

10am-5pm

120 Artists!

Booth: $295

Jury: $20

 

A cherished community tradition for the past 35 years, the festival will be directed by Amdur Productions for the third year.  Held on the town's main street, the festival draws stellar crowds of art enthusiasts annually! More information.

 

Average temperature: 65

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September 15 & 16
Highwood Last Call Art Fair

Highwood, Illinois

10am-5pm
120 Artists!
Booth: $235

Jury: $15

Nestled between three of the wealthiest communities on the North Shore, this unique art fair offers artists the opportunity to sell off their inventory at the end of the season; great art at great prices!  Artists and/or artist's reps are welcome to work the festival. More information.

Average temperature: 63

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December 7-9

The Inside Show
Highland Park, Illinois

Fri.: Noon-5pm;

Sat. & Sun.: 10am-5pm
40 Artists!
Booth: $750
Jury: $25

 

Amdur Productions will once again extend art festival season to the winter months.  A select group of artists are invited to showcase their artwork at this high-end holiday event.  10x10 booths and 10x5 booths are available. More information.

 

Average temperature:  You'll be happy you're indoors!  

WHAT TO DO NEXT!
Learn more and apply at: www.amdurproductions.com                           Deadline: January 3   If you have any questions on the jury process, our festivals, or related topics, please contact the office at (847)926-4300 or email: info@amdurproductions.com Lennette, Rose, Lora and Amy are ready to take your calls Monday - Friday between 9am-5pm CST.

I stumbled across this information today.  I thought I would share it everyone.  Those of you who usually do this show may already know about the cancelation.  I thought I would pass the news on just in case this may affect any AFI members.

The Marco Island Celebrate the Arts Festival is canceled for 2012:

"After careful consideration by those in charge of the event, it became obvious that it was not feasible to launch Celebrate the Arts this season. Lack of participation and funding required the Arts Center to reluctantly cancel, but it also has opened up an opportunity to focus on other events, workshops and a large fundraiser in February, which will invite the membership to participate in a co-ordinated exhibition off-site. More information will come soon.
Any artist who sent in their application, will be refunded."

This information was taken from the Marco Island Center for the Arts Website.  If you were affected by the lost of this show I hope you are able to fill your schedule with another fine show.

Just pay the $40 processing fee.................................gee thanks.  Are many of you seeing this if you are invited back to shows?

Nels and I have a problem setting up my website.  When Nels put in the http address of EllenMarshall.com and we click on that link, it takes me to GoDaddy.com site.  I cannot go anywhere with this.  It is their followup to get more business through additional subscriptions.  Does anyone know how to bypass this or explain if we need to use another http address, etc.  First, know that I am a babe in the woods on this stuff.  Nels is way ahead of me there but he doesn't know how to circumvent this problem.  Appreciate your input!  Thanks, Ellen

This last week was a tough one for me.  I was working during the day at La Jolla Playhouse on a velvet suit primarily, but sporadically I would be assigned other tasks that varied widely.  At a certain point, a suit becomes a "one person job", so I never knew how long my day was going to be, nor when I was going to shift back to doing what I was actually hired for (which was doing the laundry and maintenance for the musical that is currently running).  The weekend concluded with a sick colleague needing to take some time off and figuring out how to fill in for him.  The end result was a completely disjointed work week that has left me a bit frazzled and exhausted, even though I didn't really do much that I felt required intensive concentration or effort to warrant how I'm feeling...

You ever have weeks like that?  I was left with fewer blocks of time to work on my art, and even then I couldn't really focus my attention to work on anything...

Hasn't been an incredibly constructive week, lemme tell ya.

You have periods like that?  I can't complain, really--I have a job, which is more than some do right now.

I just wish I could figure out a way to hone my attention and have substantive results without using coffee!  Haha!  I feel like I don't have any margin for whining, so I'm trying not to do that.  I'm reminded of a great book I read a while ago, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and it's sequel Do the Work.  He talks about "Resistance" as an ever present mental demon that artists are constantly battling.  I understand that in spades.  It would be so easy to simply write off my free time as I "recuperate" from my part-time workdays...  It's finding a way to bridge the transition from one work place to my own studio and still maintain momentum that is the hard part for me.  I recognize my demon is lurking behind that feeling...

Twyla Tharp also wrote a great book called The Creative Habit that touches on many of the same things that Pressfield's books discuss, but she emphasizes the need for structure in an artists' life.  The presence of a consistent schedule, a discipline in one's approach to creating that is sort of "baked in", and a recognition of one's own inherent creativity that can't be replicated by anyone else as an inspiration toward investing in yourself...

I see the demon in my lack of a developed habit.  And I think that's because I haven't embraced the execution of repetitive action as a key to creation.  I think that often there's a cultural emphasis on the freedom of being a creative artist, but so little understanding how that very freedom can be as inhibitive as it is liberating.  All the free time in the world does not mean one will actually bend their will to the act of making.  All the options and inspirations at your fingertips do nothing if one doesn't actually turn away eventually and apply them.

It's the act of doing that is the truly liberating part of art.  And often, an artist needs structure and repetition to do the doing.  And one can't get that if one isn't ready to buckle down and fight the demon.

Time to polish up my longsword.

Live Life with Relish!

Sword image from Albion Europe ApS via Flickr.  Creative Commons License.

I came across this at www.claytimes.com by icsthrower.  Given some of the recent discussion here, thought some of you might enjoy it.

WHERE: Beautiful downtown St. Joseph, Michigan
WHEN:  Saturday and Sunday - July 14-15  
WHAT:  Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, one of the nation's top fine art festivals (Sunshine Artist Magazine
               #24 2011)

Deadline: January 12 

NOTEWORTHY:

*One-half century of artistic and sales excellence.

*Limited to 216 artists.

*Average sales (2011): $1500 to $5000, (Sunshine Artist Magazine report) $3,700 (artist post-event survey).

*Jury/Booth Fees ($30/$275 or $300, depending on space size: 15x15 and 20x20); many with exposure on two sides.

*Estimated attendance: 75,000, drawn from all over the Midwest.

*Friday set-up; drive to space for load-in and load-out.

*Artist-in-Residence program; residents host artists in their homes.

*Excellent artist amenities, including artist-only parking, Saturday gourmet breakfast, booth sitters, electricity available to many booths, artists' hospitality room and much more.

*Friday night kick-off party with gourmet food, wine tasting and live music--free to artists.

*Round table artists' discussion with committee and staff.

*Jury session open to artists and public to observe.     

The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff celebrates 51 years of artistic excellence at Lake Bluff Park in 2012, overlooking Lake Michigan. The festival draws crowds from Chicago, northern Indiana, Grand Rapids and other nearby cities.

What the artists had to say:

• From a drawing/pastel artist: "So far it was my best of the year and third best overall, so thanks again. I am keeping my fingers crossed on getting in next year!"
• A painter says: "I just wanted to thank you for a well organized event, for the nice roomy, shady spot, and the large, enthusiastic crowd. It's really all that we, as exhibitors can ask for. From there, it's up to us to have the work that appeals to the public."
• A fiber artist said: "What many art fair organizers don't realize is that if you make it a show that is very artist friendly, as well as having good sales, artists will enjoy coming and the quality of the work at you show will be better."
• From a 3-D artist: "Thank you all the volunteers, staff and hot, steamy judges who made this a terrific show. I have to say that we are in the "best show ever" category and it couldn't have happened at a more needed time."   

Deadline: January 12, 2012
Application through  www.zapplication.org
Jury Date: February 3, 2012 (artists and public invited to observe)
Notification: February 24, 2012
Booth Fee Due: April 6, 2012 

For more details and artist's prospectus, visit:

www.krasl.org/af_artist_info.php

Email inquiries to: Sara Shambarger, Director   

 sshambarger@krasl.org

You may also contact by telephone: 269-983-0271   

Sunday morning awards meeting    

I know, I know....nine more days!

But YOU know ME!!!! LOL

In bold and upper case, I just have to wish every single Art Fair Insider a

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

We are totally breaking tradition this year: no tree, trimmings or turkey.....at least at home!

My newlyweds will be at the Green Bay Packer Game on Christmas Day. For those who do not follow American football, the Packers are set to have a "perfect" season and picked to win the Super Bowl again. We in WI take the Pack like religion on Sundays ( or any other day they play!) So Mom's (my) traditions will wait a week as they make their holy trek up to Lambeau Field.

My eldest and darling daughter haven't decided yet but

Dan and I are heading to Minneapolis to spend Christmas with our youngest son, the surgical transplant RN. Since he just moved to the Uof M Hospital there from Kearney, NE, he is low man on the rotation. He will be working some third shifts.

Larry, we are doing a brave thing! After eight years of being a house dog, Willow is coming along. We procured Valium for the trip for him (I think a round may be needed for us as well! Just kidding.)

I hope everyone uses this blog to tell us what YOU are doing over the next two weeks.

I'd love to hear!

BIG HUGS,

Linda

The Borders they are talking about is across the street from Woodfield.  It is in an outdoor mall that has several stores that draw lots of people.  It is as busy as Woodfield but much smaller.  The sign is viewable from the road.  The strip is busy all of the time.  I would be curious as to how they got my name and contact information.

Art Fair 101 - Art Fairs - Not Nearly What I Expected

On December 20 at 3 pm we will host a live discussion with four artists who are relatively new to the art fair business. We had many requests to be on the panel but these four were chosen because of their persuasive emails. If they can speak as well as they write we are in luck! They represent four different media and are from different areas of the country and have disparate backgrounds. I've never met any of them nor spoken to them (except for one) so this will be a surprise to all of us. 

Not only will you get to listen live you will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the panel.  You will find the podcast/radio program at this link:  http://www.artfairinsiders.com/page/radio

More details coming soon -- 

Sponsors:  EntryThingy.com, FrameDestination.com, ACTinsurance.com

I have encountered a situation that I'm not sure how to intrepret and I would appreciate hearing from others in regard to similar experiences, opinions, etc.

For the past couple of years I've been very fortunate in being accepted to most of the shows to which I have applied, some of which I thought I had very little chance of getting into.  I try to keep my work fresh and introduce new work when possible.  And, I feel my work has gotten better from year to year if for no other reason than more experience, exposure, etc.

However, it seems I am getting more rejections and wait-listings for 2012 than I've ever had before and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.  With the economic issues we've all seen, it seems there would be fewer applicants to shows and, thus, less competition but this doesn't seem to be the case.  Of course there are all the usual reasons why one isn't accepted to a show i.e. simply an inferior body of work; poor photos; large number of applicants in a particular category, etc., etc.  But, as I said, I feel my work has improved, my photos are every bit as good as they've ever been if not better and , as near as I can tell, there has been no significant change in the numbers of applicants in my category.

So, I'm simply having a hard time in pinpointing the problem.  I can only assume that I'm wrong and my work is getting worse instead of better.  I intend to step back, take some time away from shows and devote it to making some changes and improvements in my work, get some better photos  (pay attention Larry) and solicit opinions from you good folks.

I also have a real personal problem with the wait-listing issue.  To me, that simply says, "you're not good enough to be in our show but we're going to keep your name in the hat just in case we need it".  This is my own personal hang-up but I can't seem to change my thinking.  I would almost rather be rejected out-right than wait-listed.

I would appreciate hearing any ideas, thoughts, suggestions, comments any of you might have on these issues.  And I would be interested in hearing from anyone who is having a similar problem with 2012 and what you think the reasons might be.