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...that this is where you are supposed to be?  For the past couple of years, I've toyed with the idea of attending a workshop for a week, and hopefully be able to choose someone who is a good teacher and a good artist.  Now, here, it appears my search has been fulfilled, because I am surrounded daily by hard at work artists.  The energy here is amazing, intense and positive.  Other artists echo my sentiment; they accomplish more work in the ten weeks here than the rest of the year.  I've truly missed the old art school feeling I remember of pulling all nighters and the determination to create, create, create.  I have even found the courage to plunge into a stylistic change which has been lurking in the back of my mind as I've found myself a bit bored with the photo-realism I'm known for.  It seems as soon as Framer Dude and I crossed the AZ border, the name Georgia O'Keeffe  rose, unbidden, into the forefront of my mind.  Now, I have been somewhat familiar with her work most of my adult life.  But when I did a Google search the other night on her images, her work resonated within me for the first time. Aha,  I thought to myself, THIS is where abstraction meets realism !  I'm not going to say I understand abstract art or "get " it all the time;  I'm not too proud to say that I still don't really get Pollock.  But seeing Georgia's realistic intimate landscapes (as I have come to call mine) and her consequent progressions into abstractions of the same subject, I see what she's trying to say.  It's a catharsis of sorts.

I have met artists here at the peaks of their careers, and they are generous in  sharing their acquired knowledge and providing constructive critiques.  Understand, I have worked in near solitude for the past 10 years, where productive interaction with fellow artists was brief, few and far between.  I couldn't have chosen a better workshop, and paid less, since this is a ten week gig, plus there is the opportunity to make sales.  I broke the ice today and sold 2 (small) pieces, with a strong bite from her friend on a much larger piece.  Here, the artists have a silly little dance that they all do to celebrate each other's sales (after the celebrant patron has left the vicinity, of course.).  I will be inducted tomorrow morning.

Did I mention our Happy Hour?  Every day, at 5, a metal artist sounds his gong, and many of us who have been hard at work all day rush to gather at one artist's booth, who takes his role as master artist seriously and master of happy hour very graciously.  Framer Dude is in awe of him.  He is the consummate successful professional artist who is able to enjoy life to the fullest and is utterly gracious.  As Dude stated last night, "He cranks out a %$#^&!@ painting a week, gets paid $%^@& good $$$, and %$#&!  parties at night!  Why can't you be him?"  Or something like that,  I didn't hear the rest of it, I pushed him off the log into the fire. (Dude was between his fourth and fifth Jack so he didn't feel the third degree burns til this morning)  Anyway...patrons sometimes mingle with the artists during this very informal setting, and they get a kick out of hanging with us.  I have met some terrific artists who are terrific people also, and for a relative newbie like me, it's a brilliant view of what one can accomplish in the short-term, as well as long-term for life goals.

Anyhow, I just know that this is where I am supposed to be right now, and quitting my 40K a year job in FL was just a part of it.  All my pics are on the Mac right now, so I'll share them later.

You knew it had to happen. There are empty properties all around the "Rust Belt" part of the upper Midwest. Every now and then some enterprising person comes along and starts an incubator or small business in these spaces. Sometimes the mall or building owner even gives the space for free in order to keep the spaces full. Yesterday I was talking to Jeane Vogel in Crestwood, MO (outside St. Louis), who has a very successful arrangement with the managers of Crestwood Court. She opened ArtSpace a couple of years ago and it holds an artist gallery, art space for workshops, classes and lots more, increasing traffic to the mall and giving artists great studio space with access to shoppers.

Here's a great story that appeared in an online blog, DetroitMakeItHere.com, yesterday: Artists could soon overrun vacant corner at Nine and Woodward. 

The gist of it is that two entrepreneurs are planning to take over the empty Old Navy store that sits in a prominent location on Woodward Avenue (Detroit's main drag) in Ferndale and offer space to artists for short time leases. It really sounds great. I lived in this neighborhood of Detroit for almost fifteen years and am a serious cheerleader for all the people who continue to strive to keep hope alive in the beleaguered city. The arts are alive, people love the arts and I'm sending best wishes to Chris and Tiffany Best with this new venture.

If you live near, don't overlook this opportunity.

Hi,

I am doing some research for the group that is putting on this festival, so they can get some feedback this year from the artists. So please give me your thoughts and opinions on this event whether you were an artist there or whether you just visited the event. I am unable to attend this year because I will be at the Manatee Festival in Crystal River Florida. This is very important for all artists that do outdoor arts events.

The feedback in the past has been negative as well as positve. My own experience there, 2009, was not as favorable for the artists me as it was for the mall stores. This year is the third year at the same location and the advertising has gotten better. The group putting it on has been listening. So, I am offering to serve as a forum for the artists and let the promoters for this event know what YOU think.

Thank you,

Roxie Spell

www.naturesclayart.com

July 20-23
At the Tower
On the streets and campus of Ann Arbor, Michigan
175 Artists
Deadline: January 20

The Street Art Fair is one of the highest ranking art fairs in the nation and for good reason:

    ·    It draws collectors who rarely attend art fairs
    ·    It attracts the finest artists
    ·    It works with many cultural community and educational institutions to produce exceptional
         community art activities
    ·    It works throughout the year to be a blue ribbon presence in the Ann Arbor community

This is the original event on which the other Ann Arbor fairs have patterned themselves, as well as many other fairs across the nation. It is the creme de la creme of art festivals.

The Street Art Fair has a distinctive jury process, unlike that of any other art fair. There are five separate panels jurying specific media or related categories. There are 4 to 5 jurors per panel, one of whom is a member of the Jury Advisory Board. The  Jury Advisory Board meets in a sixth session after all the panels are complete to review the submissions with high scores and determine invitations in each category, balancing the scores, the range of work and the strength of category. Artists selected for the wait list are also determined at this session.

The jury meets over the weekend  of February 11th. All images are projected, statements read with additional information available upon request. The strength of this approach is that they have jurors (who are paid an honorarium) working 4 to 6 hours in their own area of expertise only, or related areas. Jurors see the work multiple times and are able to ask questions and to discuss the work, moving back and forth to compare it to other submissions in the category. Jurors are generally working artists and are often educators at area colleges or museums. They mix new jurors with experienced jurors.

The Jury Advisory Board member brings a familiarity with the fair and knowledge of the goals and programs from having juried the fair on site the previous year. They will bring the overall sensibility of the panel to the final session.

Painter Kathleen Eaton at the AA Street Art Fair

For the first time, a booth slide will be required along with 5 images of work.  The booth slide will be reviewed by staff only, to ensure that the body of work submitted for jurying is consistent with what is displayed in the booth.  If there is a question, the artist will be contacted before the jury session.

For more information on the Street Fair visit their website:  www.artfair.org

To view the application and apply today, visit: www.zapplication.org

The smiling, well-dressed lady in the bright blue bib strode into my booth, extended her hand, and said: "Hi, I'm Sharon.  I'm a Rotarian.  How can I serve you today?"

A Dr. Seuss couplet begins to spring to mind, but never mind that: Let's talk about this long-running show, held at the Venice Municipal Airport about 2 hours north of the Bonita Springs show. 

This local event with the hometown-y feel has been running for years, and deserves to.  Venice is a long-established town along Florida's Gulf coast, about a half-hour south of Sarasota. It's well known for its casual charm, beautiful beach, relaxed atmosphere, and an established working art community.  The Rotarians take over the outskirts of this active airport, just off the easternmost runway, and bring in artists, crafters, a rock band or two, an antique car show, and a smattering of food vendors to make a nice weekend for the show's dedicated followers.  Sharon the Rotarian was just one of the group's members who devote months and months of planning, and they do a fine job.

Logistics are a snap: You can check in on Friday, park right behind your booth location, and set up from there...a no-dolly weekend, nice!

And yet, there are challenges.  The crowd is unfailingly friendly, but it is an older one, much like the Rotarian membership itself, and not buying as much art as it did in the past.  I overheard the show director commenting that although the show is juried, nearly everyone who applied got in because the number of applications has been declining.  Accordingly, there was lots of low-end craft, bead-kit jewelry and other buy-sell, and "art on a stick". 

Although quality, sales and crowd size aren't by any stretch in a league with Barry Witt's Bonita behemoth, you can have a decent weekend here at minimal cost: Booth fee is about $235, and if you have a camper or RV you can stay overnight right behind your booth (though I commuted from my home in S. Fort Myers).  There's a decent artist dinner on Saturday night with free beer and wine, breakfast both mornings, booth sitting by the likes of Sharon the Rotarian on request, and a crowd that enjoys and buys. The Rotarians even grant awards in multiple categories (first place is $250), plus a best in show ($500). 

I made about 5x my booth fee plus the blue ribbon for photography, against expenses that were otherwise limited to a tankful of gas and a couple of bucks for the coffee vendor.  Not a bad way to spend a weekend if you weren't in Bonita.

This would be an EXCELLENT show for a less-experienced artist/crafter to "get their feet wet," with lots of experienced veterans around to learn from. 

And if you're one of the artists who complain that there's a dearth of community-run shows that love what they're doing and care about the artists, put this one on your list for 2012.  The Rotarians work hard to serve up a slice of the "good old days," and they deserve our support. 

Last week it was painted bottle-stoppers and beer signs (Cape Coral), this week it was good paintings  and signs of conspicuous wealth being spent on art(Bonita Springs).

Connie, in a related blog mentioned "ho-hum another art show in Florida this weekend" (referring to BS art festivals.  But, as anybody knows who has done this show, it is not a ho-hummer.

True, not everybody makes a ton of money among the 210 juried artists, but most come away with a paycheck for the weekend that will pay a lot of bills and booth fees.  At least right now in this economy, it seems all the money you make at a show just goes to pay another $400-$500 booth fee.  Where is the money for me?  But that is getting off the subject which I will pursue at another time.  Back to BS.

First, here is the meat for those of you who haven't done this show.  Back about a decade or more ago, Barry Witt, the only show director they have ever had at BS, left as director of the Feb. downtown Naples show and started up this new show at the Promenade Shopping Center in Bonita Springs.  Initially, he invited about 125 artists (I was one of them) to come to his new show in January.  It was a gang-buster, everybody made money.  The next year he added more, and we all still made good money.  Who doesn't need a good show in January in Florida?

Bonita Springs is actually north Naples and it is filled with a lot of wealthy folks, many from the midwest who call it their winter home.  They love to go to outdoor art festivals and buy.  We are talking a mostly fifties-plus age crowd with disposable income.  Currently, the Promenade Center isn't filled up with leases at all the stores.  In fact when I went by the Promenade, enroute to the New years Naples show two weeks ago, I noticed a lack of cars in their parking lot.  But the Bonita Springs Art League who produces the show always brings in a big crowd, close to 20-thousand.  They all pay a $5 donation to enter, it is a nice little fund-raiser for them.

OK, here is some more important meat.  The show is held on the grounds of the shopping area, you set up your booth on a paved surface.  You need weights.  Booths are tight side to side, so don't expect to hang much there that can be seen.  Most booths have ample room behind for inventory storage, even an awning.  Barry runs a tight ship for setup and teardown, it is wise to follows his instructions to the letter.  Everybody always seems to get out of there ok.

You are selling to a fifties-plus age group and most of them have very conservative tastes when it comes to art.  Yes, yes.  I know there are some who do very well there selling art from the heart.  Most of them have a carefully crafted customer base to work from.  So my comments are directed more to those of you who have never done the show.  They like realistic paintings of boats, flowers, seascapes--you get the picture.  The photographers who do Europe do very well here. Hotels in the area are not cheap and fill up quickly.  On the CLC card I found a great deal down the road in North Naples for $65 a night.  Your break-even point for this show is somewhere around $750-$900 depending on how much you like to eat and drink.  Tequila costs a bunch and so does good fish.

One other important thing.  This is a tough show to jury into.  It is a fair jury run on the Entry-Thing system.  Trouble is, most on the circuit know about the show and want to be in it to make some good moola in January.  Those who make the waitlist, not many get called up, because nobody cancels.  It is just the way it is.  OK that is the meat, which is full of good stuff. Chew on it.

OK, WE TOOK CARE OF THAT.  WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?  Well, I thought you would never ask.

First off, it was great weather weekend and huge crowds attended both days.  By Saturday end, there were a goodly number of artists who did better than $5K for the day.  Margaritas for everyone!  I wasn't one of them, but I was happy.  I made enough to pay a bunch of bills.

When I did my informal, non-scientific poll on Sunday morning.  I got lots of feedback, with some doing $5K-plus and others barely making expenses.  I probably talked to about 75 artists in many mediums.  For example one well-known Florida glass artist absolutely killed killed them on Saturday.  Friends who paint on wood and furniture had a killer day.  They had people calling them on the cellphone to deliver it to their houses.  We all should be so lucky.  One well-known European photographer sucked so much money out of his double booth corner spot. that there was nothing left for his neighbors.  I begged him to give all his neighbors a thousand bucks each to console them.  He said he would earnestly consider that.  A sculptor who does very artistic work had one guy almost buy him out.  Being on a corner near the south end of the show where patrons come in, I was able to observe luxury cars pull up to the curb and have large pieces of art loaded inside.  It happened all day.  My informal survey showed that a number of painters who did art from the heart had mediocre days.  Some didn't even sell $500.

Sunday, the crowds were slightly smaller, the weather was warmer, and the sales were toasty.  It was another good show to have under my belt for January.  I doubled what I did at Cape Coral.  I know, I can hear someone out in the ether right now saying, "Hell Nels, if you only did $300 last week it wouldn't be hard to double that."  I did alright, and the majority there did all right.

Well, it is Monday morning  and it is raining like a SOB, no golf today.

One other aside.  When I say we made a paycheck, I mean I probably doubled my nut for the show.  Didn't make a lot, but it still pays a bunch of bills.  Just thought I would give you a little perspective.

A fabulous party was held last night in Miami to unveil the poster for the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. It attracted celebrities, socialites and politicians with excellent coverage on the local news channels. If only all art fairs could do this kind of PR to attract the attention to their upcoming events. Interestingly, the poster designer is Guy Harvey, a well-known nautical artist, and not a participating artist as I believe it has been in the past.

The Grove continues to evolve as a master blend of commercialism and culture and changing clientele. Here's hoping the promotion brings to the event what the artists need: an interested art buying crowd to enjoy the entertainment, food, bayfront location, weather and fine offerings of the main attraction, the art.

Here's the story from the Coconut Grove Grapevine: http://coconutgrovegrapevine.blogspot.com/2011/01/this-years-arts-festival-poster.html

They also have a poster unveiling at St. James. Do you know any other art fairs that do this?

Before I forget, notes from the road that I took and had no real internet access. (who really has the patience to blog on a Droid? Not me)...if you’re ever traveling in an RV on I 10 through LA and TX, there’s a terrific rest area just east of the stateline in Slidell, LA.  It’s the Welcome Center available to both east and west bound travelers, set off the interstate, and although it says no overnight parking, the security guard directed us to an RV campground area, separate from the big rigs, where they had a dump station and water pumps available free.  Despite the fact it was 23 degrees that night and we had no gas for the genie for heat, we slept very well.  It’s all about layering.  It reminded me of the show I did in Cape Coral last January, when it was sleeting and dropped to 30 at night.  We had just gotten the RV, and checking out the heater was not on the list of priorities.  Who needs to worry about heat on an RV when you live in Florida, right? 

Today we were able to venture out for pleasure, namely the Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival, and enjoy this absolutely perfect weather that the Phoenix area has to offer this time of year.  The civil engineers/ city planners of Carefree have built a spectacularly beautiful town in Carefree.  I am enchanted by a town that does not have those horrible strip mall billboard store advertisements that seem to line every street in America, and concrete laid everywhere.  The goal of this city's planning was to blend with the natural desert landscape, and they show what can be done with a little careful planning, more focus on aesthetics, and less on the almighty dollar.  And a lot of buckos, too.  Framer Dude was a little annoyed that we couldn't see what was in each shopping plaza as we passed, or even if it was a shopping plaza, and I suppose I see his point from the driver's seat of a ginormous dually in a town really geared for Porsches and Mini coopers.   But it is a town that is a pleasure to explore, even if we had to turn around once or twice to find the Target to get our wireless adapter.  But I digress...

Thunderbird, from what I've heard, is a family-oriented operation that puts on top-notch festivals, and there was great quality art at this show.  There seemed to be a good balance of mediums, and in fact, seemed light on jewelry, probably because it was all very high end.  I got to meet a few artists who will be exhibiting at the Expo next week, who were taking in a last weekend show before settling down for 10 weeks under the tents behind me.  I am really looking forward to this Expo, and confident in Judy, Judi, and Dennis' abilities to attract the buying patrons.  I must admit I have a few worries that I am not Southwest enough.  But I guess that's the normal jitters when one ventures outside one's comfort zone.  From what I've been reading in the AFI discussions, FL's shows have been losing ground for a while, so if I ( as a fairly newcomer to the business) was able to make some profit in FL, then anywhere else will seem like gravy.  Right? No?  I hear about the artists who did shows in the glory days of the 90's and sold out their inventory, had 5 figure shows, and I can't even wrap my mind around that...

This is an enormous setup that goes on here that even Framer Dude the Pragmatic was impressed by.  The 2D artists' booths occupy probably close to 2 1/2 acres under the tent, and I can't fathom the work that goes into putting that puppy up.  Then, there is an outdoor sculpture garden of about half an acre, which includes a Koi pond and specimen plants.  I can't wait to see it all come together.  We've met and broken bread (ok, cracked a beer with) some artists doing double duty and helping to erect this exhibit, and everyone is as nice as can be, which once again makes me glad to have chosen this profession (actually, it chose me).   What's also super sweet is that my booth is only 200 dollying feet away from our RV (and bed)! 

Tomorrow, I bust out the paints and start some sketching for new ideas.  I love the desert and the cactus; it's so different than where I'm from, I'm getting a much needed kick in the pants to try something new!  I just have to be careful when I back up while taking pictures: I almost sat on one of these.

Post from January 10, 5 pm after switching driving...

Well, days and 875 miles into the road trip and Framer Dude and I haven’t killed each other yet, that’s a good sign.  But we have 1,200 miles left, 800 miles of it just through Texas alone, so there’s a lot of tread left on these tires, so to speak. 

I hate interstates.  They take the fun out of a road trip, but for the sake of expediency, they’re a necessary evil.  Coming home I will do secondary routes.  There’s so much out here to see and I don’t want to become cynical, too “been there, done that”, too old in the mind.  That’s one thing that is vastly different between my road trips in my teens and now, and I touched on that in my last post.  I had Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever album (HA!! I just showed my age!!) playing as I left Louisiana and blasted into Beaufort, TX.   I reminisced that I had first bought the cassette tape for a road trip when I was 18 and taking a road trip on I 90 west with my college buddy Warren, when I was the only one in my dorm with a car (my great-aunt’s 71 Maverick, 3 on the tree, no heat, no ac, no power brakes or steering, and a gas gauge that worked intermittently).  We would get a hair up our butt to just “go west” into cow country out of Albany, NY to see what there was to see.  I still remember that sense of adventure, the excitement and we and maybe a few other clueless 18 year old piled into my car and headed west.   No particular destination, just wanted to see what was around the next bend.

I miss that feeling.  Sure, I’m excited as a little painter can be, going to the expo across the country, quitting a 40K steady job to do it, how much more ballsy can you be?  But I want to be that adventurous kid again.  I want to wonder what’s around the next bend, be wide eyed at the mystery and beauty of it all.  I don’t want to be a staid middle ager reluctant to leave the security of my GPS and next clean pair of socks.  Going on a road trip used to mean you definitely weren’t going out there to be sure there was a Walmart within 10 miles.  I know my fellow RV’ers out there know what I mean, and most of us artists too, because that’s what we do- create from a place that inspires us, and try to pass that along. 

But for the moment, time is of the essence, and here I am on on I 10 weaving my artmobile through Houston’s rush hour traffic. I am always a little awed by the sweeping concrete overpasses that crisscross each other around cities, I suppose in the same way that Edward Hopper was when he painted his cityscapes.  There is a kind of industrial beauty that Art Deco was fascinated with.  I may try my hand at painting one of them if I ever get bored of rocks.  I guess if you think about it, the overpasses are a kind of rock...maybe.

April 9 & 10
Miami, Florida
Bayfront Park
200 Artists
Deadline: January 27

Fine artists are invited to apply for Art in the Park Miami, showcasing the best contemporary fine art and craft from around the country. Approximately 200 artists will fill Bayfront Park, downtown Miami's premiere outdoor venue with an outdoor art exhibition destined to be a staple for years to come. We're looking forward to an incredible inaugural show.

Art in the Park Miami will follow The Coconut Grove Arts Festival and Art Basel Miami Beach, rounding out Southern Florida's critically acclaimed season of exhilarating, prominent art fairs.

We are strategically aligning the event with city agencies, industry partners, compelling entertainment and high profile advertising, making this two-day art extravaganza an exciting event for all.

With over 12 million consumers visiting adjacent Bayside Marketplace alone on an annual basis, Art in the Park Miami is destined to be a can't miss annual event drawing tourists from across the nation. We are pleased to be able to partner with Bayfront Management Trust in bridging the gap between the artists and community.

With hundreds of established and emerging artists and thousands of local and international consumers gathered together, Art in the Park Miami is poised to be a highly influential show that will help you gain exposure and increase sales. As the event draws closer, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest show details.

In the meantime, visit www.artintheparkmiami.com for information on exhibiting and planning your stay in Miami. Subscribe to updates on our site, and find us on Twitter and Facebook for to-the-minute news. The festival is produced by Oceanside Productions which also uses this event to support local charitable organizations and artistic endeavors.

Art in the Park Miami: Artist/Exhibitor Highlights:

    •    Located at Bayfront Park, downtown Miami's premiere venue
    •    High volume public media campaign (Billboards, print and multimedia reaching over 3 million
          consumers)
    •    Centrally located and easily accessible
    •    High end consumer base
    •    Quality entertainment and activities for all ages


How exciting--a new event in a great location in a dynamic city! Check it out and apply here:  
                                                 www.ArtintheParkMiami.com.

P.S. While you're at the website take a look at their publicity plans. This group knows this city and is geared up to put their connections to work.

                                                    ********************

Looking for more 2011 art fairs? Visit: www.CallsforArtists.com

Anyone do the Dunedin Art Festival?  I am interested to see how things went.

Jacki

After much gentle but persistent nagging by Connie : )  here is my review of 2010 Columbus Winterfair~

Both Dennis and I exhibited this year and were very happy that the directors John Barr and Carole Snyder again accommodated our booth requests to be side-by-side (so important for couples who are traveling and showing in the same venue.) I had a new booth and lighting layout I wanted to try so I spent a lot of time setting up on Thursday-the committee was able to get us extended set- up time and I was grateful for that.

Friday started off with promise; busy, sales holding steady, less for me than Dennis, but still acceptable. Saturday slowed down for almost all in our immediate vicinity, including us. The first real snow of the season was forecast and perhaps that slowed folks down. I talked to a number of mid-price range jewelers like me and they almost all reported soft sales-still, there were plenty of people, a lot of good energy, but cautious, skittish buying ruled the day. I could not seem to close a sale for hours. I took bets with my neighbor on how fast I could run someone out of the booth just by saying,"Hello." Dennis's sales (ceramic sculpture) were way down as well. High-end jewelers, functional ceramics and fiber/clothing seemed to be doing quite well.

Dennis, being the lovable curmudgeon he is, pronounced the show "all done" by Saturday afternoon, and I wondered if my new booth layout had been a mistake. However, Sunday buyers rescued most people I spoke with, and even Dennis ended up  with sales a little higher than last year (forcing him to recant his pronouncement and for those of you who know him, you can imagine how much he liked  doing that.)

Many artists had ongoing doubts about Winterfair's decision to include a "market" of gourmet food, soap and sauce vendors; They are able to provide the buyer with an under $10 gift and most artists can't even venture near that price point. Still it helps bring in the folks which helps create a better buying energy-so for me it's a toss-up...my vote is still out on that. Plus I like buying handmade soaps and lotions, as well as fun holiday mixes and sauces and it's about the only opportunity I get  since I refuse to go to the malls, especially during the holidays.

Overall, the show committee did a great job of promotion with a lot of community advertising and it showed. They were attentive and addressed issues promptly. They have made smart decisions about the length of the show, changing it from a four-day to a three-day event. Our experience with the Winterfair staff has always been positive. The buyers may be more cautious,but there's nothing new about that in the current economic climate.

Given Ohio's economy, it seems that Winterfair Columbus is holding its own.