tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936122319979550678.post1339490566370866534..comments2024-02-16T21:58:11.220-05:00Comments on Artventuring: Show Report: Festival in the Park, 2010Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09133136131391691450noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936122319979550678.post-79530909142541021202011-04-09T10:07:17.743-04:002011-04-09T10:07:17.743-04:00Oh Michelle, where to start?
First, your work &qu...Oh Michelle, where to start?<br /><br />First, your work "IS" amazing! I love, love love the Ancentress series and I love your quilted mirrors and your clocks are fabulous. The colors, the tribal designs, the layout, the utility of the artwork. It's all great as it is. <br /><br />Second, Don't stop doing what you love - the Ancestress series, in particular. What we love fuels who we are as artists. Doing what we love doesn't create blocks and boundaries. With that said, it is so frustrating when people don't buy the work that we love to make. I would suggest that you consider marketing the Ancentress series to spiritual-type stores and via online sources and alternative galleries, if you still do not have luck with them at vendor fairs in 2011. Because they are shadow boxes you should be able to easily ship them around the world. They are fabulous! I don't know the price or size of them but I have to believe there is a niche market for that type of work. I have many of the same struggles with my African-oriented masks. But there definitely are a few markets that gravitate toward ethnic masks: gay men, people on a spiritual journey, and folks who appreciate Afrocentric art.<br /><br />Third, nearly all art shows were crappy in 2010. Everywhere. I had my worst sales year in 8 years last year. I really felt as though I lost a lot of ground. But most of my artist friends did too. Don't beat yourself up. Don't lost faith in your talent. See #2 above.<br /><br />Fourth, I have reevaluated where I sell work, big time. I used to do a lot of vendor art fairs. But being a clay artist you know how heavy the work is, how careful you must be to pack it, how sturdy your display must be, how difficult it can be to physically set up the show and sit there for hours, etc. It is great to meet lots of interesting people and talk with them about the work, but shows are hard. Then there are galleries which have their own set of problems, like they take 40-50% of the sale and, because the economy is bad for them too, they do not pay the artist as regularly as they should (see my Blog on this topic: http://kanikamarshall.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-much-can-brain-stretch.html). <br /><br />Fifth, this year I shall have more studio shows for my customers. They get to see the studio and where the art is made, how art looks in a home setting, and how the outdoor art looks in a garden setting. Oh, and the artist does not have to pay a booth fee or commission on the work!<br /><br />Sixth: I got a new website, www.KanikaMarshall.com, thru Artspan and I intend to sell more thru the website, like I used to do. Shipping to art lovers all over the world is rewarding on so many levels.<br /><br />Seventh: People still spend money on their hair, nails, Starbucks coffee, nighttime movies and other short-term investments. All of those things disappear quickly, but art lives on and can be inspiring every day. Do your collectors know that? <br /><br />Eighth: it is a good idea to always be growing in technique and substance. Looking thru your blog, you are never standing still and are always learning.<br /><br />Bottom line: don't lose heart my new friend. Know that your talent is there and that people will love your work. The right people will come. 2011 is a much better year for selling art already. Keep on keepin' on!Kanika Marshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03731033922551923240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936122319979550678.post-91760954618576268782010-10-06T23:18:01.678-04:002010-10-06T23:18:01.678-04:00Well, sometimes, things don't turn out okay ju...Well, sometimes, things don't turn out okay just because it was successful the past years. Things change, along with people and the economy. Just be patient and look for other alternative places to showcase your art again. Don't lose hope, just be patient and everything will turn out okay. Somewhere, people are waiting to see, appreciate, and purchase your artworks. Goodluck.:-)Edie Mindellhttp://www.simplyuniquebabygifts.com/baby-gift-baskets.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936122319979550678.post-81289548649521107402010-10-02T16:15:40.092-04:002010-10-02T16:15:40.092-04:00Cindy, I agree with you about the venue. This sho...Cindy, I agree with you about the venue. This show got me to thinking about the kinds of people who frequent festivals, and whether they're really the people I'm tying to reach with my art. Your statement "you just have to sell where they are buying" is so true! Next year, I'll be looking to venture into those places, to see if I can attract those who are looking for original art, and who don't mind spending the money. Not that my prices are that outrageous (at least that's what I've been told); but that's another area I need to examine--perhaps my prices are off-putting to those who want to spend more! It's so hard to know exactly what will work!<br />Thanks for stopping by, and leaving a comment; I truly appreciate it.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09133136131391691450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936122319979550678.post-7871576366678863342010-10-01T14:47:01.811-04:002010-10-01T14:47:01.811-04:00I am so sorry to hear that! That must have been di...I am so sorry to hear that! That must have been disappointing. Shows like that are so much work to prepare for. At least you still have inventory to work with.<br /><br />I stopped doing some of the shows because of exactly that reason. I now sell only smaller ticket jewelry pieces ($15 - $45) that aren't so difficult to justify for the general public to buy. <br /><br />There are still plenty of wealthy people who are willing to buy art right now. You just have to sell where they are buying. Looks like the festival isn't the right place right now for your work. At least your bigger pieces. Maybe it will be in the future again?Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutorhttp://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/texture-plates-video-polymer-clay-library/11697/noreply@blogger.com