Labor Day
Today is Labor Day and I will be working the third day of a 3 day festival in Oakland, called "the Art & Soul Festival"....day one was cool in every respect of the word, and a tough day all around. Setting up is a two person job, but this time I did it by myself and have a sore back to show for it...oh, well - this comes with the festival territory.
Day two was a lot better in terms of weather, sales, and the music that wafted my way from a stage a block and half away. I may have made a good contact in terms of my commercial artwork, too.
Today will be the last day, and breaking down the show and wrapping up the framed original art will be the last part of it. It is something of an endurance contest, and not for the faint of heart or elderly. The festivals are physically and mentally demanding. The best way I've found to pass the time is to bring a piece of art to wor on; not only does it greatly improve my state of being, but a number of people will be drawn in to my booth by it. I'm always surprised by their questions, however, which are generally asking about the type of paint, paper, or brushes I use. I wonder to myself, "How is that information important to them?" Why not ask something a bit more thought provoking, like, "why did you make that compositional decision?" or "what is your intention when you begin a piece like this one?".....Now, we can get into some good dialogue!
The other aspect of the festivals that I like a lot is the connection with other artists and crafts people. Although we do our share of complalining to each other, we are kindred spirits who are doing our best to make a living creating some beauty. One could have less exalted purposes than that in life, don't you think?
Of course, it's gratifying to sell one's art, and I have sold a lot of my "little prints" at $35 a pop; obviously one has to make a lot of $35 sales to have a successful show, and if I can sell a giclee print or framed piece, I'll come out of this one ok.
The festivals are not a bad way to show and sell one's art, but one always hopes for an easier way too.
Happy Labor Day to one and all.
Day two was a lot better in terms of weather, sales, and the music that wafted my way from a stage a block and half away. I may have made a good contact in terms of my commercial artwork, too.
Today will be the last day, and breaking down the show and wrapping up the framed original art will be the last part of it. It is something of an endurance contest, and not for the faint of heart or elderly. The festivals are physically and mentally demanding. The best way I've found to pass the time is to bring a piece of art to wor on; not only does it greatly improve my state of being, but a number of people will be drawn in to my booth by it. I'm always surprised by their questions, however, which are generally asking about the type of paint, paper, or brushes I use. I wonder to myself, "How is that information important to them?" Why not ask something a bit more thought provoking, like, "why did you make that compositional decision?" or "what is your intention when you begin a piece like this one?".....Now, we can get into some good dialogue!
The other aspect of the festivals that I like a lot is the connection with other artists and crafts people. Although we do our share of complalining to each other, we are kindred spirits who are doing our best to make a living creating some beauty. One could have less exalted purposes than that in life, don't you think?
Of course, it's gratifying to sell one's art, and I have sold a lot of my "little prints" at $35 a pop; obviously one has to make a lot of $35 sales to have a successful show, and if I can sell a giclee print or framed piece, I'll come out of this one ok.
The festivals are not a bad way to show and sell one's art, but one always hopes for an easier way too.
Happy Labor Day to one and all.
posted by Rich Sigberman at
9:01 AM
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