First Art Fair of the Season

Well I made it through my busy week which included a plein air session, delivering works to the Art Life Gallery in Lombard, the last of my 4 part alcohol ink class and the first art show of the season in St. Charles.

Despite some very threatening clouds, some heavy down pours during set up (My hair was so wild that it scared a 6 month old - my too. ) and a gloomy weather forecast; things went well and the weather was pretty good, not too hot - just right. It was the first time I used my new booth. I was pleased, it takes up less room in transport and was cooler than my last booth.

My favorite thing about doing these shows is the people I meet.

I decided to paint the pavilion in St. Charles so I would have something local people could talk about. On Saturday I met a couple who told me about their friend that worked on the project and on Sunday I was thrilled when a man walked into my booth and introduced himself as the architect for the rebuild. He was born and raised in St Charles and I got the impression this was a labor of love for him. It was fascinating.


I learn a lot from other artists who wonder in and want to talk about different techniques, (The big tip was Golden interference colors -who knew? More later if it works.) or share tips they've learned from doing shows over the years.

Friends and family members drop by to say hello...


 
 I get to see some people I haven't seen for years. (In fact it happened three times this weekend.)
How wonderful is that?
 
We were well taken care of by friends who live in the area... great food, lots of wine, many laughs and terrific friends. Thanks Lauri and Ken. 

And we got to see this cutie! 
(My hair was better by Saturday night.)
Thanks also to Sam and Mark for whom I could not have done this weekend without.
 

 

Riverside Arts Walk, a fun Weekend

Last weekend was the RAW show. The Riverside Arts Walk.

Rain threatened us most of the weekend but all in all the weather was pretty good. Not too hot, a good breeze and rain mostly at night.

It was fun to go back to the area I grew up in. My parent's lived in LaGrange for 50 years. Riverside is about 10 minutes away. The RAW show was very close to Brookfield Zoo where I spent a lot of my youth and much of my early motherhood days with my own children. In fact, my husband and I had our first apartment together close by in Berwyn.  While driving by  Loyola hospital I shouted, " That's were you and Beth were born."to my daughter. A lot of fond memories were made there.


As we were close to the old neighborhood, we were visited by Aunt Roz and her family, along with my best friend and her family, and my sister and brother-in-law. It always makes the show so much more special with the support and love of family.

Meredith Wenzel with her hand blown glass.

Being in a two day show is somewhat like going away to camp for the weekend. You meet a lot of really interesting people, not only those attending the show but the other art exhibitors as well.  This show wasn't a huge success financially but we certainly had a great time talking to those around us.

Sandra Ragan was game to trying alcohol inks.

 



 Sunday seemed to be a much better day and I have to attribute that to painting. People love to see others creating their artwork. It's something I have to remember to do more often. This time was a bit challenging without a table and the wind which blew away my photograph away several times and dropped little worms and other debris from the overhead tree. But we made do and it was great fun showing people what alcohol inks can do.


Probably the best part was sharing the time with my daughter, Samantha Rae, who was such an incredible help and stayed with me the entire weekend. Doing a show like this takes a huge amount of effort and I couldn't have done it without her help or that of my husband, Mark who sets up my heavy booth and takes it down with never a complaint.  Thanks guys, and Matt too, for all your support.

Getting Ready for Art Shows - A Check Off List

The shows have been applied to and have accepted you ... 
now what?

 

Here is a checklist/timeline for getting ready for shows:

When you find out: Paste show to events page on your web page. Add to all calendars. Pay
                                                any booth fees.
Three Months before the show:Go through inventory - order scans of new
                                                  work, prints and cards etc.
The Month Before: Start advertising show on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.
                                                You can start just talking about painting pictures for it and getting ready.

                Process printing orders, bag, tag and add certificates to all prints, box and price all card sets.
                
                Go through current original works  Frame, wire, tag and add certificates to all originals,
                                                        bag, tag and add certificates to all originals not being framed.

                 Read through the show notes and web page to make sure you have show specifics and
                                                       understand all rues and expectations. 
The Week Before: Go through current inventory; pack framed works, bagged works- original
                               and prints - and all other  merchandise cards, calendars etc.

                Start Packing the list below.

                Go to bank and get cash and change.

                Read through the show notes and web page to make sure you have show specifics and
                               understand all rues and expectations. AGAIN. You don't want any surprises.

The Night Before: Review packing list and do any last minute tasks.

                 Charge cell phone, I Pad, etc .


Pack for the show:
Booth
Tent
Weights
Level and hooks 
Artist Sign or Banner
Print holders
Wire holders for prints, signage and cards
Chair or two
Tarps for securring at night
Poncho and unbrella
Glass cleaner and paper towels
Extra labels and Blank labels
Art Materials for Demo
Tool Box: Scissors, Hammer, Screw driver, pliers,
Table and Table Cloth
Tapes; painters, mailing and scotch
Square for credit and cash PHONE fully charged with extra batteries
Receipts, calculator and pens
Promotional Items; business cards, postcards, hand outs,
                               sign up for mailing list, artist statement and bio, card holders
Plastic Bags for sales and wrapping supplies - bubble wrap, saran wrap
Framed works, bagged works, cards and other merchandise
Parking Permits or other materials sent to you by the show.
Water, food, cooler
Camera
Book to read

Have a Happy Art Fair!

Did I miss anything? Please leave a comment.