A Look Back at Bartlett's Festival of Art

As always, I had a great time at the 

Bartlett show last weekend.

Mark opened the back panel of my booth allowing more air flow and a place for me to sit in the back to demo painting.                                                                                              Samantha found umbrellas for our chairs which was so great under the hot sun.

Again, I was visited by several family members and friends as I show in their neighborhoods. It's always great to see everyone and their support means so much to me.

Right behind our booth was the stage where they had wonderful musicians and terrific dance groups all weekend long.

It was a good weekend.

Next, 317 Studio and Gallery where I will demo alcohol inks this Friday.

For more info on this event 

or more go here.

Cooper's Top Tem Reasons NOT to do an Art Show

This weekend is the Festival of Arts in Bartlett. 

I'm looking forward to it and am packing as we speak but about a half an hour ago I was 

approached by my studio manager, Cooper, with the top 10 reasons NOT to do art shows.

Cooper, my studio manager

Please understand that the opinions expressed by my studio manager are not necessarily

 shared by myself. I feel compelled to share his list as I promised I would 

so others may be aware of these dangers.

The Top10 Reasons NOT to do Art Shows:

according to Cooper

1. You never know who you might meet at these things. You may be exposed to new ideas and art. It may change your art and your thoughts forever.
2. No one really likes to meet the artist of the work they own. People prefer the mystery of not knowing anything about an artist.
3. It's too much work packing, traveling, setting up, sitting there talking to people and tearing down.
4. You should not show any of your artwork until it is absolutely perfect... and let's face it, you have not reached perfection yet.
5. It's too expensive; jury fees, booth fees, traveling expenses, meals, hotel fees. These monies could be used for more appropriate items such as doggie treats.
6. If you're not selling out at these shows, what's the point? You'll just have to pack it all up again and bring it home.
7. You may have to answer a lot of questions about your work. Why this subject, technique, etc.?
8.  You may hear some negative remarks about your work, "the prices are too high, they can do the same work themselves." You may hear some positive comments and then become too confident.
9. You will miss me too much. I will not be there to encourage you. You may get depressed.
10. There probably will be other dogs there. They may will try to persuade you to take them home. No siblings please!

Disclaimer: 

The opinions expressed are of that 

of my studio manager, Cooper.

 Jill Rae Finally Art does not necessarily

 agree with these opinions. 

Note to Cooper, 

Thank you Cooper for your concern. I will see you Sunday knowing that I am leaving you in loving hands of Mark and Matt. Samantha and I will try not to enjoy ourselves too much. And no matter how many pups I pet, I am well aware there is no one like you. You are the best.

Love, 

    Jill Rae

For more information about the Festival of Arts in Bartlett and 

other shows I am participating in see my events page here.

It's show Time

And so it starts... I woke up at 4AM thinking, "What pictures will I bring to 317 on the 3rd?" Then my mind went racing... tonight the Tom Hefflin critique at the guild, finish the Lilly watercolor today for it, finish the dogs, do maybe three more Drive Bys for 317, do four small 8 x 8's for the gallery Up North etc. etc. etc. Did I really agree yesterday to co-chair a new show in October?

The warmer months always brings more activity. And I'm thrilled! I love meeting people and the variety of people I've met at shows is incredible. I always walk away from any event with an interesting story to tell about who I've met.




Here's a list of my events for the next few months.

     June 27-28, Bartlett Festival of the Arts
                  10AM-5PM both days,
                   Outdoors in Bartlett Park, Bartlett Illinois  
                                                                      
      July 3rd, First Friday at 317 Studio and Gallery- Artist at Work
                  with pieces on display in the gallery,
                  317 Market Street, Rockford Illinois

      July 15, 29 August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 9 Rockton River Market
                 4 -8 PM, Old Settlers Park, Rockton Illinois,
                 Artist at work

      August 22-23, Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts
                 10AM - 5PM. Maryknoll Park,
                  845 Pershing Ave., Glen Ellyn, Illinois

      September 6-7, Art Fair on the Square 2015- Lake Forest
                   10AM - 5PM, Market Square  &
                    Western Avenue, Lake Forest, Illinois

      September 19-20, Rockford Art Museum Greenwich Village Art Fair
                     10AM - 6PM Sat. 10AM to 5PM Sun,
                       Rockford Art Museum at
                       Riverfront Museum Park

       October 2-3, Fall Art Scene, City Hall Rockford
                       Fri 5 - 9PM, Sat 4 - 9PM

   For more information and links visit my web page Here.

 Hope to see you there!