How NOT to conduct business at an art show - need suggestions.

[mame]

What is a "plein air style" frame? I don't do frames or work plein air so unfamiliar with the term

PS - never mind. Followed my own advice and looked it up

[timelady]

have to admit, I'd like to know. I googled it but just saw a lot of standard type frames (though mostly gold?).

[mariposa-art]

I just got a lot of plein aire style frames. They come in 6x8", a size I use often. The frames are decent quality (that I can see). Is there some problem with them?

Here are some plein aire frames (the same kind that I have): http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discou...yle-frames.htm

[mame]

timelady - all the frames at the several sites I looked at labeled "plein air" look like the ones in Mariposa's link to jerrysartarama

[it'sALLart]

Originally Posted by mariposa-art

I just got a lot of plein aire style frames. They come in 6x8", a size I use often. The frames are decent quality (that I can see). Is there some problem with them?

I have a problem with all frames.

[Freesail]

Originally Posted by mariposa-art

I just got a lot of plein aire style frames. They come in 6x8", a size I use often. The frames are decent quality (that I can see). Is there some problem with them?

Here are some plein aire frames (the same kind that I have): http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discou...yle-frames.htm

Many of the plein air frames I saw were as I said high end with craved edge molding. If they weren't gold, they were some dark wood with gold trim accents. Also very few of the paintings were smaller then 11x14. Most were large and priced in the 1000's of dollars. I saw many with red dots indicating that they were sold.

All the painting at the Rittenhouse square art show were originals, no prints allowed.

[timelady]

With good timing, Xanadu gallery has release a free ebook How to Succeed at Art Shows and Festivals. http://www.reddotblog.com/wordpress/...and-festivals/

Jason's other books are excellent. I've just downloaded this but not read it yet.

Tina.

[old_hobbyist]

Re: CC/Debit cards. A long time ago, when I was actively selling in outdoor venues, these devices were rare. My colleagues and I had no problem accepting personal checks. I never got a bogus check over several years and perhaps several dozen major sales and neither did my colleagues. But maybe those were more innocent times.

[Davkin]

I don't know anybody that carries a checkbook anymore, I certainly don't!

[timelady]

Originally Posted by old_hobbyist

Re: CC/Debit cards. A long time ago, when I was actively selling in outdoor venues, these devices were rare. My colleagues and I had no problem accepting personal checks. I never got a bogus check over several years and perhaps several dozen major sales and neither did my colleagues. But maybe those were more innocent times.

They are still rare here at events that mainly accept artists (in contrast to events that mainly accept galleries). Merchant accounts are too expensive for many sole traders and we don't have the new options like Square (yet!) because they don't satisfy European chip and pin regulations. It will happen! Sometimes the venue or event organisers will have a card terminal and take payments for artists for a %.

Most people are very surprised that I *do* accept cards at artist events.

Tina.

[vmrs]

this is NOT plagiarism or copyright fraud. AT ALL. Please understand that copyright only covers work for a certain period of time.

Legally, you can paint from works that are copyright free, but if one claims them as their own, then they're a liar and unethical and I won't buy from them.

[michaelaccorsi]

The feedback and suggestions across the board are incredibly helpful. I've asked hundreds of artists - the funniest one so far, "don't try to touch up your work the day of a show, I pulled out a can of varnish, it turned out to be white spray paint." - ouch.

Thanks everyone, I'll be posting this blog article on my blog and Escape into Life art blog and sending it from China. Off to paint a body of work there. Thanks.

[McKeeJane]

Most mature artists have one subject matter. That's a GOOD sign, not a bad one. In fact if an artist dabbles in lots of subjects I often won't buy from them - I assume they're an amateur or not experienced enough yet to invest in.

I'm glad Picasso didn't worry about this one.

Not to say that I oppose having a central theme, style, subject matter...nothing wrong with cohesiveness...but I can't agree that the absence of it is a sure sign of an amateur. To many, being an artist means being an artist...not necessarily a "_________ artist". I paint lots and lots of watercolor flowers...but I can't stand the idea that because this is what I've done, this is what I always must do...yuck. Glad people seem to like my recent sculptures and such just fine too.

As for turn offs - there's a fine art between being friendly, approachable and welcoming...and making people feel that there must be a purpose to their being in your booth. I'm often in a really thoughtful, introspective mood when I'm at a gallery or fair and I just want to look, wander and think - it's not fair, but often being asked if I'm looking for anything in particular, if I have any questions, etc just makes me feel guilty that I'm not and I don't, I start to feel observed and uncomfortable...and move on to somewhere I can really look and think. But, once I do have a question, I want someone around who seems like they're going to be happy answering it.
No posted prices is a huge turn off too. I'm just not going to ask. Ever. And I feel that, in this economy it's just rude to make people. I don't know how many people have balked at my prices - and then it just ends up making both of us feel awkward. I just don't understand why anyone would do that when a little sign is just so much easier.

[Greg Long]

Originally Posted by Davkin

I don't know anybody that carries a checkbook anymore, I certainly don't!

I do! Cheques are very handy when working and travelling around the countryside. There are very few ATMs or credit card machines in small country villages.

[markshirar]

Originally Posted by McKeeJane

I'm glad Picasso didn't worry about this one.

Not to say that I oppose having a central theme, style, subject matter...nothing wrong with cohesiveness...but I can't agree that the absence of it is a sure sign of an amateur. To many, being an artist means being an artist...not necessarily a "_________ artist". I paint lots and lots of watercolor flowers...but I can't stand the idea that because this is what I've done, this is what I always must do...yuck. Glad people seem to like my recent sculptures and such just fine too.

great point. I usually have 3-4 pieces in 3-4 different styles going on all at the same time. Over time I the successful pieces build up to make a nice collection within a style, but I'd never be able to just do one type of work and not try other mediums and styles.