I must admit I didn't hold out much hope on the sales front, although I could have sold one item several times over… however, the improvised paper-weight, a rather splendid Cornish pebble, wasn't for sale. The show did provide me with a rare opportunity to gauge honest reaction to my newer work. I'm quite steadfast in the belief that my recent change of medium, and development of style, will be beneficial in the long-run, but it was great to witness that my newer acrylic works, as opposed to my earlier watercolour paintings, were generally much better received.
The weather was glorious, thus attracting lots of visitors. Sadly, due to my late application, I did not have the most advantageous position (perhaps half of the foot-fall of pitches situated closer to the restaurants/attractions), and my display and general organisation was a little 'under-cooked' (lots of lessons learnt on that front). Fortunately, I managed to sell an original painting, and a few other bits-and-pieces, thus returning a decent profit.
The weather was glorious, thus attracting lots of visitors. Sadly, due to my late application, I did not have the most advantageous position (perhaps half of the foot-fall of pitches situated closer to the restaurants/attractions), and my display and general organisation was a little 'under-cooked' (lots of lessons learnt on that front). Fortunately, I managed to sell an original painting, and a few other bits-and-pieces, thus returning a decent profit.
Will I do it again? Yes! I can see how a fair, like this, could be very good for a self-representing artist. Next time I will much better prepared… I'll take some sun-cream for starters.
If you have any specific questions about my experience at the fair, or if you have any suggestions for other art fair/shows within the Essex and Suffolk area, please leave a little comment either on here, or on my facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/PaulBaileyWatercolours]. I will try to answer as soon as possible. Thanks.
PS. Congratulations to my good wife. She had the stall next to mine. It was her first show too, and she managed to sell a couple of her gorgeous cushions. They were quality items, and priced accordingly to the level of skill and work involved. I hope this gives her the confidence to progress. Also, I appreciate her much needed help with my stall… ta love!
If you have any specific questions about my experience at the fair, or if you have any suggestions for other art fair/shows within the Essex and Suffolk area, please leave a little comment either on here, or on my facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/PaulBaileyWatercolours]. I will try to answer as soon as possible. Thanks.
PS. Congratulations to my good wife. She had the stall next to mine. It was her first show too, and she managed to sell a couple of her gorgeous cushions. They were quality items, and priced accordingly to the level of skill and work involved. I hope this gives her the confidence to progress. Also, I appreciate her much needed help with my stall… ta love!
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| Open moorland One of my newer works on display |
Great news that you and your wife had such a good fair, as they can be rather disappointing. I must be a strange person because I love your earlier work. Not to say I don't like your newer stuff but the water colours were the kind of pieces I would love to own. But it is nice to see them develop. May you have many more succesful ones!
ReplyDeleteCheers Hannelore for your kind comments. You're definitely not strange – I like some of my older stuff too. The thought has often crossed my mind that if, in a parallel universe, I continued on the watercolour 'little cottage in amongst the hills' path where would I be now? Maybe more successful, as they had an unique selling point, or hook, to entice the viewer/buyer, but, the problem is, my heart wasn't in it anymore.
DeleteSo will you be taking more pebbles with you next time too. :). Good to know that you sold an original. I would have thought prints would have sold better than an original piece, due to price and art not really being a spontaneous purchase as some other craft items at these fairs.Gina aka Zuleikha's art
ReplyDeleteHi Gina. Yes, I too thought that would be the case. To my surprise there were people with deep pockets in attendance! I spoke to one exceptional artist who sold a small painting for more than £250 – his work was by far best on show in my opinion (I later discovered that he had been selected by the RA for their summer show on a couple of occasions). Another artist sold a couple of large canvases for £200-ish – her work was very striking. There are three reasons why I didn't shift more prints: my relatively poor location; my substandard print display; and lack of pricing strategy. All of these will be addressed next time!
Deletei love your new stuff and i love your old stuff. i always get drawn into your paintings when you post one.
ReplyDeletebtw, you should come over here and do the art festival i do in houston. outside in 100 degree weather every time whether it be march or october. it's almost to the point where i dread going but i have to get rid of my jewelry somehow lol
Thank you Deborah. A hundred degrees! I'm a fair-skinned Englishman (with slight ginger undertones… OK, amongst the grey), I would have evaporated!
DeleteCongrats on the sale! I love your new medium and style.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phillip.
ReplyDelete