Blog Post Part 2: Better than I thought

I meant to write this a lot sooner than now, but better late than never, right?

All in all, participating in the Pancakes and Booze Art Show taught me A LOT.  I learned that I love showing my art, people are receptive to my art, and most importantly that I am waaaay better at the "business" side of art than I thought I was.

Part of the reason I had been depressed before the show was coming to the realization that as an artist I am pretty much all on my own.  Yes, I am my own boss and can create whatever I want, but I am also my own manufacturer, marketer, agent, promoter, bookkeeper, salesperson, etc.  This realization overwhelmed me because I didn't go to school for business or marketing.  It takes a lot of energy to make the art and then after I'm done I have to sell it too??? 

What I forgot is that even though I may not have a degree in business, I do have over fifteen years experience in customer service and have learned good business practices from each of my current and past employers.

Before I even knew about this art show, I had already created this blog.  I didn't know what I was going to do with it.  I just wanted to be able to show my work.  Then when it came time to submit to the art show I already had a site to direct the curator to that not only showed my work, but also my process and this blog is exactly what got me into the show.

I also had business cards made months ago.

I just figured it would be easier to hand out a card with my art information on it, rather than have to write it down every time I wanted to tell someone about my site.  These cards turned out to be incredibly helpful at the art show.  I wasn't always able to stay close to my pieces during the show, so I left some of the cards nearby for people to take.  And it's a good thing I did because after the show TWO people messaged me about wanting to buy my pieces!!!

(Thank you, Davida!)

(Thank you, Ashley!)

Also, the piece that Ashley was interested in was one I had already sold at the show, BUT I had the sense it would be a good seller and had already made 2, so it all worked out!! 

Out of the 7 pieces I took to the show, I sold 5 all together.  All of this is proof that I have good instincts when it comes to which pieces will sell and that I do have good business ethic. These things are good to know :)

~LH

Blog Post Part 1: The Art Show!!

Hey everyone,

I've been lagging updating my blog, but that's probably a good thing because it means things are happening!

The Pancakes and Booze Art Show was an INCREDIBLE experience for my first outing as an artist and a HUGE SUCCESS!!

 (The first night of the show I arrived a little after 8:00 

and there was already a line to get into Lot 613!)

My biggest thanks go to Tom Kirlin for accepting my pieces into the show and giving unknown artists a chance to show their work.  He has no idea the path he has started myself and so many new artists on.  Here are a couple of shots of my art on the wall:

(My 3 pieces are the heart, the piece below 

it and the ice cream eating the TV.)

(All the artists surrounding my pieces were amazing.  

The staff did a great job of hanging like-artists together.)

(Me with my pieces.)

(They had some great live music too!)

The first night of the show I did not sell any pieces, but the second night my friends Meghan and her fiance Charlie came and immediately snatched up two of my paintings:

 

And since I sold two pieces I was able to put two more up on the wall!

(I chose the piece with the balloon 
and Kirby in the black frame.)

(I loved watching people react to my art.

It was addicting!)

 Toward 11:30 PM I started to get really tired, but something told me to stick around a little longer.  Then, just before midnight this gentleman suddenly stepped forward saying he wanted to buy my piece entitled "You and Me Balloon".

Here is a better picture of the painting:

I told him the story of how the inspiration for the painting is from one of my best friends from high school and how we used to say that we were each other's balloon and string.  The balloon needs the string to stay grounded and the string needs the balloon to stay lifted. He said that is exactly the way it is with he and his boyfriend and he said the story made him love the piece even more!!

That concluded my time at my very first art show.  It was such a thrill just to show my work and to sell some was the icing on the cake!  The thought that my art is hanging in people's homes, spreading love and joy tickles me to no end.  I will definitely be participating in as many shows as possible from now on.  Thank you to everyone who came and to everyone who supports my Little Hibachi art project from miles away!