Art Fairs

As the spring and summer months are quickly approaching and a new round of art fairs begin, I am taking some time to reflect on what I learned in the last year of art markets and to offer some tips and tricks to help you navigate if you are thinking about beginning.

My biggest take away is to simply start even before you think you are ready. It takes time to refine the process, but the sooner you begin, the sooner you will start to figure out what works best for you. If you are thinking about this path, don’t wait for perfection, aim for consistent progress.

Your first market will probably not be your best. You may also go home after your first market and have a good long cry (ahem). The truth is, that it can feel like a lot at first. The arts and craft fair circuit takes some getting use to. Remember that it’s a learning process and each fair provides valuable lessons.

Here I am at the Arbutus Festival of the Arts. It was a very windy day and things were flying! I only brought sand bags for my tent. Biggest take away from this day was to always bring weights for my stands too.

All and All this was a lovely day. I met some great people and made some great sales.

It’s important to know your target audience. Most often I find young adults tend to be drawn to my work so when I spent the weekend at a fair with a considerably older demographic, I didn’t get the same level of interest.

Even if that is the case, remember to network. Art fairs are excellent networking opportunities. Connect with fellow vendors, exchange information, and support each other. At that event, I met some fellow vendors who I still am in touch with today, we support and continue to promote each other on social media, and that’s pretty cool.

Supplies - I am going to do a separate post on this topic. This set up has been good to me, but there are a few things I would like to upgrade in the next year or so. Stay tuned for when I get into the nitty gritty of this topic.

It’s important to mention the Square App to collect payment with a credit card. It is very convenient and user friendly, highly recommend.

Variety of price points. I have been working on building up my print collection. Offering a variety of price points is a great idea. Not everyone is ready to invest in an original piece, so having prints or smaller items can attract a broader audience.

Here I am at a holiday market. This was a very low key and enjoyable event and one I hope to return to again next year.

My biggest take away at this event was to work on branding. This is a big one for me and always a work in progress. At the very least, get yourself a logo and some business cards. I order mine from Vista Print.

Don’t miss out on connecting with interested individuals. Remember to bring a sign-up sheet to collect emails from attendees who want to receive your newsletter. Building an email list allows you to nurture relationships and keep your audience informed about your latest work.

Prepare for all types of weather! Some events are Rain or Shine. This event was the Sykesville Art and Wine Festival and it rained the entire day. It actually ended up being a very lovely event despite the rain.

Here I am tucked away in my tent on a rainy festival day.

The best advice I ever got when I started this journey is to remember to enjoy it. This concept seems so simple, but starting any creative venture can feel overwhelming, and remembering to enjoy the process is essential.

Be a gracious host to those who visit your space -let them immerse themselves in your art. Their enjoyment will resonate with others.

Remember this all takes time and you will learn from each event you do, progress is key. Enjoy the process, connect with fellow artists, and keep refining your approach. With each event, you’ll improve your offerings, enhance your branding, and streamline your setup. Believe me you will learn something new and insightful each time and you will become more and more comfortable with the process.

The key is to start!

Beyond the Blues

I was honored to participate in the invitational themed exhibition at the Columbia Art Center. This organization is so supportive of local artist and I am happy to get to know the art director, Liz Henzey, who is a fantastic advocate of the local arts here in Maryland.

The theme of the show was “Beyond the Blues” which encouraged artist to explore an array of concepts from the color blue, to the music genre, to feelings & emotions, or resilience. I was thrilled to have three pieces of art in this exhibition, all exploring the of stillness of nature at dusk and giving homage to feeling of Beyond.

In todays world, with the non stop hustle and grind that is modern day life, I was hoping to portray still moments in time. A place that one might stop to ponder, even if it’s brief.

In this piece, titled “Night Light” I imagine someone on a nighttime walk though an old city street. She stops to take a look at the moonlit sky and quietly notices light flooding out of a window of a room that is no longer occupied. The birds seem to fly in slow motion overhead as the world stands still.

Finding stillness in a busy world is essential. We all need a moment to pause and let our blues wash away, to dream a little, to forgive a little, to hope a little.

I have been blessed to be able to watch some very entertaining wildlife just outside my window. The deer, groundhogs, birds and the foxes remind me so much of us humans. They are all so different yet share the same space with both hustle and play. They tend to their homes and work to find their meals. They raise their families the best they can. I see them squabble and love. The animals know when to rest.

This piece, titled “Turning Point” explores moving beyond the limits we put on ourselves and the freedom we feel when decide to take those first steps forward.

The theme Beyond the Blues can also be moving beyond a broken heart or a career path that didn’t pan out the way you thought it would. Moving beyond falling short when expectations were too high, and beyond perfectionism. Moving beyond things that are out of your control.

In this piece titled, When light dims, new sparks begin” I imagine taking a seat around a crackling fire to gaze out into the distance. As the fire gives warmth and light, the sun sets on the horizon. This gives the feeling of being grounded right where you are while still knowing the world is vast.

I brought my oldest son to the reception and he took this picture of me. Taking some time to reflect and to know that this little life is truly beyond our greatest comprehension. I always gently remind myself (and my kids) to stay grounded in the gift of the present moment.

I’m so happy to have this little blog as an accompaniment to my art. To write and reflect on the thought process beyond the brush strokes of the canvas is a gift.

A bit more about me

Art and creativity have always been at the center of my life and career paths and gives me the inspiration to be my best.

Through an artful life, I strive to bring positive energy to the community by creating light even in darkness, which is a common theme in my work.

Born and raised in south Louisiana I am familiar with the process of rebuilding and picking up the pieces. I graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in Urban Planning just a month before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

With a lot of ambition and an entrepreneurial spirit, I wanted to help build back the community through the preservation of one of the city's beloved and cultural treasures - historic architecture.

Patching homes back together piece by piece and salvaging history from the landfills was our goal and mission.

Over the next 15 years we artfully restored homes bringing light back to neighborhoods, people, and the spirit of the city. 

I have also been happy to work with several different programs teaching art to children. 

Seeing a child's face light up at their creation is a complete joy, while seeing a child struggle with art and helping them work through the creative process is even more rewarding.

Creating and sharing art with others is so important and something I love to do.

I see art as a tool to embolden emotion and awaken the senses to small details.

I love that art gives complete autonomy to viewer, where a person can freely form an opinion on how the piece makes them feel.

All forms of art are seen through a person's unique lens, individual journey, and perspective.

Art is important to me because it is a shared language of the creative spirit that lives in all of us. 

Through my art I hope to awaken a sense of joy, playfulness, and wonder. My art tends to combine both light and dark at the same time, joyful with an underscore of melancholy.

I explore the wide array of emotions that makes us human. My hope as an artist is to inspire people to go deep, stop to ponder things a bit longer and to be inspired. 

xoxo

Defining my why

Februarys inspiration board

As an artist, I am drawn to the unlimited possibilities of self-expression through painting, collage and mixed media. My work is a reflection of my inner world, shaped by my experiences and perceptions of my outer world.

My creative process is both intuitive and deliberate. I begin with a spark of inspiration, an idea, or an emotion that resonates with me. Through the blending of colors, mark making and careful consideration I allow both spontaneity and intention to guide. This creative process gives my work a sense of playful energy.

I am also deeply influenced by nature, and I am fascinated by the beauty of its imperfections. The everyday parts of nature serve as an enchanting source of inspiration, providing an endless source of mystery and wonder. This inspires me to incorporate patterns and colors found in nature and use them in an abstract and playful way.

Ultimately, my art is a reflection of my unique perspective and my ongoing journey of self-discovery. It is my hope that my work resonates with others, offering them a glimpse into my world while inviting them to reflect on their own.

If you are here and reading, thank you for being part of my journey.

finding beauty in the imperfections

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finding beauty in the imperfections 〰️

The infamous paint brush drawer in its glory