It was definitely an experience being in an art show, I’d rather sell online and plan an event than be in one, to be honest. When my art starts feeling like work, then it’s no longer fun or my downtime. Also kind of felt like since I didn’t really know anyone in the art community (aka, I don’t have time in the middle of the day to go to art meetups and hang out at the library nor would I do that if I had free time), my art exhibit was in the location away from the main event (beer and wine).

The Artist Den is awesome and the people are incredibly awesome but the event seems very unplanned out, there were no signs directing people to the other art exhibits or even people directing people to the other locations, sure there was a map and balloons but I didn’t see any signs, pointing more art down that street. And the few people that came through to the Artist’s Den, were checking out the photos above my exhibit created by the Artists at the Den.

My event that I planned last year while small at least had signs posted on all the freeway exits directing people to the event.

As an artist exhibiting work for the first time, I’ve been drawing and painting and designing since I was little but never had the time or desire to actual exhibit my art until recently but I think that the resources for new artists aren’t relatively available, for example, how does one price there art? I got one snobby answer from a gallery owner about how I wasn’t in Orinda, pretty sure that wasn’t helpful. Sure, maybe she was having a bad day or she really doesn’t like teaching little kids art classes to pay the bills but one crabby answer to one potential client is bad for business, I absolutely loved a painting at her gallery but I wont’ buy from her now, I’ll track down the artist instead.

Should you mat your art or frame it?
Do you need to get to know all the retired old people at the library to get the good locations at art fairs?
What is an art fair like?
Do you need your own table and tent?
How do you display your art correctly?
What are the options for displaying art?
How much should you bring?

Overall, it was good experience, I learn some things about myself. I absolutely love art and design but I don’t want to do art shows in general but I might do more events in the future when I have everything together and its a simple pack up the truck and head to a show, rather than rush trying to get things to dry and work for a show. I met some great people. And I want to get my art out there which is why I’m going to finish the shopify site and will also be showcasing other artist’s work on the site. My take on – an online gallery