A Post About Nothing in Particular...
Earlier today, I discovered a very old voicemail from the organizer of one of the fairs we attend every year... wanting to know "if we were planning to attend the 2024 event."
Of course we are, but I found myself mired down in the typical dilemma of every year: Show organizers want commitments and money in March, and will provide an event in November or December.
When you're barely making ends meet, being out upwards of $1,000 for booth fees for six months can put a real damper on your mood. Yet? It's inevitable. It's simply the way this whole circus works.
Which does sometimes make me sit back and contemplate the whole thing: The artists are mostly broke and can't afford much of anything, and the event organizers are mostly broke and can't afford much of anything... and then they put on an event that draws people who can't really afford much of anything because the people who do have "real money" are Christmas shopping at trendy stores that sell $800 watches and $1,000 handbags.
In some ways, I suppose the world of art has pretty much always been like that... and very few are the artists who actually manage to make even a decent living during their lifetime.
I suppose you eventually have to ask yourself the very basic question of "what's important" to you.
What's important to me is that my art should at least be able to support itself financially... and these days, even that is sometimes a sketchy proposition.
Once upon a time I was still somewhat hopeful that I could scratch out something akin to a "part time income" from art, but I am gradually scrapping that idea... I'm just not finding the support there.
So why even bother with shows?
Well, because that's when the work truly gets to shine! When I can get the painted stones into people's hands it's almost as if a switch goes on inside them and they suddenly want something they 10 minutes previously didn't even know existed!
And so, I keep bothering with shows.
Of course (and keeping in mind this is my general art blog) my mood is currently colored somewhat by the imminence of a $900 car repair bill... and I sit and look at all the pretty work and feel sad at knowing that's not going to pay the bill.
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These are absolutely gorgeous! Such intricate, beautiful designs and delightful colors! Kudos for sharing your artwork, and GOOD LUCK making a decision about the art show!