It takes time, energy and cooperation to put together a really good display of artworks or any item for show and/or sale. Why I bother is beyond me at this point but for some reason I do, like so many others. First, we create works of art which is not so much a chore but a wonderful creative release, a passion. But then comes the stockpile of works, even after giving considerable amounts away to friends and family, that need to be properly stored or displayed. Many of us try to find innovative ways in which to store the growing pile and also to have them shown. This brings me to the preparation for a show. After all, there is something about sharing our hearts and souls with the world, pandering for some sort of affirmation all the while reminding ourselves, that is not why we are here.
Most of us can find at least one opportunity to display works at some annual community-wide event. These are nice venues since family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances will support you in the effort and have something nice to say when they come by. The problem with their encouragement however, is that you are always suspect of their viewpoint and while it keeps you going, it's not what you are truly seeking. If you can get them to help with setting up, selling or storing your works, they are quite an asset. Then, there are the people who often are looking for flea market bargains or worse the ones who already know the name of a more established artist and openly hightail it past "lesser knowns" to see if they can afford the latest from the local "celeb". The economy plays a big part as well for those still on the fringes because limited funds are being spent on increasingly more expensive materials forcing prices up or profits down on works that cannot yet compete with better known artists. You know going in that these things are true and keep reminding yourself that it's about the art not the sale. However, the reality is that compliments can only sustain your passion for so long. At some point a sale must take place in order to feed your addiction to the medium.
Prize money is another good way to sustain the habit since the prestige of being a prize winner and added cash reward offer you some means to recoup the costs associated with creating art. You have to submit works and go to shows for this to happen. Winning is something that is very hard to rely on though and often requires your leaving the comfort of your local community. I don't know why but it seems that showing outside your community often increases your chances of winning or at least being recognized. Depending on the size and type of community you are from it may be more or less hard to get into the prize winning elite. If you are in smaller more rural communities then of course you will need to venture further away to be recognized for anything cutting edge, radical or innovative if that's what you create. Yet we can all get stuck in our small closed off spaces and even the bigger communities may have this problem. Let's face it, it's hard to find something that hasn't been done or tried before. So I guess it's not surprising that the ones who can recreate the same old traditional favorites of landscapes, portraits and still life get the greater accolades. And for most of us, let's face it, we aren't going to hang some misshapen, boldly colored interpretation of
man's reluctance to commit to a relationship on our walls. We want something familiar, that goes with the decor. I do admire and love some of the realists myself, so I'm not complaining. Just remember, if you want to win, most of the time you'd better stick to the conventional stuff.
Make sure when picking your shows that the venue is right for your works. Don't take stark abstracts to the county fair. You're just asking to be ridiculed and rightly so. Select a group of works that are similar or speak well to each other so when they are displayed people can connect to the whole. I speak from experience, most viewers are not interested in seeing how versatile you are. They are looking for something pleasant, perhaps provocative and something they can understand. If you put together a selection of pieces that compete with each other or have no connectedness, then the people will not connect either. As for the display, select a few really good pieces and then, if allowed, put other works in bins or portfolios to be perused by those who like what they see hanging. One thing about the unframed bins is that people feel like they're getting a deal. Of course you can always offer your framed pieces for an unframed price as well. In tight times you may want to consider prints and/or cards of your works as well for those real bargain hunters. However, keep it as simple as possible because you have to crate all this stuff up coming and going from the event. Hopefully, you won't have as much at the end, but it is rare for artists to sell the majority of what they bring.
Even prize winners will tell you the greatest reward is in selling your works. This takes time and patience for the best of artists. In good times all of us can get in on the profits but if the economy tanks, then everyone takes the hit. Unless you are a prominent up and comer or established artist who's works may be considered an investment, forget about it. This is when one or two faithful benefactors come in handy. Barring that, artists have to come up with ways in which to minimize, recycle and/or just be happy creating for that sunny day you hope to see in not the too distant future. There are ways in which to get in on profits and still feed the creation habit. Some call this reverting to craft over art, but I say, "it doesn't have to be squeezed into a frame to be art. " Art can be practical in its own way. A painter can create on varying canvases. Silk scarves, purses, hats, jackets, shoes and other accessories can carry glorious images and help to get your works seen. Household objects like pillows, lamps, fountains and other various useful objects can become the base for your art project as well. While some consider this a sellout or worse yet, beneath the
art purist, I say, "hogwash." Take a look at what goes for art these days. It's not always about really being innovative or particularly creative; it's about who says it's art. Money and power play as much a part in this endeavor as any other. Sadly, for most it may take departure from the world for works to be recognized or appreciated to their fullest. But isn't this true for so many things. Our fondness grows as the availability dwindles or disappears all together.
In the end, don't sweat the small stuff and remember why you are an artist. By all means, show your work at some point. Do this either in a gallery, juried show or art show and sale. You can also do this online now but it is not the same as having the actual works viewed by the public. Make sure you get it out into the light sometime. Also, engage someone close to you to share in the event, someone who can encourage and stand by you. People can be both consciously and unconsciously critical; take these moments as a learning experience. Timing is everything and with art even more so. It may or may not be your time, don't give up.
