Unfortunately footfall was terrible and if I hadn't had a host of visitors arriving at intervals the whole thing would have been absolutely dead! We kept the kitchen going with tea, coffee and cakes!!! It was a lovely day and just about a mile away there was a big fayre going on, a friend had been there and said it was heaving so maybe a lot of our potential customers were there.....
A learning experience... still not sure about the prices, but looking at the work there mine was pitched about right, I didn't want to overprice but was also concerned about underpricing as I want to be taken seriously. I would have also had a sale for my horses head
http://judithfarnworthart.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/unspoken-kindness.html
had I not already given it to my son, and might have a commission to do something similar so will wait and see about that. One of the other artists asked me did I have any cards so I might look at that for the future. Trouble is, all this is so costly when starting up without any money coming in.... I have had to frame 10 pictures which is an expensive job but they are all ready and waiting now for the next one!!!
I have a slot at an exhibition, the first one to be held in our small town, which has been well publicised and is an event at the local church to commemorate the Jubilee. Am hopeful the foot flow will be better at this next one, the church has a good following and there are some professional artists showing so although my work won't be up to their standard it won't be their prices either. Will be an interesting experience and hopefully will give me the opportunity to meet some more people and network myself a bit more locally.
So that's my first experience...... not a success if we define that by sales but not a failure either as I learned a lot.... I need to take some hooks!!!! That's one thing to remember for next time. So, will keep plodding on, trying to get my work out there, the next one is 26th May so onwards and upwards!!!
Well done Judith. Good 'first steps'. Promoting oneself is an art on its own.
ReplyDeleteYes congratulations Judith, it is always a bit scary whether it is the first or not, I am sure with the feedback you got you will add this knowledge and be prepared well for your next one
ReplyDeleteCongratulation Judith and yes, learning and feedback on your works is important. Your paintings look great hanging on the peg board. My first show I framed a few and matted the rest, it does get expensive. I only sold one painting to a friend. Funny thing is he bartered me down to 50 dollars less, oh well;-)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Brian, am not sure I have a clue how to do it either!!! Any tips would be very welcome..... I retire tomorrow so can spend more time at it then!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lorraine, yes I got some really good feedback mostly from family and friends but 3 did say that they liked my work the best in the exhibition and guess they didn't have to actually say that, they could have kept quiet and knowing the friends they wouldn't have said anything at all if they hadn't liked......
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen...... don't know if you can see but in the white framed ones is "Grandma Fishing" two people like that one best..... think I might feel a blog coming on about that one lol!!!!
ReplyDeleteAn exciting new phase for you, Judith - I am sure that it will all get much better from here on - you have to get your foot out there - and that's what you've done, so well done you!
ReplyDeleteYou are very good at turning your stumbling blocks into stepping stones... so don't fret.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first exhibit, and though it didn't meet your expectations, be reassured you have gotten exactly what you needed from it.
congratulations judith on your first exhibition !
ReplyDeleteThank you Dawn, have yet to find out if these small events are the right forum for me but as you say it is the first step.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Susan and I am learning to trust my instincts. If I find these events aren't right for me that's what I will have learned from having a go. There's another one I am doing next Saturday where there is at least one professional artist and I suspect there will be one or two more and if not professional some very serious amateurs so am hoping that will be better and am sure there will be a better footflow.
Thank you Jane, was a good learning experience and I will have a better idea of how to approach things next time......
Hi Judith. Garstang Arts Centre is such an odd little place - I'm sure I don't know how it survives! They are closed more than they're open! From March to December, I pop in there every weekend and it's always the same people sat there sipping tea.
ReplyDeleteIn theory, it should be a great venue for an artist, but the truth is, it's not. Lack of sales is nothing new there - I've seen so many exhibitions there over the years with no sales, it's untrue. So don't be put off by it - it's not you, it's the venue.