On Line Shows vs In Person Shows
As an Artist, I love in person shows. I so enjoy seeing all the art on the walls and seeing the people gather in with music in the background. The light chatter and exclamations of delight when they see "That Piece" they just have to know more about. How I used to search for in person shows and take care in checking the package or hand delivering the artwork. I even enjoyed driving some distance. Yet, as an artist who hadn't had a website, I found that often the entry form would ask for my website, so my work could be viewed. You know thoses works in the same or even in other media, that didn't have anything to do with the show I was entering.
I was often left feeling inadequate, with no website to list on the form. Enter the year of 2020. This year, in Jan. I decided that to follow up my declaration of becoming a proffesional artist in 2019, and after 10 years of creating and studying as something other than a hobby way, I found myself with a untraditional website in the first quarter, and a full Spring packed with art shows. then, oops...THE VIRUS!
After having 4 shows cancelled in the matter of six weeks due to CoVid-19, I found myself with time. Time to create that professional website. Time to search for more in person shows.
Now with that professional website came all sorts of advice, on how to make it work. Which of course I listened to intently. It's great to be able to put that website address down on those applications. However, I find now, that as I enter shows, I'm seeing most are on-line.
What? Where'd they all go? So many either disappeared, postponed til 2021, or went "on-line for the first time". Even a local art group, that I'm a member of, and on the board for is having, an "On-line show", this year, just so we can show we are still trying to assist our members in getting their work viewed. With an on-line shop, I'm faced with the question of, "If it's already on-line, why enter it in an on-line show?"
My solution today was to enter a piece, that is not on-line. As a matter of fact, that's what I've done for two of the three shows, I've entered in October, at least. Also, when entering multiple pieces, I make sure at least one wasn't previously or currently on my website, for slae. I want the experience to be new for the collector.
Now when I enter anything, I find myself thinking more clearly. What would if be like for the show to have an image that I've not got for sale? If that is allowed, then I can place an NFS piece that means something personal to me. You know one that has a strong story. A story perhaps that resonates with more than just my mind. Yet one I didn't want on my website, because I didn't want to sell it.
Which brings me to the next question. Is it better to give a glimpse of something unattainable, to show the on-line viewer of an art show, a painting you can't bear to part with? With so much "for Sale", and competition so steep, is the unattainable art with a story, a more magical or more meaningful experiemnce for the viewer? Will they say, if only that were for sale...
I don't know all the answers to these questions. I simply welcome feedback from artists and collectors on these thoughts.
Until next time... Keep smiling, and keep painting, and keep looking for the story to be told in the creation you've been chosen to create, or the one you're viewing.
Oh, and please sign up for my newsletter.... (Shameless plug)
Read More