I helped put on an art show in May. It took a lot of time in preparation and a lot of time in recovery. Here are some thoughts I had about art shows in general that you can now have for free:
- I like lists.
- If you think you have nothing to learn, you’re wrong. (Hey look - there’s another thing you just learned.)
- If you are a professional artist and you show your work alongside amateurs, others may not be able to tell the difference.
- Unless you win all the awards (which you won’t), you will begin to doubt all your decisions.
- There will be some painting there of a basic lake with Christmas trees around it like your Mom’s friend Liz could churn out to make you feel better about yourself and then THAT painting will win an award.
Here's a painting of Tumalo Falls that I finished in April.
- There will always be a few pieces that may have an iffy copyright provenance. Sure, the artist did the work, but I’m pretty sure I saw the photograph of that on the internet. Did they get the photographer’s consent? Is there really any art copyright to clear after that one guy had that art show of other people’s Instagram photos and everyone went, [shrug]? Let’s just call it Fair Use and call the whole thing off.
- There is no right way to run an art show. Hell, there is no GOOD way to run an art show.
- Art shows are an act of love and not a money-making venture. That’s why you don’t see a lot of shady art show carnies coming to town, going all “Hear-ye hear-ye, bring yer art to my Carnival of Art Thrills and Win Prizes.” No, it’s just us and some other misguided artist guilds.
I took this one to the art show. It wasn't popular. It's that one of Sedona.
- Artists must have some faith in the art show or its sponsors to give up their paintings and expect the show to handle them, hang them, guard them, and return them like the works of art that they are.
- If you want art for your wall, you can find some pretty good deals.
- If you know of a good art show, I'll enter something. It's fun when it's not humiliating.