Recap: Downtown Festival of the Arts

I had a great day at the Downtown Festival of the Arts. Not only did it not rain, but I sold seven paintings! I loved when someone told me they recognized my style and knew they had seen me at another festival. There was also someone who saw my art at the Taste of Champaign and had regretted not buying something then...she bought a painting this time! I got to hear some amazing stories of how my art touched people, and that really was the best part. :-)

Salt Fork River Art Festival: Recap

I had a booth at the Salt Fork River Art Festival this past weekend. This time it was a two day event. Saturday turned out to be a perfect fall day--sunny and cool. I sold four paintings Saturday! Sunday was quite chilly and fewer people came out to see the art, however I sold one additional painting. I've still had no success selling my giclee prints, which is a bit disappointing. I think people really want to have something to take home with them instead of having to bother with placing an order. For future events I will probably just sell whatever prints I have instead of trying to take orders.
Olive came Sunday and we kept each other warm!

Salt Fork River Art Festival at Sleepy Creek Vineyards

I'm getting ready for my next art festival! I have eight new paintings to show (they're all posted on the blog). It will take place at Sleepy Creek Vineyards in Fairmount, IL, about a half hour drive from Urbana. Here are the dates and times:

Sept. 25, Saturday
10am-7pm

Sept. 26, Sunday
11am-4pm

Address:
Sleepy Creek Vineyards
8254 E 1425 North Road
Fairmount, IL 61841
(here are some directions)

Hope to see you there!

Champaign Downtown Festival of the Arts: Recap

The art festival was last Saturday and I am feeling much less stressed now. Despite some concerns about the weather and the set-up going smoothly, everything turned out great. The weather was perfect--by some miracle the forecast changed from 60% chance of thunderstorms to partly sunny all day! My booth set-up turned out pretty much exactly as I had planned and had a very cool look about it and I am glad to have not spent more money on a fancier set-up. The wire mesh I purchased to hang the paintings on created a very airy space and the paintings looked a little like they were floating in mid-air. The only piece of furniture in the booth was a small folding table which I placed in the middle of the tent. This created a very open, inviting space. I was pleased with this set-up and I think I will keep it the same for the next show. Check out the pictures of my booth below:The most pleasant surprise of the day was that my booth won an honorable mention award! Of the 56 artists at the festival, I was one of eight who was recognized! And, I sold five paintings...can't forget to mention that! All in all it was a huge success. I am now more aware of what sells and what people like, so next time I can be better prepared with more small paintings for sale. I did find, however, that it is the big brightly colored paintings that draw people in to the booth. The giant pink rose and the field of poppies definitely received the most compliments so I will include them in future shows for sure.

NEXT SHOW: Salt Fork River Art Festival at Sleepy Creek Vineyards in Fairmount, IL. Sept 25 and 26.
Address:
Sleepy Creek Vineyards
8254 E 1425 North Road
Fairmount, IL 61841
http://www.sleepycreekvineyards.com/

2010 Boneyard Arts Festival!

Some of my flower paintings will be on display during the Boneyard Arts Festival, April 15-18. The display will be April 16th 8:30am-5pm and 17th 12:00-5pm on the University of Illinois Campus at the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music. The address for the Sousa Archives is:

236 Harding Band Building
1103 S. 6th Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820

Map:
http://illinois.edu/ricker/CampusMap?buildingID=4&target=displayHighlight

I will also have a display at the Champaign Arts Showcase at the Lutheran Campus Center. This coincides with the Boneyard. The date for this display is Friday April 16th from 7:30-10:00pm. Address:

909 S. Wright St.
U of I campus