Post Festival Blues and Lessons Learned

Really it may be the post-Halloween candy crash, but I'm drained and trying to decide which particular golden nugget of wisdom to impart to any beginning art festival exhibitors. I had a fantastic weekend, and it could have gone terribly, terribly wrong. All around me, I met wonderful exhibitors who gently pointed out how I hadn't quite set my tent up to withstand any sort of real weather, despite my good intentions. Providence smiled.

I'd like to point something out to an artist who has decided to participate in these events to gain broader exposure to potential customers, in addition to selling their art.

If you are maintaining a newsletter list, keep your method for adding new customer emails, names, etc separate from your credit card processing.

I had many people buy from me this past weekend and of that, I'd say 80% used their credit card. I happen to use Square mobile on my smart phone. (I'm not being paid to endorse them!) At the end of the transaction, the program asks if you would like to text or email a receipt to the client. Everyone chose email. Great, I thought because now I have their contact information! I mentioned to them that I was starting a newsletter and that I'd like to add them to the distribution list. Of course, please add me!

On Monday, after looking at the online register I found to my horror that I couldn't access any of my customer's personal information for their privacy. Square is protecting themselves, and their clients, and that makes sense.. but I wish I'd known that earlier.

They all have my business card, but who knows if they will go to my website to add themselves to the list?

Opportunity lost. Lesson learned.

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Mount Dora Craft Fair This Weekend! Oct 27th-28th

I'll be displaying my paintings this weekend in Mount Dora along with over 350 other artists and craftspeople!

Check out this link for excellent lists and price breakdowns on Mount Dora event parking and shuttles:
What To Do In Mount Dora: 28th Annual Mount Dora Fall Craft Fair, 2012 - Parking and Shuttle Information for the Public

The Mount Dora Craft Fair is open from 9am to 5pm Sat and Sun, rain or shine! Hurricane Sandy, or not! (But
I'm hoping Sandy goes on an extended European tour instead.)

To see exactly where I'll be exhibiting, visit my web site home page which lists my booth information. See you there!

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Combat "Cavalry Spurs" Alla Prima Painting

The Order of the Spurs is a time honored tradition for cavalrymen, a ceremony whose roots can be found in knighthood.

It comes already varnished and signed on the front and back. It is painted oil on linen on panel, and the panel is notched in the back so that it can be hung without a frame.

"Cavalry Spurs", oil on linen on panel, 5x5"

{Portion of the proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project}

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"St. Joseph's Pastry" Alla Prima Painting

Oil on linen on panel, 4" x 4", "St. Joseph's Pastry"

This alla prima painting is 4x4", painted on linen mounted on panel. The panel is notched on the back, so that it can be hung on the wall without any framing.

One of the lesser known facts about St. Joseph is his status as the patron saint of pastry cooks, as well as patron saint of families. This St. Joseph's pastry is a riff on a Zeppole di San Guiseppe (as he is known in Italy). He is celebrated at Spring solstice with a Feast, traditionally held on March 19th. It is so delicious though, they are eaten year round.




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"Swim Goggles" Alla Prima Oil Painting

Still life, Oil on linen on panel, 4" x 4", "Swim Goggles"

This painting is 4x4", painted on linen mounted on panel. The panel is notched on the back, so that it can be hung on the wall without any framing.
 
                                    Email me for purchase info.

I once read a book called Painting the Things You Love in Watercolor by Adele Earnshaw. It's out of print now, but you can find it used on Amazon for an extremely reasonable price as of this posting. It was fantastic for demonstrating how you can use the items you already cherish to create your own signature style. She covered the basics, but is a thorough teacher. I really enjoyed her down to earth style.

"Swim Goggles" arose out of this need to paint things that I love, as I learn to handle paint better during my daily painting project.

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"Zinnia Stem" Daily Oil Painting

Floral, Oil on linen on panel, 4" x 4", "Zinnia Stem"

This painting is 4x4", painted on linen mounted on panel. The panel is notched on the back, so that it can be hung on the wall without any framing.

                                 Email for purchase info.

This Zinnia flower stem kept me from painting my planned subject. I was stopped short by it's beauty. The bloom sprang up, luridly, almost daring me to take it. The person who leads the garden, was kind enough to let me have this bloom. It was grown from seed, by elementary children, who learned that although flowers are beautiful, they are also important, as powerful seductors for pollinators. No matter what vegetables are grown in the garden, the children always also plant flowers in the same bed. That makes sense, doesn't it?





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"Strawberry" Oil Alla Prima Painting

Still Life, Oil on Linen on Board, 4" x 4", "Strawberry"

This painting is 4x4", painted on linen mounted on panel. The panel is notched on the back, so that it can be hung on the wall without any framing.

                                         Email for purchase info.

While painting this, I remembered being very little and having my Mom buy us matching t-shirts. I begged to have the shirt, because it featured a cute mouse holding a strawberry. Isn't it amazing what objects will trigger our memories?

Every year during strawberry season, our family goes to a "you pick" farm. The scent of strawberries and rich soil washes the air and there is a playground for families to enjoy after picking. I hope that my daughter will look at a strawberry after she is grown, and remember our times there together.

Does the strawberry trigger a special moment in time for you?

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