Tags
abstract art, art, art expo, art for sale, art prints, art show, art shows, Artist, buy art, contemporary art, Family, friends, friendship, fun, love, paintings, prints, sharon cummings, sharoncummings, support, tampa, tampa artist, ybor city, ybor city art show
Yes I did! I’ve got my first art show under my belt and it was a great success! It was a very small show, but I still sold 3 originals and 30 prints. Other artists around me who have done many shows said I did amazing….phenomenal and outstanding. I’ve got my eye on something for March or April and then next year a BIG show (you have to apply to the big shows up to a year in advance).
I learned a lot going through this experience and that wisdom is priceless. Just like online sales, art does not sell itself. It is not enough to just set up your tent and hide to the side. Of all of the tents I could see and the two on either side of me, I was the one making sales and getting people into my space. And the phrase “getting people in” is similar to what I do online. I had to invite them. Smile. Engage them by talking and wave them in. Once inside they relaxed and looked around and many bought. I found just talking to folks…..including their kids…..laughing…..this is what made sales. I sold prints to two people who bought because their children liked my work. I engaged the kiddos too by addressing them and showing them work I thought they would like. Their parents seemed to love this and out came the credit cards when the wee ones had made their choices. That’s the sales person in me talking, but all of that was not the best part of the show.
I was touched by the friends who came out to support me. Some bought, but most just came to say hello and let me know that they wanted to be a part of my big day. My in-laws also made the drive up to help make the day special. One friend especially made me smile because I had not seen him in over 13 years. It felt really good to see the love and friendship.
So yes….I did it and I will do it again. 🙂
