As posted in the Dublin Area Art League Newsletter - August 2012 - http://eepurl.com/odjFD
Thoughts and Thanks
I hope that you all have been having a wonderful humid Ohio Summer and staying cool in the pool and indoors. It reminds me of growing up in Central Florida.... and Polk County at that. Polk County was and is known as one of the most oppressive heat and humidity combinations in all of Florida. I'm just saying... when it's thick to breath.... don't stay in it. Wow.
The Dublin Art Fair was great - despite the heat. It featured a core of Dublin Area Art League members, along with about 90 other artists from all over the Midwest. The tenacity of the artists, persevering despite the heat, paid off for many even as they acknowledged the weather and remained in good spirits. Art fair visitors came out... perhaps fewer in number... but they came to see the artists; and for some it was an annual tradition. I literally thanked countless people for coming and showing their support. It also gave me an opportunity to get to know some DAAL members better. I also had the opportunity to walk around, meet and chat with some of the other displaying artists. There were some amazing artists... both in their art and just who they are as people. Each was unique. Their point of view, their way of portraying it. I am always amazed in our human ability to create and express.
I'd like to thank Sandy Libertini & Melinda Moore of Grand Scheme Promotions, LLC for their support this year in helping to get all the press coverage and advertising and organization that they did. It is way more than most are willing to volunteer to do. For good reason. I tell you what folks. We pay the Dublin Art Fair consultants to help.... with good reason.... but still Bev Goldie worked to the point of making me feel ashamed for not doing more. Gina and Paul Atwell are always there to help to the end and Cindy Bryden is always there including what ever bribery she had to do to get her kids to "volunteer". There are so many that I can't mention all here … but this event really helped me see that we have an amazing core of dedicated members. Many active members of DAAL have volunteered throughout this past year and to everyone who participates - THANKS !!
I'd love to invite and challenge you to step up… believe me, there are always things to do. As a group, we are striving to make volunteering
easier, with mentoring and step-by-step guides. You will not be alone. We invite you to learn, to foster your own career and your love for
the arts and our wonderful community. Even if it's just sitting at an information booth for 2 - 3 hours. You and your time will be and are
valued. You are a part of a whole. You are part of something that our community actually relies upon. I hope you will see the value in
volunteering too.
This was my very first time ever showing in an Art Fair venue. What an education. I still don't know everything, but I know a lot more about
being prepared for the next art fair.
OK.. back to the record breaking heat, humidity and .. the Dublin Art Fair experience..... The heat literally boiled my brain. I went to
Giant Eagle to purchase a Sport Drink prior to arriving the first day for set up. I couldn't find any... darn those end caps... and bought
tea instead..... WRONG. In heat you must replace the salts... electrolytes... else you can experience symptoms .... or in my case...
every symptom of HEAT EXHAUSTION. Wow... not fun... it took me 4 - 5 days to recover. By the end of each day I couldn't form a full
sentence in my typical verbose way, I conveyed basic absolute necessities...I kind of sounded like Captain Kirk from Star Trek...
"Bold color... Texture... Paint by finger... Videos on Website.... Have a great day". Heed my heat warning. You can't just hydrate.. you
must properly hydrate. THANK YOU to those who handed me a sport drink. Sorry I was so fried that I didn't grasp it for myself until it
was all over. Your support literally helped me. THANK YOU !!
Displaying one's art publicly is something. Right? Don't you ever wonder what people say about your art? It can make you feel a little
naked. Now add humidity and 103 degrees for 10 - 11 hours and random public human beings standing within 3 feet of your work and you have to.... what? Be shy, ignore, be present, mindful, acknowledge, assess, engage, pull tid-bit's of information from them, try to connect with them, help them see that connection in your art, provide information for follow up, inviting them to take a next step, if it's quick
momentary interest, or potentially work to close the deal. I didn't bring prints, and likely would have sold a ton. But I did sell one of
my family and friends' most coveted artworks. I wouldn't give it away to the many who have asked because I knew if I sold that piece... I'm
legit. It was Soul Journey. A wonderful young couple bought it. It was for their first year anniversary and it was their very first time
to ever purchase original art. They... or rather she... was adamant that a gaming poster would have to be moved so my painting could hang
in their living room. Now... hopefully, as funds permit, they'll strive to only purchase original art.
Is that beautiful or what?
I've got a complete other side I might share with you in the next news letter.... I'll just say.. I finally.. one month later got paid for the
second piece of original art sold that weekend.
It's not the difficulties you face.. it's how you face them and what you learn from it that's important. Be OK with making mistakes... it's
how we learn. After all, a great saying goes like this, "If you aren't failing or making mistakes, you likely aren't pushing yourself
enough."
The Dublin Art Fair of 2012 will now and forever be engrained in my memory. I look forward to learning more.
Dennis
