Positive Thoughts On Negativity...

   ...The Fourth of July weekend was a hot one weatherwise.  Usually I find myself attending the many art shows throughout the summer months.  The Boston Mills art show in Peninsula, Ohio is one of the Big Daddy art shows that has been going on for 40 years here in Ohio.  It brings in some of the best artists from all over the United States into the area.  That being said, the economy here is not what it could be.  Supporting the arts grows more and more difficult.  All the shows have suffered in fewer sales of artwork.  People haven't stopped appreciated fine art, they just don't have the extra cash to spend on any non-essentials.  This has led to many artists not coming into the Ohio shows.  That's a good news/bad news scenario.  It has led to more local artists surfacing in the Ohio art show circuit.  Many artists are now having a chance to jury into shows where once they wouldn't have made the cut just because they were local. While that is encouraging, still, the absence of art influence from other locales can be felt.  Other areas are not feeling the same economic crunch as we here in Ohio are experiencing.  Artists from outside the area expect much higher prices for their work.  I'm not saying that their work is not worth it, but what I am saying is that they should know the Ohio market.  Don't gripe about the Ohio shows when you are asking Boca Rotan prices.   Most of us here in Ohio don't make a real living from doing art shows.  There's the reality of it.  Many times we barely make back the ever increasing booth fees with each show.  Now, there's another point of interest.  The show promoters continually raise the show fees whether the artists are making any money or not.  Talk about killing the goose that layed the golden egg.  When artists drop out of doing shows because they can no longer afford the booth fees and they know they aren't going to make enough money to cover their booth fees, the promoters need to take note of that.  The artists are the ones that make the show a show.  Without them, you are just lining up kids on a soccer field for a non-paying game.  Boring and pointless. 
    All that being said, my point was to address the atmosphere of the art shows themselves.  The Boston Mills show straddles two weekends, with each weekend showing different groups of artisans.  The first weekend experienced ideal weather conditions.  It was sunny, but cool, almost fall-like in its crisp refreshing atmosphere.  The artists of the first weekend are usually new to the Boston Mills show.  Their expectations are high and they are eager to succeed in this high end art show.  They finally get a chance to run with the big dogs.  I had a wonderful time at the show and all the art was great.  The second weekend was quite different. in flavor.  All my friends were busy with family obligations, so I went unaccompanied to the art show.  The weather was a horrible hot and muggy offering that often presents itself during the fourth of July weekend.  As for the art, it was high caliber.  My only disappointment is that it was predictable.  Many of the same artists who have been in the show for many years were once again there and in their usual booth position.  There are so many new artists out there, I soon found myself longing for the freshness of the show from the weekend before.  As I walked through the show I began to get a sense of sourness on the part of the exhibitors.  Most were griping about the lack of sales.  For pete sake, I thought, how many people here in Ohio will spend $1500. for a piece of art?  Ohio's economy has been really hard hit and most people are being cautious about their spending.  And as for the ones who won't engage the public...give me a break!  If you want to sell your stuff, you have to talk to the people viewing it...and smile!  The few artists I did speak with were genuinely upbeat, I will say.  They recognized the Ohio market for what it is.  But the overall flavor of the show was that of disappointment on my part.  I just couldn't enjoy things when all I could hear was the artists complaining.  As a former exhibitor of my fine art photography, I know the shows from both sides.  And I have been in charge of a whole local festival with all its headaches and logistical problems to solve, so don't hand me that gripe, either.  The whole thing boils down to this, do you want to create art and share it with the world, or did you just plan on making a buck?  Do you care anything about how the public is affected by your presentation of art and show?  So what I'm really saying is, suck it up everybody!  It takes the whole bunch of you, artists, promoters, and yes,an appreciating public with a few dollars in their pockets to actually buy what the artists create.  Though my art sales were modest, the public seemed to really like my work.  As long as I was able to make at least my booth fees back, I was happy.  Though I would like to have made it work as a living, I was realistic and knew that wasn't going to happen here in Ohio, at least for me.  Kudos to the artists that can do that here in Ohio.  As an artist I go to the shows to get the creative stimulation that will spur me on to create more and better art.  If I can encourage a fellow artist to do the same, I will do so.  So, okay everybody, quit with the negativity!  It kills creativity, and believe it or not, it kills sales at a show.  Next year I will look forward to the first week of the Boston Mills Artfest.  Though I will attend the second week, my expectations will not be the same.  It will be the best of the best.  And I will glean what I can from that creative energy.  But I have considered handing out Prosac to the artists of the second week.  Lighten up guys!  Supposedly you are doing what you love.  Show it! 
    Okay...now exiting my soapbox, hopefully more positivity than negativity in my attitude.  On to the next show!