Artexpo,
in one word for me:
AMAZING
Have I arrived?
No!
But after this show I know I am headed in the right direction.
I find there are three kinds of artist at the Artexpo:
those that shoot out the gate like a rocket, selling out their entire booth
(or most of it) in one show, and
those that quit because they didn't. . .
and then there are those that sell one painting and
are still excited to return the following year,
Why?
Because they are trying to build something bigger then just their bank account.
That's me!!!
I met this wonderful young lady's brother four years ago at the Artexpo.
The following year he came back and brought his sister to meet me.
She emailed me a few weeks before this show wanting
pricing for two paintings she had seen on my web-site.
I e-mailed her back and she said she would see me at the show.
I made sure I packed the paintings she asked about.
When she and her brother came to see me she was my first purchaser of the day.
This is why I return, for collectors like Sandra, who may
have seen my work two, three or four years ago
and decided this is the year for me to get that painting I have always wanted.
Somethings take time to mature
cultivate and grow,
to become
seasoned, with the knowledge that will help propel your work to the next level.
This is why I love to sit in on those Artexpo exhibitor's first-day morning pep talk.
It is given by the leaders of the show. They try to prepare you for what will lie ahead, imparting sound wisdom that you can apply throughout your life as an artist.
This year Rick stated that: "by the time you get home you should be exhausted." I was,
for two days after returning home.
He also said we should see the show like a four day sprint,
always up and ready to go.
Getting ready for the Artexpo takes work.
so does getting there.
Then you arrived to even more,
work.
However, in the end it's all worth it.
For all the amazing people you meet alone,
the friendships that will last forever.
and all those that share in your dream.
This was my most well rounded year at the Artexpo since my return four years ago.
Combining experience, sales, and new collectors.
My goals have not all been met,
Yet
But as I stated above I AM headed in the right direction
Believe it or not this is the show I almost missed.
Thanks Rick for not allowing that to happen!
