Art Fair Tips: How to talk to your customers

[@kguentherart]

This is timely, as I'm in the middle of my first season of art fairs. I am learning a lot, figuring out who my target market is, and definitely still working on talking to people as an introvert! What you said about looking underneath your chair when people came into your booth described my first couple fairs SO accurately. So funny! I didn't know what to do with myself at first. Finally at my 3rd fair, I started painting during the fair and it seems to be a good way to get people to stop and look and ask questions. My 4th fair is in a few weeks. Woohoo!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Kristy Guenther what an awesome tip! Working on your art is a fantastic idea, thank you for sharing! I never thought to mention that because personally I am unable to do to the mediums I use... but oh, if I had that option it wouldn’t have taken me so long to become better at speaking to the public. I’m so glad you have found something that works for you. Good luck on your next show! 👍🏼

[@tmbrown1755]

Thank you for the time you spend sharing your knowledge!! I absolutely LOVE your videos, your artwork and your voice!!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you! :)

[@richardwills7768]

Negative comments are just as good as positive comments, because it means people noticed your artwork and took time out of their life to say something. As an artist, I welcome all comments good or bad because people noticed my art work enough to say something...

[@sueellensiebert9202]

You are so calm and capable when doing your KZbin videos that it's hard to believe you were so shy doing the early shows. Thank you for sharing your experiences and advice with us.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Very nice of you to say, Sue Ellen. I am still not as comfortable as I'd like to be in front of the camera which is also why I don't upload more often - but I do get better with practice! :)

[@slytoffcntr]

This was a great deal of incite which has helped very much!

[@belindawest3558]

Oh lord Ellen one thing I’m not is an introvert. My insecurities lie in is my work really good. You inspire me so much

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Belinda West The fact that you are already a good public speaker puts you leaps and bounds ahead, my friend. I think a fair would be right up your alley!

[@southwestkoipond5045]

Loving your work and content. Thank you for such great advice!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You're very welcome!

[@karinamallqui8008]

Thank you for sharing with us. 💕 You said that the print for this froggy will be in your etsy shop, that this mean that you don't sell your originals?

[@kamil3411739]

Ciekawy temat.Pozdrawiam Beata Ostapiuk z Polski.

[@Fleurdoodles]

Hi dear Ellen, I already love your frog! 😍 Also I'm on an art market next weekend and find your tips soo helpful!! ❤ Thank you for talking about it! Hugs Maike 😘

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Fleurdoodles Best of luck to you at your art market. I saw the cards you made and they are absolutely beautiful! 😍

[@Fleurdoodles]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio Thank you so much!! I appricate your support, dear! 😍❤ It would be great if you could share some tips for preparing a day at an art fair and to show us your stand and what you take with you. Love from Germany Maike 😘

[@MarkDaleADV]

Hi Ellen. Thank you for your videos and content. I have recently been painting with watercolour on Yupo but feel that I should be protecting the painting with an acrylic varnish before handling/ framing. What products do you use and do you have any videos on using fixatives.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Mark. I normally don't use watercolor with YUPO, but rather acrylic ink and those are lightfast. Krylon has an archvial matte finish I use for protection when I do have the need to use watercolor and it works well :)

[@MarkDaleADV]

Thank you Ellen. 😊

[@marionwigzell7334]

Thanks Ellen. I love your frog - gorgeous. I'm not sure what you mean by "art fair" in US. I know that there are "art fairs" in Aus, but I am not sure who or how they are organised. Only that they happen in our Capital cities - perhaps annually?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Marion Wigzell depending on where one lives here in the US they can be called fairs or festivals....but they generally mean the same thing: it’s an organized event where artists are asked to participate and in exchange they pay a booth fee, then can sell their wares. I hope that helps somewhat! Thank you for watching, Marion! ☺️

[@MiKE-jz6jt]

hey Ellen..great video with alot of great info.. What is the one thing that is bad about art shows..? is it weather..? crowds..? setting up your booth..? what are your thoughts..?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hey, Michael :) SO much to say on this topic! For me personally, the worst parts are not being able to predict the weather and the setup. Oh, and the fact that by day's end I'm so tired I can barely move! If you haven't watched my video on art fairs you might want to check that out for my pros and cons of art fairs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmizkp59hsqcfKc

[@petitpapillonart3065]

I have never participated in a straight up art fair...the ones in my area are juried and the booth fees seem prohibitive ($400-1000!!!). The fairs I've participated in have been more 'arts and craft' fairs and a few pet fairs put on by humane societies. It's definitely a learning experience. Overall, good, but the prep is exhausting. I am a total introvert but not shy, if that makes sense. By introvert, I mean I need lots of alone time. These fairs exhaust me for days afterward. I love interacting with the public and talking about my art but it drains me. I always say hello and try to engage people...without being overwhelming. I actually painted a bit at a fair this past weekend. People like to see the process. Sales are hit and miss...you never know. I sell mostly prints, not originals. I haven't found the best venue for my originals yet. I'm lucky that I've made back my booth fees on less lucrative events. I would like to participate in an actual art festival just to see what it is like. If I could get in. The ones here only allow the selling of original work-and again, the booth fees! Sort of off topic, but I would love to talk about booth set ups :)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Oh Angela I SO HEAR YOU on this! (are you and I twins??) 😉 Everything you said about your introvert nature? Same. I too get exhausted for days afterward; it's so draining I don't know how others do it all summer long around here. I was going to ask how your show went at Etsy - that sounds so exciting!! I SO dropped the ball regarding a booth setup video. I've been asked about doing this kind of video several times and it didn't even occur to me to film my booth when I had everything up and ready! 😖 but if I do another show this year I'm going to do just that! I'd love to create one anyway, just now sure how! LOL.

[@petitpapillonart3065]

I think we are something Ellen, LOL! (I meant to share that I pulled Frog from my animal medicine card deck before seeing your video...enter twilight zone theme music...). The Etsy show went very well, thank you! It helped that there was no booth fee :) I have my set up and break down down to a science, but I do need to work on booth aesthetics. I use metal grids and hang or clip some framed and unframed prints. I may be doing a few more of these local maker/craft shows and I'd be happy to share my setup with you. I am curious to participate in a straight up art fair. I will do more research in finding ones that are less expensive. As always, thank you for your generous and informative videos!

[@ang.giselle2024]

Hi, Thank you for this video. I've never shown my art at an art fair. No one is willing to take a day or their time to help me out. I think that family, basically people, think its a phase. I've been drawing for a year. I don't realistically, it's mostly cartoony art. What camera do you use to film over your work? Thank you for your content.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I used to have that same reaction about my art; people treat it as a hobby, not as a potential source for income. I'm glad you don't let anyone discourage you from creating. I use my IPhone set to timelapse speed. I have a short video on this if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2WaaHiva9Crl9E

[@soniafinch7922]

Hi ellen, tomorrow ive a meeting with my local community centre to discuss doing an exhibition of my work. Could you advise how to prepare for situations such as these please? Ie what they will want to see, things to consider..xx

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You're likely already through your meeting by now, Sonia - I hope it went well! 🤞🏼

[@soniafinch7922]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio they loved my work and asked me if id like to exhibit and teach on their art courses. 😁

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Sonia Finch that’s so wonderful!! Congratulations!!🎉🎊

[@soniafinch7922]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio thanks Ellen. Youve given me so much confidence to take the plunge with all your advice. I felt this may be a better first timers solution than an art fair or gallery.. theres loads to think about though...xx

[@rooksartworks1235]

I went to a local art fair this past weekend. I wanted to scope things out to see if I would possibly want to do it next year. The turn out was real good, lots of people browsing and buying. My disappointment came in the fact of out of all the 50 or so booths/tents, only two where "fine art", as in painting and drawing. The rest were jewelry, yard sculptured, wood work, soap, etc.. So that was a kind of bummer in the fact that, if painting/drawing didn't seem popular, why would I want to do it. Has anyone else experienced the lack of "fine art" being represented? Is that necessarily a sign of what people in the area are looking for and should that dissuade me from doing it next year?

[@kguentherart]

I am in my first season of art fairs, and I'm a painter. Painting/drawing, or "2D art", is definitely a niche that can be harder to sell. People have no problem buying a piece of jewelry or a carved dish, but people buy painting and drawings for their walls for very personal and specific reasons that are difficult to predict. It hasn't been easy so far, but I think it's worth giving it a shot for a few years. Something to keep in mind is that every show is different, so definitely check out more than one show to see what kind of art is represented at each.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Rooks Artworks i’m so glad you mentioned this because when I first started doing fares I assumed that they were pretty much the same but that is so far from the truth. It’s really important to ask questions and do a bit of research before committing to any fair. Selling art at an event where your neighbors are selling so or crocheted goods - At least from my experience, is extremely difficult. I have never been able to gain back my booth fee let alone make money. I would definitely only consider shows where other fine artists will be also. The only exception to this might be if you have many items you’re selling that are at a very low price point such as notecards, mugs, or other items that can be considered dual purpose. 😊

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Kristy Guenther you are exactly right! I have found that people will easily justify making a purchase of something creative if its also useful. Jewelry is one of those things that one can appreciate AND use. With two dimensional artists like us there’s not a whole lot you can do with our work besides appreciate it for what it is; definitely a niche market.

[@gillinacook1477]

Is Yupo paper archival?

[@katherinemarsh7429]

I like your videos question though Why a frog?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Katherine Marsh I consider myself a wildlife painter and generally paint animals that inspire me. At the time I started this painting, I had a host of tree frogs that sang underneath my deck umbrella all throughout the night and during the day. It inspired me to create this painting.

[@SJQuirke]

I know why - Frogs Rock! Frogs are the most incredible little creatures

[@ataattosbt]

I would start a conversation with you, the artist, this way: Tell me about your “Why” ( why you do what you do?) :)

[@nattycozy1]

They don’t call them art fairs here in AZ 🤪

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Natalie, what do you call them in AZ? So curious!