The babies have gone to the market.

[ntl]

Congratulations is right! Good for you, you must be just so pleased! That's wonderful!

 

[E.J.H.]

congratulations, must have been pretty exciting!

 

[bethany]

Just came back to add.. I am so much more comfortable painting away in my studio, but I think of the exhibition/market stall as a way to "display" what I do and what I have produced. It is a totally different mindset to the actual painting process. I don't ever expect to make great art in that environment. This is just an opportunity to interact with "the public" and the art-making paraphernalia can just be "props" if you like!
Although, I have drawn portraits from life with a small audience watching! Talk about art-making as performance.. This is adrenaline-inducing on the same level as sky diving! Story for another time!

 

[Artyczar]

Hey John, I told you! Your art is amazing and people will love your unique style. I just knew it. I understand you were nervous. Totally normal, but now you have an idea of what to expect. Congratulations on the sale.

Making buying super easy is really important, so that sucks about your other interested buyer. I do hope they come back. I'm glad you have your Square swiper ready to go. When I did my open studios, that made sales go fast and plenty. It was like a magic wand.

While you sit there, maybe you can just write and doodle, take notes, play with your phone, but make it obvious that you're available to speak about your work if they want to. I always say that to people right away when they browse, and then leave them alone. "Let me know if you have any questions." Of course, I give them a super friendly greeting first. I'm not much of a social talker, but I can answer people's questions if they have them. Seems to work for me.

Also, remember your favorites aren't necessarily other people's favorites, as you saw. Maybe you think a painting is not your best, but someone else might feel it is magnificent (because it probably is)! You are your worst critic.

 

[jmfletch]

CONGRATULATIONS! First sale has to encouraging and also a great affirmation of your art.

 

[john]

Just came back to add.. I am so much more comfortable painting away in my studio, but I think of the exhibition/market stall as a way to "display" what I do and what I have produced. It is a totally different mindset to the actual painting process. I don't ever expect to make great art in that environment. This is just an opportunity to interact with "the public" and the art-making paraphernalia can just be "props" if you like!
Although, I have drawn portraits from life with a small audience watching! Talk about art-making as performance.. This is adrenaline-inducing on the same level as sky diving! Story for another time!

You have me thinking that I should try doing some stuff in my new sketchbook. I've never even had one before. I can do small watercolor sketching while there. Work on some ideas. And I have this idea of doing a sort of abstract "map" of the food market itself. I never practice anything or do studies or any of that stuff artists are supposed to do. Probably time I start.

 

[john]

Hey John, I told you! Your art is amazing and people will love your unique style. I just knew it. I understand you were nervous. Totally normal, but now you have an idea of what to expect. Congratulations on the sale.

Making buying super easy is really important, so that sucks about your other interested buyer. I do hope they come back. I'm glad you have your Square swiper ready to go. When I did my open studios, that made sales go fast and plenty. It was like a magic wand.

While you sit there, maybe you can just write and doodle, take notes, play with your phone, but make it obvious that you're available to speak about your work if they want to. I always say that to people right away when they browse, and then leave them alone. "Let me know if you have any questions." Of course, I give them a super friendly greeting first. I'm not much of a social talker, but I can answer people's questions if they have them. Seems to work for me.

Also, remember your favorites aren't necessarily other people's favorites, as you saw. Maybe you think a painting is not your best, but someone else might feel it is magnificent (because it probably is)! You are your worst critic.

Thank you Ayin. You have been my biggest supporter for I think decades now. You rock!

 

[Donna T]

Congratulations John and thanks for sharing this experience with us!

 

[ntl]

Wow, good for you! You must be pleased! Congrats!