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The Dreaded Outdoor Art Show

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There are a few things in life that I consider to be high stakes gambles.  When I worked in television, it was that off-cited thing to avoid...usage of kids and animals in a production.  If it succeeded you were going to have gold.  But if it failed, and they refused to cooperate, you could have a nightmare on your hands.  Much of the same all-or-nothing dynamic applies to the outdoor art show. It sounds great in theory.  Beautiful summer day, nice stroll in the park, customers get to browse your latest offerings...all good. I get the appeal.  But these shows, for all the quaint charm they bring to the local park, are a bitch to put on for the artists and organizers.  And then there's that game changer.  The elephant...nay... woolly mammoth in the room...the weather.  Success or disaster is literally in the hands of the gods.  And you can't simply opt out last minute if the weather turns foul.  Most outdoor art shows insist on you manning your booth no matter what Mo
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Art: Make it Personal

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Over the years, I've appeared as a guest speaker for different art clubs and groups.  My talks typically have been less about the technical aspects of painting, and more focused on making the leap from casual hobby painter to working, selling artist.  There are many different elements that go into this not-so-easy transition, but if I were forced to distill it down to one guiding principle, it is this... BE DISTINCTIVE.   If you say the names:  Van Gogh...Picasso...Monet...automatically images of their 'style' of work will come to mind.  Even a relative art history novice will be able to easily identify their work.  That's because they've achieved that thing that all artists must to be remembered: distinctiveness.   As I ventured out into the world of exhibiting my art alongside my peers, one thing became immediately apparent.  The world is absolutely full up with amazing artists. In any large community, there are literally thousands of very good artists, plus an as
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