Get your work out there!
Last month I had the opportunity to show my work at Art Santa Fe in New Mexico. And I had a blast talking to all the people who took the time to stop in, see my work, and say hello.
I love galleries, and think they do an amazing job. But you don’t get the direct feedback from buyers and collectors when you are only represented by a gallery.
There is something different about being part of an art fair or show and hanging your work for all to see. Your mind does summersaults. What if no one likes my work? What if everyone just walks by? What if people look but no one buys?
Often times it’s harder for your mind to envision, but what if you get amazing comments? What if you connect with people your work resonates with? What if people want to live with your work?
All of it is good. Because it’s all information.
Of course, selling work is amazing (especially when it’s to a complete stranger). It’s instant feedback and validates your path.
But equally important is noticing what people are saying about the pieces they love. One visitor, Mimi, told me that my pieces make her feel calm. That she could envision a piece with two horses watching over her at night. She’s a collector and has loads of colorful artwork but was now in search of pieces that made her feel calm.
Another collector, Stephanie, had just finished a book and one of my tree images spoke to her. Reminded her of the book and the feelings the book evoked for her.
And Martha, well she was a volunteer for Art Santa Fe and kept coming back to my booth throughout the 3-days that she volunteered. She didn’t say much, but stood for long periods of time, lost in thought, transfixed by the work.
I got a sense of what images didn’t resonate with people. There were 4 horse images that nobody commented on. That’s great information as well.
At the end of the show, I know what images people connected with (and bought) and I know which images fell flat.
I was able to connect directly to people who loved my work, get an idea of who they are, what they thought of my pieces, and what resonated with them. This is HUGE for any artist. Not everyone who connected to a piece purchased the piece, but for me that is still validation that I’m on the right path.
If we rely only on family, friends and colleagues to comment on our work and provide feedback we’re missing an important element. You have to put your work out into the world and see how it is received. It doesn’t have to be a big show. It can be just one piece in a group show. But engage with people in conversation, learn what they see in the image, get direct feedback. It’s all good information that will undoubtedly help you.
I’m curious to know, what has been your experience when showing your work? Would love to hear from you in the comments below.
Be well….be creative,
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Thanks for this timely reminder for getting our work out there and especially viewer feedback.
I think it’s also important to visit markets and galleries exhibiting other peoples work.
I’ve been minding several gallery open exhibitions, and artists work at the markets this year, all with a diverse array of styles and media. The feedback I listen to from viewers as they wander through the exhibitions and talk to artists or others at their stalls about the works and also the judges comments, has been extremely valuable to me as an artist.
I think it is so vital to our artistic journey to listen to viewer comments on how they do or don’t connect to works even if they are not our own works. It allows us to refocus and refine what we are working on and the direction we might like to go. I found it quite empowering!
Great blog Clare.
Thanks for your comments Jenni….always good to hear feedback from other artists:)
Excellent advice Clare. I’ll be showing work next month and this reminds me to not just stand back and watch, but to engage! A challenge for an introvert…
Thanks. Gail
Yes, challenging indeed for an introvert…..but oh so important to find the way you are comfortable interacting with those who connect with your work. Good luck Gail!
Saturday I was wandering through an art and book show in Hackensack, MN and noticed a booth with some very nice encaustic prints. I stopped and talked with Lisa and Randy Lee from Wisconsin. I asked Lisa if she knew Clare O’Neill. I have taken her online class she said. They have a nice web site called TinCatStudio.com. When I read your blog this morning I was reminded that this young couple are not afraid to put their work up for all to see.
That is fabulous Don. I love hearing these stories. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Clare for posting this, this morning. I think it takes great courage to put yourself out there for the world and hear what others have to say or don’t say. My question for you is, the 3 pieces that no one looked at, when you were working on them, if you remember, did you get a sense that you were connecting with the 3 or when you were creating them, did you struggle more with them, then the others? When you were done, did you sense something within that made you “feel” really good about them or did you “feel” that something was missing? Those that people commented on or returned too, did you sense that feeling as well or were you surprised? I ask because although I have never done what you are doing, maybe someday I will do so and I am curious. Your work from what I can tell online is amazing. Thank you for your time today.! Raemi
Hi Raemi, I always know the pieces I resonate with and they are usually the ones that others resonate with as well. But sometimes people resonate with ones that are a little less for me, so I brought them with me to really pay attention to what the market was telling me. Several that resonate didn’t sell, but I know they will. Several that were a little short for me will be reworked. My timeline on getting e work done was tight and I learned a lot from that lesson as well!
I show a lot, in and outside of galleries, and I’ve noticed that I often feel a bit let down afterward even when overall the show is successful. It is so classic that we focus on the pieces they didn’t respond to. We want folks to love all our babies as we do.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that if you have many pieces with similar presentation and subject matter, your horses for example, people will pick their favorite and sometimes their least favorite. Those neglected horses presented in a different group with a variety of subjects might really appeal to someone when not part of a larger herd. When I was there I saw how people right away selected between your horses and your landscapes. If they had only one horse in a group the right person might well choose that one.
I traveled to see your show in Santa Fe, though I have followed you for years and know your subject matter well, because photographs do not do justice to your textures, colors and overall depth of your wax work. Truly, you are a master in your style. Horses or not, I’m guessing that some people were having an emotional response to the beauty, complexity and richness of your wax. Your work has real presence but sometimes people have to see something more than once, (which is the advantage of a gallery.) It was a privilege to see such work and I hope you’ll come back to the SW.
Thank you Carol for your kind words regarding my work.
I don’t have a problem when people don’t like my work or focus on some pieces rather than others. I see it as a huge opportunity to learn. I know the pieces that don’t resonate as well with me as the ones that do. Every time we put ourselves and our work out there it’s a learning experience…..and I’m grateful I get the opportunity to do it:)
I am just now trying to find places to show and sell my work. Taking that jump is hard but I am trying to figure those options out. Thanks for sharing and I hope your time in Ireland is awesome. I just got back from a trip there and love it. My new work includes photos from there and hope to find a place to show it. Thanks, Vicki
Glad to hear you had a great time in Ireland Vicki. It’s such a magical place…..and people tend to resonate with the landscape here…..I’m sure your images will find plenty of admirers.
Hello Clare,
So wonderful to read this— I wish I could see the images you had in your booth!! Would be fun to almost be with you live. Your work is unique and special. Have fun on your trip and thanks for the good advice.
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for your comment. You can see most of the images in the photo above in the blog….or you can go online at http://www.ClareONeill.com to see my new work!
With all good wishes……
Thank you, Clare, for putting out this kind of information that I rarely see any other artist writing about. I have learned so much from showing my work, but never really was able to articulate as you have and gain the kind of understanding that you describe. I’m not shy about talking to others except when it comes to talking about my work, but it is worthwhile to move way outside my comfort zone and listen proactively to what others have to say, and also, as you point out, just to watch which images draw and hold the eye of total strangers. It’s almost a religious experience. Thank you again for another insightful piece.
Hi Nancy, I get it…..and thanks for sharing your experience. So many of us find it hard to talk about our work, but it’s oh so important as you know to get feedback:)