New Shows of 2009

   I have been very busy gathering materials for the new upcoming season of Wildlife & Landscape shows this year. I am listing some of the many items necessary for displaying artwork outdoors as well as indoors at the different variety of shows that an artist will come across during a show season:
  1. I purchased a used set of pro panels complete with print bins and a counter top for prints as well. Pro panels are a must if a person wants to show in a professional manner. I also have a set of home made panels for backup as well (in case of extra room needed for display).
2. A used 10x10 WHITE tent as well. Almost all shows that use tents insist on a white tent. Another item to invest in is a set of weights that will hold the tent down in case of adverse weather.  Nothing like a storm to ruin the day and all of your work as well. 
3. Another item that many do not feel is important is a good high seated director's chair. The reason for a 30 inch chair is to maintain eye level while talking to a client while sitting in the chair. Nothing like having to look up at the buyer and talk. I recommend one with a good foot rest, as many will only have a peg to keep your foot on. My foot would fall off if I had to use a foot peg. 
4. One important item is lighting. Without proper lighting especially during an indoors event will result in viewer's seeing your work displayed with colors not looking proper, which is utmost if you wish to sell the artwork. Many shows will charge extra for the use of electric, but it is very important to have your work showing at it's best at these shows. Office depot, Walmart, any office supply store will have a good variety of retractable lighting to pick from. ALWAYS use retractable lights because of the positioning of a painting may not permit the light to be placed directly over the work. 
5. Ok, a biggie....how to accept credit cards. I will use Paypal this year (hopefully), and hope that all works out. I am still not decided on the best approach for credit cards, but may adopt a different software later on.
6. In order to use Paypal...one must have access to the internet, hence a laptop was purchased and hopefully will work at the events that do not collect the monies themselves. 
7. I decided to make my own prints after much research on the charges that are incurred if you have someone else make the prints for you.  It is as cheap to purchase pre-cut mattes as to cut them yourself, and one of the best deals that I have come across is with Dick Blick. I have also purchased adhesive spray, and foamboard thru Dick Blick as well. Other manufacturers have similar deals, but I will stick with a reliable one.
8. One of the more expensive investments should be in a printer, but I am keeping my prints in smaller sizes this year due to the economy and also affordability of an expensive printer. There are several good printers on the market now that will do a fine job for artwork. Keep in mind that you must use archival paper, and archival ink as well. Archival ink is another fancy word for pigmented inks..dyes will bleed and fade. So if the ink is archival quality, then it is pigmented ink. As for my choice in printers....Epson R1900 should suffice. It will print 13 inch wide format, and that is all I need for image sizes at this time. If I receive lots of requests for larger prints..then I will invest in a larger printer.
9. An idea that my wife (Betty) and I have devised for savings of motel expenses during roadtrips throughout the country is a horse trailer with full living quarters. This will work!! Lots of room in the horse compartments for pro panels, tents, prints, paintings...and whatever else we decide to stash in the back. The main thing is to keep the compartments clean (horse poop can discourage many buyers). Oh yes..we also own horses. This will allow us to use the trailer for a dual purpose. Thus, no costs incurred for motel expenses, and the comfort of "home" after a busy day of sitting and talking with other artists and buyers.
10. A final purchase was a software named Peachtree. This will give me a better idea of how the business is doing, an easier way to keep track of invoices, and will really help on doing taxes at the end of the year. I hope sharing my ideas and plans will help anyone that is wanting to start exhibiting at different places across America. Please feel free to email or call if you have any questions or comments.