TOAE 2017 BREAKDOWN......

** fun drinking game.....everytime I mention the word "grateful" take a shot! (BUT you'lll be DRINK mid-read!!)

YOU are a patient person! THANKS! I'll try to make this worth while!
I have been busy catching up with a MILLION things since the Toronto Outdoor Art Show ended. I gave the site a tiny facelift....I also worked on a small mural, and finished a small commission....BUT....that's not the important stuff.....let's talk about TOAE 2017!

Sometimes the "art world" is a breeding ground for insecurity, and more often than I would like, an exhibition is like a pressure cooker for that same insecurity! Honestly, the feelings I have around shows - are the feelings that I am medicated by my therapist FOR! ;-)

Once the insecurity and/or ego boost of acceptance has work off...there is the insecurity about seeing other artists work and successes. Each year there is artwork that is STELLAR - that you can feel inferior to, there is artwork that you think is comparable to yours....that sells WAY better.....and there is some artwork that you can't connect with. One man's art is another man's "my kid can do this".
 
On the first day I heard a "THIS isn't for me" in reference to my art...and a "No. Just NO!" about my art....people are funny. (And by "funny" I mean awful!) ;-) I murdered both of these people....JUST KIDDING....I just rolled my eyes and harshly judged their outfits in my head. :-)

So...let's go through my days in the square in pictures (I won't be talking about my peers and their art. It is all great, and I am grateful to be included!):

All and all, I would say it was a successful show for me.
I sold a few original paintings, and a BUNCH of my limited edition giclees! I am happy.....but as usual, I miss the OLD DAYS...when I sold a LOT of paintings. Still....I am VERY grateful!

It was a good location for the weather....that is - there was less direct sun on me, and good air-flow! THANK YOU MOTHER NATURE FOR CUTTING ME SOME SLACK!!!!!! It was not as great for traffic flow! The real truth is....the show happens on the square...like in ALL the TOAE photos:

MY BOOTH - in fact my whole row...NOT pictured here! :-)

Then again.....I am grateful to be in the TOAE at all! Right??

In the weeks after the TOAE you usually get an avalanche of  "opportunity" emails. I call them SPAM! They are often pay-to-show "opportunities" OR "please donate your art" emails OR sales pitches for products I NEED to help my art business! I especially love the form letters....

"HELLO ______,
We loved your work at ______. We think your work would be great for.........if you pay us.........you get to be a part of this opportunity....."

So 2 weeks later, and TEN follow up "opportunity"/DONATION emails later.....I am a little lost on which amazing opportunity to exploit next. ;-)

The big winner for my artwork was MOST DEFINITELY the Raccoon Streetcar! I am trying not to succumb to the 'put a raccoon on it' mentality. BUT I could have sold that one painting at least 3/4 times over!! So...do I work up a bunch more paintings that have a similar theme??? Or I could just paint a raccoon into ALL my existing artworks...like this:

So....all and all a good experience from the TOAE 17. 
I am thankful to EVERYONE who came out to see the new work!
THRILLED to have sold some paintings to some good homes, and to have met some new people who enjoyed my art!
Thanks to husband for helping me get it all done. He is a SAINT. (SHHHH DO NOT TELL HIM THAT!)
And thanks to all the volunteers and staff at TOAE.
Glad to be a part of the show!