Marin Art Festival Review

A few weeks have passed since the Marin Art Festival, and I have to admit, this one wore me out! It wasn't the festival itself, since set-up was relatively easy. It was the mental strain of preparation, and that difficult switch to the "selling" side of art that did it.

The show wasn't a resounding success. It wasn't a failure either. Like most shows I've done this year, it was so-so. Marin puts on a gorgeous art festival. The quality of work was high, the food was very good, and the live music and entertainment was engaging. Attendance could have been better, but people were buying. Unfortunately, When you pay $1,000 just for the booth space, it's difficult to break even.

Despite the cost, I'll continue to do fine art festivals when I'm able. They are worth the effort for the opportunity to meet people face-to-face. When your art is hanging in a gallery, you usually don't get that chance. Someone I meet at a festival this year could result in a commission, sale or connection years later. When you spend most of your time holed up alone in the studio, that's invaluable!

There I am, in requisite floppy hat

Booth interior

The show from above

artist, Hines

another female figure artist (a rarity), Chelsea Croy

some very elegant stilt walkers

glass sculpture by the bay

Not Without a Fight

As many of you know, it’s been a difficult few months. In fact, the last nine months have been some of the most trying in my life, but I’m determined to make this work. In betting terms, I’m all in. Despite all the hardships, it’s been my best year yet as a full-time artist. There is no turning back, so I keep pushing with my career, hoping for better times.

A week ago, I was accepted to the Marin Art Festival. This is one of the top shows in the county, billed as “the most beautiful art festival in the nation”. With just 92 spots available, and over 900 applications, I was accepted!

I’m struggling right now just to pay rent, and can’t afford the booth fee. The folks at Marin were kind enough to give me two weeks to raise the funds. I have even more acceptance letters coming in, and I'm doing everything I can to do these shows.

To help me accomplish my goals, I’m turning to my Internet friends and family. Over the next month, I’ll be creating mini oil paintings to post in my Etsy shop. Subjects will focus on food, flowers, and whatever else catches my fancy. They will be priced at only $55 each! If you have a request, post it here, and I’ll make one just for you.

I’m also offering a $25% discount on all my Etsy prints and necklaces and (discount refunded after checkout). Just make sure you mention my blog.

One more thing-I’ve added a Paypal “donate” button to my blog. Even a few dollars will help make these shows happen for me. Every bit helps, more than you know, and I'll continue to do my best to help others learn through my experiences.

I'll have the first few paintings up within a few days. In the meantime, here are some examples of mini's I've painted in the past: