My First Local Art Show

I haven't posted anything in a while and I apologize for that. I've had a lot going on here and had a medication change that has me readjusting some things. In the meantime I set up my art at a local art show. It was quite an experience and I have a lot of thoughts on it.

First, I was scared to even apply, not sure they'd accept me. It wasn't a typical art show. There was artists, crafters and also live music and burlesque dancers. Pretty fun mix of entertainment. It was at the Brick at the Bluestar in San Antonio which is just a few minutes from where I live.

On the night of the show, I got all set up. I recently started doing some acrylic painting on canvas in addition to my digital painting. Its a whole different animal compared to my digital stuff, but its a lot of fun and I'm pretty excited about some of the things I've painted so far. For the show I took a mix of digital and canvas art.

Its a pretty modest set up, but I was happy with it. Throughout the show a lot of people came by. Everyone was super nice. What shocked me though was how my digital art got so much more attention than my canvas paintings. I always heard from artists online that in person people prefer canvas and texture of real paint. Though one friend told me the price of canvas and size if often limiting as who who and when someone will buy it. Compared to a small 8x10 or 11x14 print for a fraction of the price. Makes sense, just not something I was prepared for.

My prints are pretty good quality. I got them on Giclee matte paper from Mpix which I highly recommend for getting prints done of your art.

The night went on and a lot of people came by, a lot of people took business cards and chatted with me about my art, my process and my style. Yet no one bought anything. I kept hoping someone before the night was over would be a print or two, but nothing. I had done an horror themed art show in Austin last year called Fright Gallery. It was a really fun show, and at that one I sold four prints. I figured this would go some similar way, maybe better since I had improved so much as an artist in the past year.

But no, it wasn't to be. That's not to take away from the experience. I spent most of last week lamenting my lack of sales, questioning if I was on the right path and wondering if anyone even wants my weird art. After talking to my therapist we figured out a lot of my depression was chemical and made a small tweak to my medication which had me feeling better by the next day.

Still, I was baffled by my lack of sales and questioning based on the response should I focus more on digital or canvas? I had a good conversation with one of my more experienced artist friends. She said it can take years to get any sale and while I do expect a lot of myself and tend to push myself harder than I should, if I'm not going to do commissions or fan art, I need to focus on doing art for me. Still put it up for sale and do shows, but the things I want to create, and not what I think will sell. Eventually the right people will find it. It will take time, and it may take a few years,

So that was all oddly freeing and scary to hear. Fortunately I have a day job I do from home that makes up most of my income. I don't have to worry about not selling art and bills not being paid. So I don't have to rush it or force it or change my vision of what I'm trying to accomplish. Years ago I used to write bad fiction and often wrote things I hated just because thats what sold. I told myself I won't be doing that with art. I'm sticking to my own vision and principles.

So, that's my takeaway from the show. It was a lot of fun, I met a lot of cool people and made some good contacts for some future shows in other galleries and events. So the best thing I think I can do is just draw or paint digital or on canvas whatever I'm in the mood to do at a given time. I mostly do digital still because that is just easier and more accessible. But I will do a few canvases a week. Here is some of what I've been working on lately.

These are some of my canvas and digital projects I've worked on. One thing I love about digital is I can try different styles and techniques and start over easily if I mess up. Which helps me when I go to do it with real paint, I have an idea how it will or should look.

So, that's what I've been up to. I'll try to keep up on here more. Thank you all for reading and I'll update everyone with my next event!