The weekend Brian and I crossed the bridge west to participate in the Marin Arts Fair. My booth was near the stilt-walker section of the grounds so we got to see a band of modern gypsies transform into corset wearing long-legged clowns, dragons,and sunflowers. The children were face-painted and costumed as well, and danced and played at the end of ribbon-leashes held by an adult. Their camp was articulated by the modern caravan of Dodge Sprinter vans and Prius cars. After the make up came off, the kids wrestled in the grass and sang.
We were literally facing the music, so both days started with Tico drumming and mellowed into afternoon guitar or banjo.
On the art-end, it was a change to hear from the Marin crowd. They are not used to seeing the Bay from the East, so had difficulty identifying where my big Berkeley (grizzly peak-ish view) was from. At Live Oak Park, most visitors were filled with local pride and recognition of a good spot. Marin elicited more puzzled looks and questions. My decision to leave out the Golden Gate bridge was more controversial here than in Berkeley. Some were excited or amused by my attention to simple objects, and some excited to see brush-stroke activity on the canvas. After a speedy tour of the grounds, I see how this could be a novelty amid booths of flowers, fruits, and seasides floating on smooth canvas.
When I consider my hopes and expectations for this summer's fairs, they were all met - I gave out cards, met new folks, and nothing fell down or took flight in a stiff breeze. I ate well, had great company, and met some folks that I hope will turn into good future friends.
The Marin event was 3 times larger and more commercial than last weekend - both by the type of product and in the way it was put together. The shiny white-peaked tent tops were quite nice (Bri got a lot of cool pix of them). And the location was stellar, next to a big lagoon. Lunch was a mean portabella sandwich and hand scooped ice cream for dessert. Highlights included seeing some family and friends I haven't caught up with for a while.
Along with all the good vibes, I returned home super-tired and with a feeling of uncertainty. I guess I am a gypsy as well, seeking the right white walls and crowd to show to. For now, all I can do is make more work and keep moving around, looking for the perfectly placed wedge of pegboard or empty walls under track lighting.
Project of the day is to reclaim the living room from the piles of plastic boxes full of art goods and return the van. I spent a good hour at Andronico's and treated myself to delicious snacks, a jug of superfood juice, and the ingredients for good baking.
Not sure if I will cross the Bay again next year -- I will wait for a few more nights good sleep to decide.
Monday, June 18, 2007
marin arts fair 07
Thursday, May 31, 2007
June Art-Extravaganza - California Style
What it will be like to sell my art from a location that's not zoned for "industrial use"?
After my normal Open Studios event this weekend, I will venture beyond the Cricket Engine walls, to join the world of pop-up tents, gourmet food vendors, and variable weather conditions. Yep, I am taking the paintings on the road to two Art Fairs near my home turf - the Berkeley Live Oak Park Fair, and the Marin Arts Festival.
My criteria for picking venues ? Near enough to good eats so that Brian will hang out with me all day, and well-publicized enough so that more than ten people will walk by my tent. Both Marin and Live Oak fit the bill.
Before dozing off each night, I've been contemplating methods to make the paintings look nice against a backdrop of white plastic tent-wall... But I should hope for simpler things - to have things not-topple over, to get more than two hours sleep the night before, to not forget too many items, and to meet some interesting people.
I hear rumors that seasoned Art Fair folks make their living off of their creations and seasonal sales. Curious to witness some of the magic, and to linger long enough to have some rub-off.
Anyone in KibArt digi-fan land is welcome to these events... I don't generally address the ether - but here I am, talking to my blog after midnight. So, dear blog readers, if you find yourself wandering past my humble display of highways and hillsides on a weekend in June - with a sushi wrap in one hand and peet's coffee in the other, please come say hi!
Also, if you would like to come to Marin, let me know so I can send you a free admission card by snailie mailie. painter(at)robinkibby.com
