At the 46th Annual ASUNM Arts and Crafts Fair

I’ve just come off of three days at the ASUNM Arts & Crafts Fair.  I had a great time, even if I am exhausted.  This was my second year at the fair which has been held at the University of New Mexico for the past 46 years.  My work is high-priced for a fair of this sort, but I like exhibiting here, because the folks who come through really appreciate the work.  I especially enjoy talking with the photography students who are always interested in learning about new techniques.

Peace - Taken at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco

Preparing for the show gave me a chance to select and prepare new images that will end up in my online shop – that’s work for the coming week(s).  And being at the show told me something about what people liked.  The interesting thing about that last point, though, is that people like things for all sorts of unpredictable reasons.  (I suppose I should have expected that.)  I only print images that have a special quality about them and a special meaning for me.  I cannot assume that others will see them in the same way.  For instance, one person was very moved by an image (at right), because it reminded them of a person dear to them.  I could not have known that, but it made me very happy to hear it.

Several people felt I should have this work in galleries.  That sounds good, and I have had my work in a gallery, but I have reservations about this approach, because galleries want to sell my work at double or triple the price that I ask – and keep the difference, of course.  They do provide a certain exposure to well-heeled clients, but for now, at least, I prefer selling directly at a fair price without the gallery markup.  Of course, if anyone wants to pay me twice as much or more, I’ll consider it.

Before I sign off, I want to thank everyone who visited my booth at the Fair.  Also, a special thanks to my booth neighbors: Allison, the gifted herbal wildcrafter (look it up), Rachel, whose wonderful beaded ear rings should soon appear on Etsy (right?), and Dave the potter who graciously took the photo of me above.  Like me, they put their hearts into their work, and I wish them the best in pursuing their craft.