Why Artists Should Do Demos

The Marietta Square's First Friday Art Walk just keeps getting better and better. This past Friday night the Square, and the shops, restaurants and galleries all around the Square, were bustling with visitors seeking art, food and fun. Friday's event was one big street party, with live music and plenty of entertainment.

Hubs took leave from his role of Supportive Spouse after helping me get set up for my collage demo at 2Rules and struck out in search of a quick snack. When he came back, he reported that he'd had a hard time making his way through the crowds but had managed to snag a couple of cookies.

Gallery owner Lois Rule helps me set up for my demo prior to the start of the art walk. Behind us my mixed media paintings, mini-paintings, jewelry and paper mosaic mirrors are showcased on the freestanding display.

By this time I was in the midst of my demo, fielding questions from a stream of curious visitors wanting to know all about my process and materials. It would have been very bad form to stop in the middle of it to eat a cookie, so I tucked the cookie into my tote bag. (Where I belatedly discovered it just this afternoon. It was a little dry, lol).

Giving a public demo can be agony or ecstasy for an artist. Sometimes it's both. Painting in front of a crowd of strangers, and answering questions while simultaneously focusing on creating a piece of art can be unnerving. But for the undaunted, it's also a great opportunity to connect with people, share your knowledge and art with them, and receive valuable feedback. 

For me Friday night fell into the latter category. I had a grand time. Not only did I meet dozens of extremely nice, very interesting people, I reconnected with a friend I hadn't seen in several years, and was able to point a number of visitors interested in trying collage to resources where they could learn more about it. Talking to people about my art was fun; even more fun was watching it sell. Afterwards, we met up with friends for a late night supper. It was the perfect ending to a perfect night.

If you're an artist who's shy about doing demos, I hope you'll reconsider. You don't have to be perfect (making goofs is normal, and shows you're human as well as creative!). You don't have to be witty or articulate, either. In fact, some artists remain silent during their demos; they just paint and allow the audience to watch. I personally think engaging in conversation with onlookers yields a more satisfying experience for both artist and audience, but that choice is up to you. Giving demos is an important part of an art career. Don't let self-doubts hold you back. It's an opportunity for professional growth you shouldn't pass up.

Besides art walks and festivals, there are many places where you can offer to do demos. Clubs and organizations are always looking for someone to put on interesting programs for members. Active adult and retirement communities are another opportunity. So are churches, employee organizations, certain types of businesses, art and cultural centers, schools...anywhere people gather and are interested in learning something new.

By the way, I goofed during my demo at 2Rules. I misplaced one of my paper tiles, then glued down a few more in the wrong places. It wasn't the end of the world. I just punted by substituting a spare for the missing tile, and gluing down more spares over the "mistakes." You roll with the punches during a demo. Welcome those punches. They're not knocking you down. They're pointing you toward success!

Text and image ©2015 Lynn Edwards

An Art Destination in the Ozarks

Travel seems to be on my mind quite a lot these days. So I thought it might be fun to introduce you to some more delightful places Hubs and I have visited that are known for their charm as well as their focus on the arts. (I covered Santa Fe -- a totally amazing place -- in some posts back in October of 2013.) Today, I'd like to tell you about Eureka Springs, Arkansas, located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in the northwest part of that state.

Eureka Springs is one of the most charming little towns I've ever encountered. Its entire downtown is on the National Register. Eureka's many Victorian homes are decked out in paint schemes ranging from dignified to quirky to flamboyant. Strolling through the town's  neighborhoods during warmer months you'll see lush gardens everywhere. This is a town decorated in flowers wherever you look.

This iconic building is situated in the heart of the downtown area.

 

Beauty both natural and handmade

One of the most appealing things about Eureka Springs' natural assets is its many springs emanating from the limestone formations upon which the town is built. One that we came upon in the midst of all the town's "painted ladies" was in a beautiful natural grotto thick with ferns and blossoms. Benches had been placed in strategic locations to allow passersby to stop and enjoy the sheer beauty of the site. It was so peaceful and lovely I could have stayed there all day.


But there are many other things to do in this town besides visiting its natural springs! One of them is immersing yourself in art. Both times we've visited we've spent lots of time wandering through all the interesting specialty shops and galleries in downtown Eureka. The vibe in ES is funky, laid back and fun -- exactly what you'd expect in a town boasting more than 400 artists as residents.

Fantasy & Stone offers colorful, eclectic art for both home and garden.

There are so many galleries in Eureka Springs it's impossible to visit them all in just a weekend. Two we especially enjoyed, among others, were Fusion Squared Gallery and Fantasy & Stone. At Fusion Squared we saw extraordinary fused glass jewelry, all designed by owner John Rinehart. His creations are positively dazzling.  

Across the street from Fusion Squared is Fantasy & Stone. Its owner is a delightful lady with an eye for art and decor pieces that are best described as quirky. It's all very colorful and light-hearted...the sort of eclectic artwork that makes you smile just looking at it. I was especially drawn to a display of large crystal suncatchers, any of which would have looked spectacular in a window or a garden.

If you stay in one of Eureka's many excellent bed and breakfast establishments, you'll encounter beauty there as well. On our last visit to Eureka Springs, we stayed at Red Bud Manor Inn, a B&B that's a work of art in itself. Everything from our room to the grounds to the breakfasts served up by our gracious innkeeper was picture perfect.

The cheerful front porch at Red Bud Manor Inn

Red Bud's hillside garden is a hidden jewel.

Entertainment that's out of the ordinary

There's plenty in Eureka Springs to admire and enjoy. Its downtown is easily walkable and retains all of its historic charm. Catch a concert or listen to street musicians in downtown's Basin Park, and enjoy hiking, boating, rafting, wildlife watching and canoeing. The surrounding mountains lure outdoor lovers, and at any given time there's likely to be a festival or special event taking place. (When we were there, it was a gathering of antique car lovers from all over the country.)

Where else but in Eureka Springs will you find a rabbit that hands you your receipt?

The gift shop's Most Valuable Employee

Eureka Springs is a very special place. Where else will you encounter a very friendly live rabbit that presents a gift shop's customers with their receipts? The cashier at Caroline's Collectables bags the merchandise and hands the receipt to the rabbit, who in turn gives it to the amazed customer. I'm sure many people make more purchases than they intended to, just to have a chance to interact with this furry little merchant. Another example of the many surprises to be found in Eureka Springs!

Text and images ©2014 Lynn Edwards