It all begins with a dream to make a successful living at what I love to do, paint wildlife and nature in watercolor. Maybe you have discovered you love to paint. Maybe you want to turn it into something more. Or, maybe you need a second income with flexibility. Whatever it is, you are looking to sell your artwork at fairs, festivals, or art shows.

I am not an expert at selling artwork, but I know what has worked for me, and I am willing to share it with you in a series of blog posts for artists with a like mind. If this is you, keep reading. Comment (nicely please), ask questions, and follow along. My experiences are being made available and hopefully you will not have to start from scratch like I did.

This is a series of blog posts I am creating to answer many questions asked over social media regarding how I sell my artwork at art shows, arts and craft fairs, and festivals. I am taking each step and creating a post to help you along your way to selling your artwork in this manner. Let’s begin with how to find these art shows, fairs, and festivals. Future posts in this series will take us from finding these events to the day of the event and through to the aftermath of selling your artwork at a booth as a vendor.

Advertising on Social Media for an event I participated.

Grab your research (from How to Find Art Shows, Fairs, and Festivals to Sell Your Art), access to the internet, something to take notes, and let’s go.

1. Read it.

Read the application thoroughly before filling it out. I just filled out an application for the Big Four Arts Festival in Louisville, Kentucky this fall. The application was an online application through Zapplication. To find the application, I went to the website for the event. The website discussed the event and what vendors should expect. After rereading through all this, I clicked the link for the application.

Applications and regulations for the event will vary greatly for each art show, fair, and festival. Some are a simple as sending an email to the organizer. Others require a paper application mailed with an application fee/booth fee paid by check or money order along with the application. Others use online applications through Zapplication, Juried Art Services, and others.

2. Fill out the application with details.

Details are key, especially if the event is a juried event. Be sure to describe eat product you will have in your booth. Event organizers do not like surprises, and will often hold you to the products you listed on your application. You will want to include your technique, the medium of your artwork, the presentation of your art, and whether you will include prints (open edition or limited) in your booth.

My application to the Big Four Arts Festival says: Hand-painted watercolor wildlife, nature, and pet portraits painted using professional grade watercolor on 100% cotton rag watercolor paper. Artwork on the walls are framed in black wood with plexiglass for safety. Original artwork on walls and in the bin is matted and backed with archival materials. One bin is designated for open edition and limited edition prints and Giclees.

3. Include booth photo.

I like to include a booth photo whether they ask for it or not. Many do require it. If you do not have one, set up your tent (or borrowed tent) and take one. Do not include your name or business name in the booth photo. Juried events often ask for it not to be included.

If you are applying to a high end juried event, it is in your best interest to have a professional photographer take the photos, edit them, and crop out the areas outside your tent. Be sure the size of file meets image size requirements for the application.

4. Include artwork images.

I always include images of my artwork as they are framed and ready to sell in the booth. Take the glass/plexiglass out of the frames before photographing the artwork to avoid glare and reflections. If you are using a professional photographer for the booth photo, it would be great to get them to take 3-5 images or so of your artwork at the same time.

5. Upload images to application.

As mentioned above, be sure images meet the requirements for uploading. There have been a few events, where they asked me to email the application, booth photo, and artwork photos. Be sure to follow the guidelines they give you.

6. Keep the verification.

Be sure to keep a record of the application, mailing date (online confirmation). Also take note of the date they will notify vendors/artist of acceptance/not accepted. I always a few smaller events set aside to participate if I am not accepted into the art show, fair, or festival I preferred. These smaller events often do not require an early deadline for the applications as the bigger/higher end events do.

My booth photo for applications in 2021. I have the sign with my name blurred out for the applications.

Stay tuned….

This is just the beginning. My favorite method of selling artwork is through booths as a vendor. I can meet collectors and other artist in person. Talk with them, and interact. This series of posts is just beginning. I will take you through my experiences of locating, preparing, setting up, selling at the event, and the aftermath of the day. I look forward to sharing it all with you.

One of my favorite ways to share artwork is through Instagram @JoyNeasleyStudios. Follow to see daily updates and progress of current artwork as it is painted.