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.

QR code used to direct booth visitors directly to classes I offer, Thank you tags to personalize the booth, hang tags with logo on one side and the name of piece with price on the back. All designed to flow with branding across my website and social media. I want my customers to feel like they already know me when they view my art and business online.

Branding a booth is just like branding your business and branding a brick and mortar store. It should make your artwork stand out, and share who you, the artist, is with your booth visitors.

1. Tents/Canopies

If you do not already have a tent, you will either need to buy one or rent one. Many events offer to rent a tent and have it set up for you.

I used a pop-up tent for several years before investing in a quality commercial tent. I needed time to make money to invest into my art business. The pop up tent worked well, and gave me the needed time to save for a nice commercial canopy. I now use a canopy by Flourish.com. (Note: if you decide to purchase one, mention my name as the referral. I will receive a small referral check. I do love my canopy and only recommend what I love and use.)

Why mention tents and canopies in branding? Everything about your booth makes a statement. A high quality booth speaks volumes about the value and quality of your artwork, and you as an artist. It adds perceived value to your artwork.

2. Walls/Hanging system

Choose wall color or what you use to hang your artwork in a manner that makes your artwork pop, rather than distract. It may mean covering your walls. (Note: Be sure to check fire codes for your booth in the event regulations. The materials you use must meet them.)

For several years, I used a string netting (made for climbing vegetables in the garden to climb on) and zip ties to connect it to my tent. Now that I have a Flourish Trimline Canopy, I chose to upgrade to Flourish mesh panels for my artwork. I also chose the color to match my website branding because I already knew my style of artwork popped with the color. By doing this, I also keep my branding the same across all aspects of my art business and marketing.

Keep expenses for branding a low as you can until you are sure you like participating in booth/vendor events, like art shows, fairs, and festivals. Once you know you love it (and you have to love it, because it is hard work) you can slowly invest in upgrading your booth and branding.

If you are starting your art business, take it slow. As time passes, you will figure out what works for you ideal customers and your personality.

3. Business Cards

I have actually let go of business cards this year. In the past, they served their purpose. However, I have discovered that now-a-days they end up in the trash or a drawer somewhere. This year I have created a few oversized business cards to look like small signs. And I have place a few QR code’s around the booth to take people directly to my website, my Etsy Shop, my Skillshare painting classes, and a page on my website to see how to book a commission information.

Everyone carries their phone. They can take a quick photo for my business information and they can use their phone to get more information (this comes in handy while they wait for me to check out another customer until I am free to talk). I also have a small sign with my #joyneasleystudios for Instagram photos and encourage photos “with the artist” for them to post.

After the event, booth visitors are more likely to see your information as they scroll through photos on their phone than they are to keep the business card. (Note: I have, very politely, had to educate a few of the booth visitors. Each one has commented on how much they like it.)

4. Booth Signage.

Booth Signage aids with perceived value of your artwork, as does all aspects of branding the booth. Signs can include your logo or name signature, and a second line saying what you are about. I actually have three wooden signs I have created to hang together in the booth. One is similar to my logo, and the other two state what my booth and art business contains; “Hand-painted watercolor wildlife and nature”and “Hand-painted watercolor pet portraits”.

I also have a banner to hang on the outside of my tent at the top to allow people to identify which white booth I am. If they see something they liked but walked around a bit before making the decision to purchase the art, I want to make sure they can find my booth again.

5. Hang tags.

Hang tags are a professional way to include your logo and the price on your artwork. I, personally, like to allow visitors to see pricing without feeling they have to ask me. However, I don’t want the prices of the artwork to readily show. By having the visitors to the booth turn the tags to see the price, I can make a note what pieces people are interested.

I use round tags with my logo on one side and the name of the piece with the price on the back. Each are connected with kitchen string to the wiring on the back of my artwork. The string is long enough to make sure the tags hang where the people can see it easily and turn it for prices.

6. Email List Sign-up.

The golden egg of your business is the email list. These events are great for growing your email list with people who are eager to see your new work and receptive to reading all you have to say in your newsletter. The details of this is for another post someday, but take my word for it. You need a way for people to sign-up for your newsletter in your booth. I use a clipboard with sign-up sheets for interested parties to fill out. You may choose to set up a tablet for online sign-up, a guestbook style sign-up, etc.

7. Look Book

A look book is a way for visitors to view your portfolio, artwork you did not bring with you but is available, or to view available prints you can have shipped to their home.

In my case, I used a large photo album and photos of all the open edition and limited edition prints I have available for them to order. For each piece, I print out a photo. On the photo, I have the name of the piece, whether it is an open or limited edition print available, and write sold if the original painting is sold. On the back I include prices of the prints, sizes available, and how many are being printed (if it is a limited edition).

This allows me to display original artwork on the walls of my booth (I love painting, and paint full-time creating a lot of artwork). I only have a few prints on hand. I find they are happy to order the prints and have them shipped straight to their home rather than having to carry it around while they browse other booths.

8. Thank You Cards/Packaging

Branding includes the full customer experience in your booth. Packaging carried around an event after a purchase can be seen by other attendees walking the booths. I like to make sure my logo is on the bags. I do this by stamping it on the bags. I also like to include a thank you note for each customer in the bag.

Customers usually signup on the email list. I make sure to schedule sending them a thank you with my social media and other contact information the day after the event. This eliminates the need to add business cards to the bags. I find the email is received and the business cards are trashed. My logo is on the bag, if they desire to find me before the email goes out, a quick internet search of the name on my logo will give them everything they need.

Stay tuned….

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.