Don’t Box Me In
After a very busy Spring that included MoPrint and a death in the family, I recently did Summer Art Market. SAM is both a big party/social event, and a grind as the years lengthen, which is why it’s my only truly large show left. I do enjoy seeing everyone ( and the sales tend to be strong ), but it does take a lot out of you.
I won’t do it forever, of course, though I do plan to do it as long as I can physically manage. And I took a year off a little while back, so that I could build inventory, which helps make things smoother in the run-up. I also worked hard to prepare for MoPrint earlier this year, so there was fairly new work, of all sizes, to display. Much of it has involved the theme of boxes, a simple metaphor for life’s accumulations, whether physical or intangible, not to mention death’s first stop over.
I was reminded of this with the recent loss of my father. A home, another sort of box, can feel awfully empty when the loved ones are gone, no matter how much memorabilia it holds. These things were in the back of my mind as I explored the meaning of boxes in studio this year. Art is so valuable for letting the spirit ponder, and speak.
The Summer Art Market is a great time to catch up with people. It’s relaxed, the weather is usually good. and I’m certainly not going anywhere. In this case, after a very busy half year, my thematic projects are probably resolved for now, and I’ll probably explore other themes in the Fall. So it took on the quality of a celebration. A huge street fair party that has at its center the creative spirit. I’m proud to say that I have students in the show, some of whom outsell me. I try to get to all of the artists I know, to say hello, but that’s actually pretty impossible.
In a more career-oriented part of my life this show was a chance to reach out, and possibly grow an audience. Now it feels like a chance to have a conversation, and remind people that an artist’s work is never done.
Thanks to everyone who came by my booth during the show! It went quite well, and as usually happens, I wound up going shopping during the quiet time on Sunday morning. I bought a couple of pieces, I could easily have bought a couple more. It’s a great place to shop for art!
#summerartmarket2024 #asldprintmakers samprintmakers #artstudentsleaguedenver
