If It Please the Jury

My apologies for the silence on my end. I’m gearing up for the 2011 art fair season, which means making lots of robots, sprucing up the tent and display units, and hitting the gym. Yes, the gym–you have no idea how physically grueling these shows can be, and I’m trying desperately to get back into shape.  We did 8 shows last year, and it kicked my butt.  I have no idea how the people who do 20, 30, even 40 shows survive it, let alone find the time to make anything to sell.  So as we leave tomorrow for our first 2011 show in Chattanooga, TN, I’d just like to share a few new pictures with you.

Did you know that the artists you see at most art festivals have to apply to be in the show? I’m sorry if I’m insulting your intelligence, but you’d be amazed at the number of people who think that the festival organizers let anyone who wants to exhibit do so, or–better yet–that we get paid by the promoters to be there, providing color and entertainment to the public. Explains the patrons who let their kids run amuck in my booth, or–better yet–leave them there while they eat lunch in the restaurant across the street. After all, we’re paid to be there, we might as well babysit, right? If only… Actually, getting in to the good shows is unbelievably competitive. And an artist’s fate lies in the hands of a few jurors who must base their decision on a handful of pictures of the artist’s work. So it makes sense to have the best possible photos. And that’s why I recently popped for some really good pics from photographer and all around nice guy Larry Berman. Here they are:

Sweet, huh?  How could a jury resist? Their names, if you’re curious, are Wall E.T., Steampunky Brewster, She Who Must Be Obeyed, Acrobot, Anatomical Curiosity, and Hell Mary. And don’t they just look like they should be in an art museum now? Where they would, no doubt, run amuck, terrifying all those uptight paintings and kicking some sculpture ass.

One last thing before we head west to Tennessee tomorrow–you may have noticed a new list in the side bar to your right.  That’s this year’s schedule of shows, in case you want to visit some FOBOTS in person, rather than just gaze upon their faboo glamour shots.  I’ll be updating the list as I hear from a few more shows. Three more, to be exact. Yes, I know that would total 9, one more than last year, but I AM working out now. I think I can do this.

News Flash–We’ll be back at the St. Louis Art Fair this year, so make that two more we’re waiting to hear from.  

Make that one more–“Arts, Beats & Eats” in Royal Oak, MI on Labor Day weekend.  And if you’re observant, you’ll notice that we snuck in one more–got called in off the waitlist for “Artisphere” in Greenville SC in April, so we may be doing 10 shows this year.  IF I have enough stuff…