So, my town offers a yearly art festival at the end of the summer. It’s called the Liberty Arts Festival in Morris, IL. I’ve recently moved down here so I’ve never actually had the opportunity to attend it and to see how it runs. I was initially going to spend the money to get a booth, set up my art, call off work, and try to sell some greeting cards and just get my name out there more. The more I planned the more I realized how unprepared I was. I don’t have business cards made yet, I don’t even really have products to sell. Maybe just a few greeting cards. So, in order to save myself from an anxiety-induced meltdown I decided to just attend the event this year and to see what it’s about. That way I can see how my illustration can fit in here better.
To be honest, I’m overthinking it. I know my product, I know what I create, and the best way to see how it holds up is to actually try to sell it to living customers. But I guess there is a part of me that expects it all to be perfect before I can set it free. I think that’s another layer of my psyche that clearly needs to be worked through but, all kidding aside, I’m excited to check out this event without the pressure of trying to market myself. I’m grateful that my town celebrates artists and that I have the opportunity to be a part of that. I am definitely planning on writing a bit more on my experience attending the event.
And, in the meantime, I’m going to continue to creating, building. I need to print business cards and there are some birthday cards that I have recently created that still need to be printed. It’s also been recommended to me that I start an etsy shop so I’ve been debating getting that up and running. Lately I’ve been working on some images for a birthday card that I also intend on turning into a pattern. I like to start lots of projects and then find excuses as to why I haven’t finished anything yet. However, as the saying goes,”if it’s important you’ll find a way, if not, you’ll find an excuse.” My current “excuses” are my full-time job, which provides for my other excuses: two dogs, three cats, and a gecko. Despite their mostly adorable antics, their endless love is always a source of inspiration for my art. Every day is another step in the right direction if only for the mere opportunity to create something new. Every day is one step in building my art business.
Hopefully I’ll get to bump into you at the Liberty Arts Festival! Check it out, it’s on Saturday August 27th in downtown Morris, IL. Click this link for more info: Liberty Arts Festival.
