The lows, and the highs of dealing with the public...
 
I had an art fair this weekend, and it went fantastic  ....except for a very small number of bizarre customer interactions.
Most of the odd conversations/people where easy enough to shrug off, but one REALLY got my hackles up  A woman walked into my booth, and in a very loud voice, said to her companion "Oh, this person is just trying to imitate the art of *(name of other Alaskan artist...whose work doesnt resemble mine at all, and is in fact done in a completely different medium)*!!!" 
Well...Id had a great day, but, I also had a migraine, and was really tired...so instead of ignoring her, I pretty much gave it to her with both barrels  ...bad enough that she and her friend basically fled not only my booth, but the building!
I was left, at that point feeling very bummed, and desperate for the show to end  Right about then, another pair of women entered my booth, and after looking at the artwork, and making several complementary comments (which I thanked them for with very little enthusiasm ) one of them spotted my artist's bio, which has the same photo on it as my forum pic. "Oh! you have sheepdogs!" Oh, thank goodness...if she had made some sort of "labradoodle" comment, I think I would have LOST it at that point!!!  As it turned out...she not only was familiar with the breed, but was apparently close friends with Eggbert's breeder!  Considering that this is Alaska, and Blue Panda (the breeder) is in Oregon, this was pretty startling. She even told me some stories about traveling to shows with them, and helping groom and care for some of Berts relatives. So cool!
Sigh...Sheepdogs...they make everything better, dont they?! |
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| Mmmm that was also a totally uncalled for comment. Some people are about as sensitive as a sledgehammer.
My Mum was really strict on us when we were growing up with the "if you dont have something nice to say then dont say anything at all!! idea" It means I am very bad at critiquing sp? but I am really good at keeping my negative opinions to myself
I'm glad the show ended on a positive note, and it is a small world isnt it? PS what's wrong with imitating a style of art anyway? |
Mim wrote: PS what's wrong with imitating a style of art anyway? Nothing, I suppose...if that's your intent! My style is pretty individual, though, and it was obvious that she was just trying to make herself sound knowledgeable to her friend.
Ive gotten this kind of BS from the other side too...people who come up to me and tell me that so-and-so artist is "copying" me. When pressed to explain why they think so, they usually give some answer like: "Well, he's painting polar bears...and you painted polar bears first!"   HUH??? This is Alaska! We ALL paint polar bears, lady!!! |
| People never cease to amaze me with comments they can blurt out, without even thinking wether it is going to upset someone or not.
Glad they left the building
Wow how amazing is that with the sheepies it really is a small world we live in. It certainly ended on a high note meeting those women and finding out you all have something in common your OES that so cool. Do they live in Alaska or just visiting? |
| I have been in Laurel's booth and hear things that made me look around for a camera. After all no one should be that dim without a camera to record it.
I am you had a good show. I know for you the season has been tiring. |
Quote: I pretty much gave it to her with both barrels ...bad enough that she and her friend basically fled not only my booth, but the building! YES!!  What an asshat (I got that phrase from another post on here & it seems to fit nicely) I'm so glad you had your say.. I can only imagine how difficult these fairs can be.
How lovely to meet someone who loves sheepies & knows your breeder- just after that awful incident. I believe that happened for a reason. Your artwork is obviously fantastic judging by the pieces I've seen and the fact you are doing really well. I can totally understand how maddening it must be to hear people say you are trying to be like someone else, that would make my blood boil on a good day!  |
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