A Festive Start: Unveiling Artistic Delights at Iver Village Infants School Christmas Market
It is with great delight that I share with you the wonderful experience I had on the evening of Friday, November 3rd, as I set up my stall at the heartwarming Iver Village Infants School Christmas Market. This charming event, adorned with about 25 stalls featuring local crafters, artists, and artisans, marked the inaugural Christmas market of the season for me.
A Curated Showcase
Choosing what to present at such an event is always a delightful challenge and I didn’t have my friend, Debs with me to help who is much better than me at putting a display together. Thankfully, my wife was with me, and she did an amazing job and again, far better than anything I would have produced. With a vast array of paintings to my name, it was clear that I couldn't bring them all. The key, therefore, was curation. I carefully selected a wide range of pieces, aiming to give visitors a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of my work. Okay, that’s not strictly true. I loaded the car up with as many paintings as I could, and my wife told me which ones I couldn’t have! The result? A selection that not only piqued interest but also sparked conversations and connections.
A Priceless Experiment
For this event, I decided to embark on an intriguing experiment - I chose to leave the prices off the paintings. In the past, I've observed that sometimes, the displayed price can inadvertently sway a visitor's perception. This time, however, I noticed a refreshing shift. Attendees were drawn to the artwork itself, allowing its essence to take centre stage. It was only after their interest was piqued that they inquired about the price. This shift led to engaging negotiations and discussions, adding a delightful layer of interaction to the evening.
Art, Conversations, and Community
The evening was a delightful whirlwind of art, conversations, and connections. From discussing the inspirations behind the pieces to sharing the joy of finding the perfect match for a home, each interaction was a testament to the power of art in bringing people together. Most people were surprised to learn that being profoundly colourblind, I actually can’t see most of the colours in my paintings, or at least I don’t know what colours I’ve used. Some thought this was a great unique selling point.
Of course, it’s not just about my stall and it was great to get a chance to meet some of the other stall holders and find out about their products and how they had approached setting up their stalls. Everyone does it slightly differently and we all have something to learn from each other.
A New Direction? Teaching
Not for the first time, I was approached and asked if I could give art lessons. One lovely lady explained to me that she had looked into other artists who give lessons, but she didn’t really like the idea of having to paint what the artist was telling them to paint. She asked me if I would be willing to teach her the techniques I use. I have never considered going down this route but, on reflection, I think this is perhaps an area I should explore. I told the lady to contact me, and we could discuss this further. Before leaving, she told me she was undergoing treatment for cancer and would I be prepared to come to her ward to show others how to paint. Sadly, she told me that other artists she had approached had declined. I enthusiastically said I would be interested. She was talking about having me come in and get paid. However, on reflection, I have decided that if this does happen, I will not be charging a penny, and it would be my pleasure to visit and hopefully brighten a few people’s day.
Looking Ahead: The Wellington Arms Event
With the success of the Iver Village Infants School Christmas Market setting the tone, I eagerly anticipate my next event at The Wellington Arms, nestled between Reading and Basingstoke on the A33, on the 26th of November. With the spirit of camaraderie and artistry firmly in place, I look forward to another event filled with shared experiences and artistic discoveries.
As always, your support and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind my creative journey. I am grateful for each one of you. Until the next edition, take care.