I had someone recently ask me why I still do Art Festivals when I also sell my work at shops and galleries and online. Art Festivals are a lot of work! A lot of physical work - carrying in, setting up, breaking down - and often very long hours. But I find that the chance to talk directly to people about my paintings makes all the hard work worthwhile!
Just last month, I showed my work at the Beverly Arts Festival. Crazy busy day. At one point in the afternoon, I was talking to a nice gentleman inside my booth when he looked out at the people outside and said "Look at that. They are all smiling!" And he was right - about a dozen people were lined up outside my booth, looking at my wall of paintings and every single one of them were smiling. THAT'S why I still do shows! To see in person the connections that people make with my work, the nostalgia, the memories as they view the iconic signs, familiar buildings, old cars - even classic toys - that they had forgotten or hadn't thought about in a while. I love hearing the stories of favorite family places, first dates, special occasions, favorite memories....it never gets old!
Speaking of Beverly, here is one of my favorite paintings of the ones I have painted of places in Beverly:
The Cabot
20 x 16 inches
acrylic on canvas
available HERE
As a big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the Beverly Arts Fest, I am offering a 10% discount on ALL PRINTS in my ShirleyPrints Etsy shop. You can check them out here SHIRLEYPRINTS and use the coupon code BAF10 at checkout to receive the discount. But shop soon - the discount will only be available for the next few weeks until July 23.
