Showing my work at the Secret Art Fair

It all started in early January 2019. I took the plunge, and booked a modest amount of wall space at the ‘Secret Art Fair’ to be held over a weekend at the Minories in Colchester. This would be the first time ever that I’d put my own artwork up for public display and for sale. I had no expectation that I’d sell anything, for me it would be enough to be there and to network with other artists and people interested in art.

When the day came I was slightly apprehensive but also reasonably excited. As I hung my work on the walls, I felt a little like I was nailing a small piece of myself up there. The process of making art is very intense and very personal for me, and I also have many anxieties that it’s good enough to show. This highly self critical part of my character can be a help and a hinderance, it’s a help because this self criticism is always driving me to improve and do better. It hinders now and again though, because I can sometimes fail to even start anything for fear that I’ll fail to meet my own expectations, and what I’ve created on the page won’t match the vision of the drawing I had in my head. Sometimes picking up a pen, stick or pencil to draw something can seem like the hardest thing. 

I shouldn’t have worried. I had sold two pieces before the event started, and at the private view on Friday night I sold two more. Then 3 others went later that evening and on Saturday, meaning that 7 out of 8 works I had prepared and framed had sold. I couldn’t have wished for a better introduction to this new venture. Plus, I had a really good time at the event. There was a camaraderie amongst the other artists, many of whom like me do other things to make their money but have a drive to create art in their spare time. Like me, all these people had put something personal of themselves up on the wall.

I’m realistic, and I’m not ready to give up my day job to pursue this (I’m not sure I ever will be), but it has given my confidence a boost and validates my work in a special way. It has also informed me of what people are looking for and like in my work. Now I just need to make some more, so watch this space!

Photo credit: Thanks to Stephen Ball