Nervous Sweating and Unexpected Joy: Vending at Art Markets

I’m swallowing my nerves as we get closer and closer to the location of my first art show. Nathan is with me, both for moral support and muscle. Over the past few months, I’ve spent countless hours making lists, researching tents and mesh walls, seeking advice, buying business insurance, and trying to think through every little thing I might need (S-hooks, newsletter sign-up sheets, price tags, prints, bungee cords—the list goes on).

I think we have everything. We’ve practiced setting up the tent. We’ve managed to pack my Subaru Forester to the hilt and still fit 30 paintings. It’s show time.

We arrive by 8:30 am, though the show doesn’t start until noon. But once we find my spot, I go into overdrive—unnecessarily rushing like we’re out of time, hands shaking a little. Sure enough, we’re fully set up by 10 am. Now we wait.

As of this past weekend, I’ve now participated in three art fairs, all vastly different from each other. One was in a bustling urban area, known for its size and foot traffic, where I barely broke even on expenses. Another was a small local show, and I was pleasantly surprised to have quite a few sales—including several original pieces.

I’ve battled rain, hail, wind gusts, and big humidity-affected hair. (In two out of three shows, other people’s tents were destroyed by storms—mine has held strong so far, though it’s already due for a coat of waterproofing spray, which I bought yesterday.)

All that aside, I’ve met more wonderful people than I can count—customers, fellow vendors, organizers—and my friends and family have shown up to support me in the most incredible ways.

Every time someone chooses to take a piece of my art home, it shocks me a little. One lovely woman looked around at my work and said it was “almost cruel” how beautiful everything was. She was genuinely worried she wouldn’t be able to choose just one.

Moments like that will stay with me.

It means so much to me that people would want to take something I’ve made, live with it, and allow it to become part of the energy of their home.

To everyone who’s stopped by, asked a question, stood with their mouth agape, lingered in front of a piece, or brought one home—thank you. You’re part of this journey, and you’re the reason I find joy in this experience, despite how much hard work goes into it beyond just making the art.

Next up:

I have two upcoming markets -

• Garrett County Artist Studio Tour – July 26–27, where I’ll be set up at Annie Simcoe’s studio

• Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street in Pittsburgh, PA – August 23–24

In the meantime, I’m working on a new batch of mixed media pieces on paper, alongside my canvas work, to allow for more affordability and faster turnaround between layers. I’m also building a collection of oil paintings that move away from abstraction and focus more on my personal lens—local scenes, landscapes from my travels, interiors, still life, and more.

I’ll share updates here as they come (and maybe a few harrowing market stories too—seriously, it hailed at my first one).