Have you ever have a time that you lost your creative spark? This happens to all artists at one time or another. The good news is that there are ways that you can keep that spark burning bright. I am going to talk today about how to get inspired at craft shows.
Photograph by Dave Nevue
Get Inspired at Craft Shows
I am lucky enough to live in New England where The Big E, also known as The Eastern States Exposition, is.
The Big E is the fifth largest fair in the nation and the largest agricultural event on the Eastern coast. The fair runs for 17 days and opens on the second Friday after Labor Day.
The six New England states, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Hampshire are represented at the fair.
Each state has a state building that showcases what the state is known for. You will find wonderful art and food that highlights the history and growth of each state. The fair also provides concerts, animals, food vendors, art vendors and rides for the children.
If you have visited the Big E you will notice that there are some of the same vendors year after year along with some newer vendors. It is a great time for the entire family and gives the opportunity to meet some incredible artists.
Inspiration
One way I find inspiration at craft shows is to watch a person grow from year to year.
There are musicians, artists, and athletes that I like to watch improve their skills over time.
It is exciting to me to see how much progress they can achieve in a year. If they have been around for a while I like to go back to when they first started. Each year you can see the progress that they have made. You can watch them grow into the greats that they are.
You can get inspired at craft shows by getting to know the artists that are regulars and see how they have grown with their craft. Each year that you visit their stand you will notice something new that they have to offer.
You might notice that they are using more colors, or they are using light in a different way.
You might notice that they have become better at their craft or they are working with a different medium.
Watching an artist grow is inspiring to all artists. It shows that we are all getting better at our craft as time goes by. It is easier to see the progress of someone else rather than ourselves.
You can get to know the artists that you admire. They would love to have a friendly face come see them at the fairs. Ask them questions. Most artists are more than happy to help another artist out. After all, that is how we all grow, by learning from each other. You might even gain a friend.
Look at different mediums
Another great way to get inspired at craft shows is to look at artwork that is created with different mediums. I am a graphite artist but I love to look at paintings, wood burnings, wood carvings and all other types of crafts.
When I look at paintings I study the values that they use and how they interpret light. This helps me see things a different way when I am drawing. I don’t use color in my drawings but I can still learn from art that is created with color. The world is filled with color. I am just trying to create what I see using grayscale.
I love looking at wood burnings to see how the grayscale reacts to the wood. There are some amazing wood burning artists around.
You can see that there are many ways to get inspired at craft shows. You will also be supporting your fellow artists.
What craft shows do you enjoy going to in your area?
Conclusion:
There will be times when you will find it difficult to stay motivated.
Find different ways to keep your creative spark burning.
You might also be interested in:
- 4 Reasons Art Blogs Generate Thousands of Views a Month
- Be More Productive on Your Art Blog by Reducing Time on Social Media
- How My Blog on Art Marketing Reached 25,000 Monthly Views
- Helpful Tips for Photographing Your Artwork That Work
- Featured Artist of The Month Richard Macwee
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