Commonly Asked Questions
My husband went with me for a full art show for the first time in 12 years this past weekend. It’s not that he hasn’t supported me or anything like that. He has helped me set up the booth and tear down the booth countless times. He has brought the kids up on Saturdays when the show was close enough to come visit. He helps me load up at home before I head out, and he is the first one to greet me at the door when i come dragging back home late Sunday nights. Not to mention he literally supports me in every other way possible! But, he has never stayed the entire weekend and spent every hour at the show until recently in Nashville, TN.
He got kinda bored on the second day, when there was virtually no one walking around and it was super hot outside. So he got up in the tent and started just being kinda stupid (his specialty haha!) and parroting some of the questions and comments we had heard all weekend long. It was a funny video, but then it gave me the idea to actually talk about why it was funny, and what wasn’t funny about it.
When people come in my booth they usually have several questions and comments about my work. After an entire weekend you realize most people have the same questions and comments. And I am totally cool with that, because it is what comes to our minds first. I honestly just love it that a complete stranger is interested enough in my work to bother making any comments, much less asking any questions!
If you have ever been to see me at a show, then you know I have a “touch me sample”, a painting specifically made for people to touch, since I ask them not to touch the paintings that are for sale. This originally was made so I would have a way to redirect kids and adults who were touching the paintings despite the numerous “please don’t touch the paintings” signs. Now I can direct them to the one they can get their hands all over and explore to their hearts content. As a bonus, I’ve noticed it opens up the opportunity for discussion.
The first question as they are touching the paint is usually “What is this made of?” And then I have the chance to discuss that with them. Then they may realize how thick it is and ask about the drying time. Somewhere along the way they may recognize some of the shapes and textures as typically being used in cake decorating. Hence the “this makes me want to lick it” comment.
Even though it may seem super repetitive, or like it might get on your nerves after awhile, it really never does! I love the chance to discuss my paintings and I think the more someone understands about my process — the hours, care and work that go into each piece — the more they will be able to appreciate them and hopefully, love them.
So here are some of the most commonly asked questions/statements and the answers:
What is it? It is all acrylic paint and acrylic mediums. There is no plaster, or clay or anything else under it or mixed in.
It looks like cake frosting! Yes it does! I use cake decorating tools and I pipe some of my textures using piping tips and bags. That combined with the colors and it really does look like icing.
How do you get it to stay this way? I think when people hear “acrylic paint” they, rightfully so, think of the acrylic paint they have used before, which is really runny and thin. Unless you are an artist yourself, you wouldn’t know acrylic paint comes in many forms, an extra heavy is one of them. So the thick paint to start with, combined with the other acrylic mediums makes the paint i am putting on the canvas very thick. So however I style it, or manipulate it, it will stay that way until dry.
How long does it take to dry? I generally takes about 2-3 weeks to fully dry the thicker sections of paint.
So next time you see me, or any other artist out at a show, please don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation and ask whatever questions spring to your mind! I know it makes my day so much more enjoyable to be able to talk to each of you.