“The fish from these waters contain mercury and may be harmful to eat, especially for women and children”. The impact of the words, placed front and center, are in contrast to the peacefulness of the lake in the background.

Walking along the boardwalk, I noticed a buried snow fence, deep in the dunes. (Such fencing helps stabilize the dunes). Fortunately, the shadows from the western sun didn’t yet bath the entire front of the dune in darkness.

And then there was the view of Shafer Canyon Overlook on our way out of the park. Nearing the overlook parking area, almost as if on que, the late afternoon rays of sunshine pierced through the clouds and danced across the colorful striated canyon walls.

This great stand of red pines stood straight to the sky, inviting me over to enjoy their forest-floor carpet of heavy pine needles. Each tree was as stately as the next.

Setting up and tearing down at art fairs can be a hectic time. During each phase, there are many trips back and forth to the car.

Perhaps the easiest way to look at any product, presentation or demonstration is not from the provider’s eye, but rather from that of the customer. If you are the person who put together an elaborate presentation, it’s easy to miss its complexity.

Have you ever visited an art fair and witnessed artists holding their tents down during high winds? Where they able to maintain their conversation with you? Was the conversation about their art, or the weather?

Setting up and taking down the canopy, panels and inventory for an art fair, I’ve learned to do so casually with a purpose. Every artist I’ve met has a system and each knows about how long their process takes.

Are you considering selling your art in art fairs? Congratulations. You may have one nagging question: “How do I get started in art fairs?”