Kendall Boggs Fine Arts and Crafts: September 2019

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Selling Your Own Art

Can be terrifying.

A little like singing in front of an audience.

Or modeling.

Doing anything that puts you ''out there'' is hard.

And there are LOTS of painters that simply will not do it.

For me, it is super important to sell my own art.

I absolutely love it.

I get to meet new people, help them with their design, understand the emotion the painting draws.

but....

I'm not going to lie, it can be scary.

When people walk through your space they are not always quiet about their comments.

I've heard....

"I could paint that! I'll take a picture"

(that's a pretty infuriating one)

"Did you see the price on that?" OMG

"I wonder if so and so could paint that for me I know she wouldn't charge that much?"

"I bet that didn't take long to paint, and she's charging THAT for that?"

(then they ask how long it takes to paint a painting)

see the Angry Bird at the top? That was not intentional😂

I'll use this painting as an example.

While it may look like a hot mess to some, it was SO incredibly difficult to paint.

How many times do you see an abstract and think "I could paint that"?

I always say, try it! Because chances are it's A LOT more difficult than you think.

Then there's the deciding factor.

Sometimes I work with people for hours trying to make a decision.

But I get it! Buying original art is a huge decision and not one to take lightly!

I have a beautiful favorite friend who could probably buy what ever type of art she wants for her home.

She chooses to only buy art from people that she has met (and likes)

I LOVE THIS!!

She says that she thinks of the artist when she walks into her rooms and it makes her happy!

As I've gotten to be 60, I've adopted her concept. But, I've taken it to a different level. The ONLY stuff I buy is from people that I like. If they don't impress me with a positive attitude then it's a no go. Speaking of positive attitude my friend and AMAZING painter Mary Gregory shows near me at The Arbors.

her structures are SO good!

To say I'm impressed by her is an understatement.

Y'all, not only is she a wonderful painter, she is also a wonderfully sweet human, and an amazing business woman!

https://marygregorystudio.com

I love listening to her instastories.

SO calming with her beautiful southern voice.

My darling friend Salley and I were talking about her the other day because Mary also offers an online art class. Salley is taking her course and I'm blown away at what Salley has painted!!! SO good!

https://jeanneoliver.com/courses/shelters-painting-places-that-house-our-hearts/

Back to selling your own art.

You must have thick skin. Period.

It's not easy but it is SO incredibly gratifying and personally good for my soul.

I love that a piece of me can be hung in someone's home that I don't really know! I hope the piece will bring joy and beauty into their life!

That is why I sell my own art.

Have a terrific day y'all!

xoxoxoxo

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

What it Takes to "do" Roundtop!

Lisa and I get asked this ALL THE TIME!

First it starts out as

"OH, I want to show at Roundtop"!

"What's it like?"

"What does it take?"

"How much does it cost?"

Well.

I'm not going to sugar coat this for anyone interested in showing their art or anything else at a show like this.

it's. hard.

it's. hot.

it's. exhausting.

it's. uncomfortable at times.

But....it's also THE MOST FUN YOU'LL EVER HAVE!

and you will meet the greatest new friends!

Randolf Duke "The House of Halston" and most fun person ever.

talk about some fun chicks! One of our karaoke nights. One of many.

my new BFF

We met these two at the Mexican restaurant and they became clients!

They are from LA

When in Texas, you become a Texan.

Lisa and Tom - have I mentioned that Texas has THE best margaritas?

They are also THE STRONGEST.

dog lover

a lot of really well known designers in one of Pandora's beds.

Now, here is how it goes.

First, you have to find a venue that fits you.

There are 100s of venues. The best thing to do is go to the spring or fall show and look at all the spaces. Roundtop is a town of 90 that turns into something like 250,000 during the shows.

And, every season a new venue pops up.

And, they have to accept you. You have to be the right fit.

Many venues only want x amount of art, x amount of furniture.

They are however always looking for the newest, greatest, unique things.

So, if you've designed or created something new and great - give me a shout and I can help you.

kbdr@aol.com

Second, you have to be resilient.

Our first season out there we were SO green.

Like as in 50 shades of green.

We had no clue what we were getting in to. All we knew is we had a place to stay and a great venue with a completely empty space.

Three artists went out there together. I think we drove like 16 hours or so because of all the potty breaks. And we got lost a couple of times.

Now it is just Lisa and me.

We really make a terrific team.

And that is really important. We each have our roles that we play. Lisa is in charge of transportation and booth logistics, and I am in charge of RV stuff and making coffee😍

One of us is ALWAYS in our booth which is really important. We help each other out.

We are there from 9 - 6 every day. For 10 days straight.

With 2 days of traveling and 4 days of set up, that makes 16 days straight of work. We do get to get out and about some to shop and eat!

Third, you have to be prepared to make nothing.

This is an expensive show.

Really expensive.

Like I could be going to Europe for a couple of weeks expensive.

You must go in to a show like this prepared to either lose money or at the very least, break even.

Do not count on leaving rich.

Our first show out there turned out to be one of my best and I'm super blessed that I have established a clientele. But, it doesn't always work like that. There are many vendors who don't have great shows for one reason or another and don't come back.

Fourth, the set up.

Y'all. It is absolutely grueling.

And I'm serious.

We get there 4 days early.

Walls have to be built and covered with fabric, lights have to be hung, fans installed, tables for items set up, then finally art has to be hung.

Booth has to be all fluffed up.

All of this is done usually when it's over 100 degrees.

We show under a tent that is floored and have to rely on fans to be half way comfortable.

This was our first season. Our walls looked HORRIBLE and we decided to paint them....115 degrees heat index.

I just don't know what we were thinking because covering them with drop cloths is SO much easier and it looks SO much better!

🤪😳

Now our space looks like this:

Better huh?

Tearing everything down is MUCH easier and is done in an afternoon. We then have an exhausting celebratory dinner.

Then we head home, unload, and crash for a month.

Now, let's back up a bit.

For the entire month before this show I go into high gear.

Super high.

I usually do 5 to 7 shows a year and Roundtop is the most difficult by far to prepare for.

I have to prepare for A LOT of inventory. This season I am bringing 35 canvases, 18 pieces under glass, 14 acrylic standoff pieces, about 100 of my 38.00 minis, and my jewelry line CHUNK. All of that has to be wrapped and protected for travel.

Along with that we have the stuff for set up. All the tools, drop cloths, ladders, chairs. Then clothes (usually have to change 2x a day), bedding, cooler, etc. etc. etc.

So basically, that is one rough month.

I paint full time so I try to spread my time out as best I can.

I also frame all of my work myself.

As a self diagnosed OCD person with ADD, I have trained myself to stay focused for days once I get started.

It's the getting started part that's hard. It's just simply overwhelming.

Really, I like to play and enjoy my grandkids and travel so I basically only work part time. It just feels like full time.

Have I left you wanting to show at Roundtop or not?

Again, whether you show there or just go, it is truly THE MOST FUN YOU WILL EVER HAVE!

Have a terrific day y'all!

The Arbors at Roundtop opens in ONE week!!!!

www.thearborsroundtop.com

xxoxoxoox

Saturday, September 14, 2019

The Arbors at Roundtop....And Who's in to Black and White?

The Arbors

Roundtop

y'all. If you are going to Roundtop whether it is the first time or your 100th, The Arbors should be your first stop.

I'm not just saying that because that's where I show my art....

well maybe a little

But...truly, there is something for everyone there.

I hear the same thing every. single. season.

"this is our favorite venue"

The gorgeous white tents, the fun vendors, the huge array of furnishings, fabrics, textiles, linens, antiques, clothing.

ART

Did I mention ART????

like in Tent D

sorry, a little self promo here.

See that middle tent right in the front? That is Pandora's tent.

www.pandoradebalthazar.com

And it's air conditioned.

And when you go in, they prop you in THE most comfortable bed you will ever slip in to in your life.

Then they sell you sheets.

Like really nice ones.

Tent D is directly in back of the big one in the front.

That is where Lisa Moore and I set up.

Right there in the middle

(next to the bar)

Where they sell Ranch Water.

What is Ranch Water?

you pop a Topo Chico, take a swig, then they add oh vodka, tequila, rum, and a splash of what eva you want.

All the cool girls walk around with them

and I'm cool so you will see me drinking one.

Back to The Arbors....

ok.

This year, The Arbors is hosting a SPECTACULAR event!

y'all!

I'M SO EXCITED

(it's right outside my booth space to boot)

It's called

Arbors Under The Stars

a dinner like no other with some amazing designers hosting....

and

lots of food by the incredible chefs Lee Ellis and Mike Torres of Gold Epicure

AND, if that's not enough, OVID Vineyards (yummy) and Signor Vineyards are providing the wine.

This is going to be something else.

I promise you, you will not want to miss it!

and, you will LOVE meeting my friend Verona.

Who has THE MOST AMAZING quartz pieces ever.

www.veronaprive.com

Buy tickets here:

https://thearborsroundtop.com/arbors-under-the-stars-dining-with-the-designers/

So. Let's get back to stuff.

Like art.

As an ex-designer - turned painter, I am constantly tracking the trends.

Black and white will always be a classic look but with the re-emergence of modernism in design it seems to be more prevalent now than in recent years.

Classic.

Especially paired with gold.

So....I'm bringing black and white for my black and white (and gold people)

Pardon that awful glare - geez, must. learn. to. take. photos. of. art.

speaking of black and white, I love this carpet that my cute grandson is standing on after getting his new "Natives". Cutest, shoes, ever.

Grandson ain't bad either huh???

I had to throw this black painting in to the mix.

While this may look like a pretty easy painting to paint, it's SO difficult getting that ombre' effect just right.

Kinda like doing hair.

(something I could never do)

36 x 48

price upon request

I will also have these two babies, pressed between two pieces of glass makes for a fab look!

Simple. understated. elegance.

price upon request

Check out this gorgeous vintage Moroccan Beni Ourain rug from my friend Victoria's collection.

www.antevasins.com

(she's also in tent D)

Lisa will have some of her AMAZING black and white ladies dressed in gold frames...

yummy.

Speaking of black and white art (on men that is) I love this jacket

splashed with a bit of grey....

by Tom Ford

https://www.neimanmarcus.com

Not that either of these two need fashion advice from moi....

but I definitely think one of them need this jacket.

you never know who you'll run in to at Roundtop

Later chicks!

xoxoxo

Friday, September 13, 2019

An Explosion of Emerald Green

Watch out folks.....

Emerald green is about to explode on you like an atomic bomb.

_________

And I could not be happier!

I love EVERYTHING green.

Plants, pillows, couches, shoes, clothes

MONEY...

But seriously, doesn't green just make you happier?

Green is life! Like a rebirth of plants after a dreary winter.

I've painted A LOT of green lately.

Like a whole lot.

Probably cause I'm "green" with envy that my sister is in Prague right now.

Hint...Sister...go to the Hermes store and buy me this:

haha, j/k

sorta

Back to my obsession with green....I always have been.

Maybe I'm really Irish.

this sofa needs some of my art over it....I have the perfect set.

Spectacular choice don't you think?

Or this, somewhere in that room. This one is sold but I have another that I'm working on that is even better!!!

YUMMY.

Every season someone comes back looking for this painting so I decided to paint a few more similar.

hint: when you see an original piece of art that you love, you better pull the trigger because chances are it won't be there when you come back.

TRUST ME ON THIS.

These shoes are just a tad over the top, but really, doesn't everyone like statement shoes?

🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

These are more my style though.

Green converse for the win.

Everyone needs a fiddle leaf fig in their house.

everyone.

I am currently on the hunt for an emerald green leather jacket this year.

If any one sees one they love please let me know.

oops. that's fur. My bad.

this makes me want to write a letter.

....and get a wax stamp. In gold of course.

hey! I've got some more green pieces!

Here we go y'all!

25 x 25 each Acrylic ink on paper

Price upon request

Check out one of Lisa's new pieces!!!!

😍😍😍

www.lmoorefineart.com

While we are at it.....let's look at my new

"green" packing system that Lisa and I came up with.

Well, really just Lisa but I adopted it.

Check this out, even a green book! This is THE BEST STUFF EVER!

It comes in a lot of sizes to fit your needs. I personally use this to wrap my glass pieces and you can reuse it for the win.

NO MORE single use plastic!!!!

It is called Cohesive corrugated wrap.

It's the best thing I've ever used.

www.uline.com

Y'all have a terrific Friyay!

(I know, I hate it when people say that too)

xoxoxxoxxo

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

New Art Especially for Roundtop!

I've been putting in some MAJOR hours!

Here is how it goes.....

Schedule

2 weeks out I start framing. And then more framing...and then more framing.

I am taking 14 of my acrylic inks framed in my 18 x 24 acrylic stand off frames.

I have them cut to size, I drill the holes, I center the art and raise the pieces, install the spacers, drill the back holes and add the zip tie.

Tired yet?

Cause I am.

example of one of 14 pieces

Then....

I have framed 14 acrylic ink abstracts in a beautiful gold frame.

These sell so well as sets.

Many will put 3 stacked on either side of a china cabinet (for a total of 6), or 6 above a buffet. 2 stacked above an occasional chest, 1 above a towel rack in a powder room. 3 stacked in between two door frames (you know where you just need that extra little detail) or maybe 2 or three above a king bed. It is truly a terrific look and I am SO very proud of this art. It is inspired simply by nature, nothing else.

excuse my feet....

I will also be bringing 4 20 x 20 pieces that will have smaller openings and larger mats. (very cool look) in cooler colors (think beach)

Along with that, I will have MANY minis for those needing the perfect 38.00 gifties! These will come packaged with a beautiful ribbon ready to give. People usually stock up for Christmas with these goodies. Come early because these typically sell out pretty fast. I plan to have around 100 of them. Discounts for 10 or more will apply😉!