Art Markets, Here I Come!

It’s official. I’m out and about in Columbia, South Carolina.

Throughout the past month, I’ve been applying to every art thing imaginable. Open calls for artwork, gallery exhibition proposals, artist residencies, and yes, art markets.

A week ago I received an overwhelmingly positive response, particularly from art markets. And so all throughout May, June, July, and August, I’ll be showing off my paintings and prints in downtown Columbia and nearby counties.

It has been.. A learning experience for sure. 

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When I was 16, I did art markets in downtown Ocala, FL, though something feels different now. I remember being a kid, standing beside my paintings and drawings, and patrons would pass by. They would ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” They would ask me about prospective colleges, future plans, and where art fits into it. 

​I would hold up my chin, and say with gusto: I’m going to make art my career. Other’s do it, and if I don’t, someone else will take my space. So I have to make sure it’s me.

But plans easily and quickly change when responsibilities set in. I’m a rational-minded person, and at every step, I allowed doubt to cloud my judgment. I told myself that I needed a “sensible” career, despite the constant nagging in the back of my head: I want to be an artist.

And then, my world imploded (or at least, it felt like that). I moved across the country, faced backlash and sabotage in my “sensible” career and was left to figure things out. It turns out even your safety option isn't all that safe.

So everything had to change. Back then, it felt like falling off a ledge and hoping that the water below would be warm and soft enough to break my fall.
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And it did. I'm learning to swim. Learning a new way to be alive. I believe the universe put me on this path for a reason.

I felt so unfulfilled in my previous career. I felt needed and important, but I didn’t feel happy. I felt constant friction between what my soul wanted and what my mind wanted. My mind wanted safety. My soul wanted purpose.

And so here I am, just over 2 months post-quitting-my-job, getting ready for art markets across this foreign state. I’m still trying to feel like this is home.
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In getting ready for this art market, I got several prints ready. I have my 8x10 BREATHING prints, some postcards with affirmations on the back, and Mother’s Day cards, as this event happens two days before Mother’s Day.

I had a lot of fun creating these affirmation cards. The concept behind them is that it’s concealed in an envelope that has something you need to hear. Some encouragement or kindness. The patron picks a card (1-5) and takes the corresponding letter. I’ve always been a fan of something being “meant to be” or decided by fate, and these little cards are just one little way to have fate intervene and give you a little message.

There are five cards, just like the five BREATHING prints.

I also have some Mother’s Day Cards. I am just in love with how beautiful these cards are. I had a blast creating them, and I’ll definitely be making more in the future.

I also have a clothes line where I hang up original artwork for purchase, though I expect much of the foot traffic will have the budget more in line with prints and little postcards.

Soon, I’ll be sharing on Instagram the full set up. For now, I’ll start ordering some more last minute prints to add to the table.

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I usually save painting for the end of the day, though I’m feeling the itch to create now.

We’ll chat again soon.

With love,

Jen Carmiel