The secret preparations leading up to an art fair.

All the artwork is dry; there's nothing else to worry about? If only. Read on to find out what really happens the week before an art fair.

"Stag in the frosty dawn light"

This weekend sees a brand-new Art fair at Newbury racecourse.
It is in fact my fourth art fair so far this year!
So surely I have a well oiled machine that enables me to prepare for an art fair with no stress or hassle - Well,  I am pretty organised these days so here's my insight into what I’m doing this week to get ready for the fair.

1. ​1. The artwork. Obviously! For me, as an oil painter I have to plan ahead as I have to allow enough time for the artwork to dry. That can be as little as a few weeks after completion and as much as a several months! Once the artwork is dry if I'm going to hang it unframed it's simply a case of adding some D signs and hanging cord to the back, if framed I have to get it to the framers allowing enough time for the work to be done and for me to collect it.
2. Packing the work. At art fairs you’ll see bubblewrap, felt folders, sheets, cardboard boxes,  wooden crates…all manner of what-have-you can be used to packpaintings. I use silver insulated bubble wrap. You can buy these pre-made by brilliant company called Stiffy bags or you can make your own. It's not exactly environmentally friendly the first time you use it; but you can use these bags again and again and again at so there isn't  much waste. In fact by using these bags I've reduced my plastic waste significantly​.

---

Some of the luxurious mouldings at my framers.

Work packaged in silver bags ready to load up the car.

Its great when you sell its also great when your stand neighbours are lovely, funny friendly artists. What a weekend we had!

3. Tools for the job. I need a trolley, a stepladder, drill, screwdriver, screws, spirit level, tape measure. These are just the bare minimum of items that you will need to set up your stand.

4. Prints and print racks. Most art fairs only allow limited addition fine art prints. So another important job leading unto the fair is to mount and wrap the prints so that they look super shiny and are protected when folks flick through them in the browser.

5. Labels. Oh my goodness; labels are the bane of my life. They take a disproportionate amount of time. I like to mount my labels onto foam board so that they look super professional. And this takes time. Does it really make a difference? I'm not sure, but I know I like the look of them next to my work. I like putting red dots on them too!

6. Stand box. My stand box is little Aladin's cave of extra stuff, my labels, red dots, business cards, pen, spare pen,  postcards, card reader, spare card reader, glasses, scissors, lucky gonk, blu-tak, Bach’s rescue remedy, mints, memo pad, guest book…you name it.

---

My all important stand box for all my bits and pieces

My cut out and keep stand plan!

7. Stand plan. Some folks don’t do a stand plan at all, some sketch it out, some do it on photoshop. I create mine in Mac pages, then print it out, then cut it out and stick it back to gather again! This is so that I can make adjustments and when I sell work, it's easier to plan which new piece will go on the stand. I love have a little re-arrange on Saturday morning or Sunday morning, if I’ve sold well. I use this little plan to play with with an early morning cup of coffee before heading in to the show.
​
8. Website and social media. I’ve been making sure all my new work is added to my website and that I’ve been posting pictures on facebook and instagram of what will be on my stand, ensuring a key hashtag or two.

9. Car jenga! You gotta fit in all in somehow. I have a big estate car which can pretty much do the job, (though for some bigger fairs I borrow my brother's van). But I have to be very strategic in how I load my paintings for maximum space with zero damage!

10. Look after your feet! Oh yeah I ought to think about what to wear. It's not too much of a hassle but broadly speaking  it needs to be fairly smart, but also needs to look nice with comfy shoes! On the PV night you’ll occasionally see me in heels, but definitely not for me on Saturday and Sunday when I'm on my feet all day.

So I’m nearly good to go.
Why not come and see how I get on, I’m on stand 45. See you there.

Contemporary Art fairs Newbury. Private view, by invitation only Friday 10th May,
​open all day Saturday 11th May and Sunday 12th May.
​​

"Bran" the highland cow, will be on stand 45