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[merimask]

Grrr...

Well, life can be rough sometimes.  Buying trends change, expendable income for the middle class can dry up, demographics shift.  I exist as a self-sustaining artist at the whim of the buying public...and my market is dry like the Sahara.

So, what to do...what to do.

Go where the money is, I suppose.  Yet, I can't do that because...it's just ridiculous to pack up my stuff and trudge across country like a modern day peddler with my wares strapped onto my back.  So, I'm doing a version of that by calling well known high-end mask retail galleries & gift shops in tourist spots all over the country.  I've sent out two information packets in the last two days (one to an awesome-sounding gallery called "Rumors" in New Orleans...I guess they're the best-known & biggest mask retail gallery in the region) with another one in the works for tomorrow.

I looked online & found a maskmaker in Key West (he was the official mask provider for Fantasy Fest for several years in a row)...HIS gallery has closed (because, he says, he's sick of dealing with the public.  I guess that's endemic to maskmakers everywhere.  ;-)  ), but he was very sweet and gave me a lead and a name for the buyer at a major art-object (& especially masks) gallery in Key West.   I'm calling later today, so wish me luck.

I HATE doing this stuff.  Hate hate hate.  I am just not as naturally good with people as my brother is...this crap scares the hell out of me.  And yet...I guess it has to be done.  As much as I hate this, if I want to keep making these masks for a living I HAVE to do it, because there's just no alternative.  I love making masks.  It's my life and I can't imagine any other.  But I can't afford to just make them for the sake of making them...I'm not rich like that.   John says "Unseen, untold...unsold", and that's where I am right now.  The best freaking maskmaker that's not selling masks.  :-(

Fortunately  my quality of work, lack of greed, and realism are just what the buyers are looking for.   I also have experience selling to retailers already, which helps me put together a pretty package for presentation.  Also, thank you Cirque for buying that mask!  I can't say enough about how that turns people's heads.  When I name-drop that account (and I do.  Shamelessly.  Like a whore) you can actually hear the tone of the buyer/gallery owner's voice change right over the phone.  It's a beautiful thing.

If ANY of you out there know of a store or gallery (in a tourist or high-traffic area...I need to go where art is selling) that specializes in masks and gifts of a handmade, artsy nature...drop me a bit of contact info in your reply to this & I'll be sure to check them out.   My stuff could be coming to a shop near you!

I bought a thick sheaf of high-quality matte photo paper and re-stocked my ink.  I'm going to keep mailing until all of that paper is gone.

Comments

[merimask.livejournal.com]

:-( I totally understand & respect the "Can Con" (Canadian Content) laws up there. Frankly, I LOVE Canadian music for just that reason...it's unique & has a freshness & freedom from corporate influence that makes it special in North America.

I just wish I could be considered an "honerary Canadian", 'cause I REALLY love it up there & I KNOW Toronto would love me right back if it could.

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

So the problem is finding a permanent place (gallery, etc) that would display your stuff, right? Because I know Americans can sell stuff here. But it'd probably be impossible to get into any but a specialty gallery or boutique as they do tend to showcase Canadian work in such places. But there would be nothing to stop you from having a stall at a market or anything like that. Toronto area has at least one Ren and a few other events, too.