According to Wikipedia,
Carny or carnie is a slang term used in North America and, along with showie, in Australia for a carnival (funfair) employee, as well as the language they employ. A "carny" is anyone who runs a "joint" (booth), "grab joint" (food stand), game, or ride at a carnival, boardwalk or amusement park.
Hence this is half my inspiration for this blog title. The other of course, is simply a play on words of the incomparable Art Carney, early vaudevillean and later well known in The Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason.
But to get to the point, this blog's focus is the life of the art show artist. No, we are not underhanded sneaky cheats mentioned above in the Wikipedia citation (at least most of us but more on that later). But like carnival workers, those working their booths, we travel from show to show and hawk our wares. We hope that people will love our work enough to want to bring it home and make it part of their daily lives, that it will speak to them on some deeper level that becomes more important than the money they will hand over to have it. Or, less sentimental, perhaps they need something above that new leather sofa.
In any event, the lifestyle is undoubtedly interesting, if not always joyful. It is after all very hard work. The art show goer will see the artist or maker sitting in her chair with that blissful half smile and think Oh what a great life. They do not see all the hard work getting ready, the driving, the set-up, the tear-down, the rainstorms, and worse. They do not get to hear and see all the patrons walking through, their questions, comments, observations, even insults. That's what this blog is for. Show reviews and information will be found here as well.
Well, I am heading off to the wonderful Kentuck festival in Northport, Alabama. My life partner, a painter, will be set up there. I did not get into this show, this is the first time we will be there. Because I am not selling I am hoping I will be free to make all the observations and comments possible to share you anyone who finds this blog. Carry on, and make it work.
The life of the art festival artist/maker. On the road, in the studio, at the show. Choosing shows. Getting into the show. Trying to sell at the show. All of that and more!
