Great show
This is just a quick thankyou to everyone that attended the show a couple of weekends ago. With the current unsettled situation in the economic climate I would be a liar if I had thought it might not effect things, but to be honest if anything, things were better.
From the team at Enigma and some of their valued customers the overall opinion was that this was one of the better shows from recent years and it was a probable indication that things are looking up. There does on the whole seem to be a slow but steady return to traditional art as so many of our high street galleries have all but abandoned wildlife and realism in favor of contempory and sometimes pretentious styles controlled by a minority. This was apparent in the view of one collector who attended on Sunday who remarked that they could not remember the last time they walked into any high street gallery and saw something that represented the world of wildlife art. It has almost become that as wildlife art is pushed and subdued by its contempory colleagues it is becoming rare and original to see its styles of realism and detail.
Anyway I digress, if I get back to my original thoughts, I again would like to reiterate my thanks to everyone who bought, supported and attended the show on Sunday.
Thank you!
PS Anyone who saw the new two prints and liked them but wanted to think about it please be warned particularly with 'Brave new world' it was a real hit and is selling very well.
From the team at Enigma and some of their valued customers the overall opinion was that this was one of the better shows from recent years and it was a probable indication that things are looking up. There does on the whole seem to be a slow but steady return to traditional art as so many of our high street galleries have all but abandoned wildlife and realism in favor of contempory and sometimes pretentious styles controlled by a minority. This was apparent in the view of one collector who attended on Sunday who remarked that they could not remember the last time they walked into any high street gallery and saw something that represented the world of wildlife art. It has almost become that as wildlife art is pushed and subdued by its contempory colleagues it is becoming rare and original to see its styles of realism and detail.
Anyway I digress, if I get back to my original thoughts, I again would like to reiterate my thanks to everyone who bought, supported and attended the show on Sunday.
Thank you!
PS Anyone who saw the new two prints and liked them but wanted to think about it please be warned particularly with 'Brave new world' it was a real hit and is selling very well.
Cheers David,
I'm catching up a little bit on lost time during the last ten months. I've always believed that the harder you work, the luckier you'll get. That belief has never let me down from the first show we put on, all those years ago.
For anyone who fancies going into this art business, a little bit of advice for free. If you don't get the potential customers in,your exhibition will sink without trace. Never never just rely on your established customer base.You have to somehow take on new customers and introduce them to your art. You cannot keep selling to the same people.
Art is a very peculiar product. It's unlike anything else. And 'normal' procedures and protocols that apply to other 'products', generally don't apply to art.
Secondly, you MUST have a love for the art you sell. People will subconciously pick up on it. And if it's wildlife, try to build up a reasonable knowledge of some of the subject matter.
Learn from those in the trade and never be afraid to ask questions.
Try to meet as many people in the trade as you can, both artists and gallery owners.You will be surprised what you can learn and connections can prove vital. There are some wonderful people in this business and some great friends to be made. Nevertheless, remain aware at all times !
Above all be true to yourself and your customers, always. And good luck !
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Great advice. Thanks Simon. You always put in 200% into the exhibitions you arrange. They were an inspiration. I especially remember the one at The Portsmouth Marriott, when you had a guest talk from the Snow Leopard foundation. That set the bench mark I think. It was such a great location and the exhibition was well presented, and the talk just added the extra touch which everyone interested in David's drawings would appreciate.
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Thanks Vince buddy,
The Marriott exhibition was financially, the most successful for us ever. I tell you mate, alot of work went into that. You've no idea !. That year we had three factors running in our favour that proved crucial,
Two brilliant new releases from DDW, The Sumatran Tiger and The Massai Leopard portrait. Both stunning drawings, my personal favourite being the leopard. So much so that myself and a friend travelled up to London in order to bid on the drawing at Christies in Kensington. No luck !
The other factor was The International Snow Leopard Trust ( ISLT )from Seattle, being able to put on a show at our Open Day. As you say, it was a wonderful afternoon and so enjoyable.
But one of the most important factors when putting on these shows is the wonderful help we can call on from our knowledgable and close friends and our brilliant framers who put themselves out every year ! Without them, it would never happen. And despite the fact that it takes weeks of dog work and planning, our customers and friends are brilliant. They make it all worthwhile ! How they put up with me, I just don't know mate !
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