Final touches and at the show

• Don’t forget business cards – handmade ones are great if you don’t want to get them printed. Make sure your email address, website, social media and phone number are visible.
• Have an A4 page with your bio and a good large photo attached to your panel. Buyers want to be able to recognise you. Your bio should be 200 or so words with your artistic background, any previous exhibitions and your thoughts and feelings about your work. If you are giving a % of your sales to a charity make sure this is also prominently displayed.
• A nice idea is to have a book where people can write their comments. Get a friend to scribble something before the exhibition so that the first page is not blank – people are less likely to write on a blank page.
• To talk or not to talk to browsers – there is a balance between pouncing immediately and giving a “hard sell” and studiously taking no notice of people. I usually catch their eye, smile and say hello after a couple of minutes and if they are still there after 3 or 4 ask if I can answer any questions.
• Don’t forget to take some small red adhesive spots for when someone wants to buy one of your works. Usually exhibition organisers will not allow you to take down the painting and hand it over until the show is over. Note the buyer’s details and arrange pick up. Don’t pay the exhibition commission until you have the money from the buyer. (Unfortunately buyers have been known to change their minds).

After the show

• Keep details of all paintings sold with price, photo for reference and buyer (address, email + phone – don’t forget to add the buyer to your mailing list for the next exhibition)
• Remove labels and patafix
• File the price list. You should not as a rule lower the prices of your work once you have set them. Previous buyers won't feel good if they find out.
• Store the paintings in a clean cool DRY place. I usually remove paintings from the frames and store them flat (don’t remove them from the mat)