Although getting here wasn't all that easy, I am proud to be showing at multiple local art fairs throughout the Phoenix valley this winter.
As a newer artist in the craft fair world, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I applied for various art fairs and shows around the valley. Before researching how to apply, I didn’t realize that a “booth shot” was mandatory. A booth shot is a picture of your artist booth all set-up at an art fair.
This is easy enough, for an artist who has actually shown at an art fair.
For me, it meant purchasing all the materials (10 by 10 foot canopy tent, temporary walls and hangars) and carting them along with all my paintings to my sister’s house to set up the booth. In the heat, we assembled the tent and walls and hung each of the paintings. My wife then took a few photos and we then tore it all down. I’m not going to lie, this was a lot of work for just a few snapshots of a booth I wasn’t even sure would make it into art shows.
Luckily, our hard work paid off.
I feel so blessed and excited to announce that I have officially been accepted to show and sell my artwork at ArtFest of Scottsdale, Tempe Festival of the Arts, Phoenix Festival of the Arts, and the Fountain Hills Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts.
My first showing will be at the Fountain Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts in Fountain Hills, Arizona during the second weekend in November. The festival is one of the largest in the Southwest, proudly hosting about 500 artisans and craftspeople from all over the world. At this festival, one can expect to see beautiful works of art in a wide range of mediums including sculpture, drawing, pottery, jewelry, crafts, and of course my personal favorite: paintings. On top of the artwork, the festival also boasts delicious food from local restaurants as well as a tasty beer garden and live musical entertainment. The festival will be held in Downtown Fountain Hills Friday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm on November 9-11, 2018. This is a rain or shine event, so come out and visit us, regardless of the weather!
The Fountain Hills Festival website states, “all applications going through a jurying process where only the top artists in each category are accepted”.
I feel so humbled and honored to be accepted and recognized as one of these “top artists” in the category of acrylic paintings. At this show, I will be displaying multiple works of original acrylic on canvas paintings, as well as prints and a few accessories.
The show pieces will mostly be comprised of works from my newest series titled, “She”. The series was inspired last year by the #MeToo movement, and has since evolved into a living, breathing one-woman movement of it’s own. This series explores the strength, resilience, persistence, and incredible power women and girls hold. The series implores viewers to look at women beneath their skin and beyond their “beauty” and see them as the incredibly powerful, strong and impenetrable beings they are.
A few artworks from other series will be available for sale as well, including some pieces created especially for the LGBTQ community.
On top of selling original artworks and prints, I will also be offering special discounts for those who decide to commission a custom portrait from me while at the show. To complete custom commission portraits, I use your favorite photos as inspiration to create a modern and stunning new work of art. This specialty pricing will only be available to those who attend the Fountain Hills Festival and book a commission during the fair dates. I can’t wait to give you more details on this special pricing as the fair date gets closer!
You don’t need to wait until November to hire Artist Christina Carmel to create your next custom portrait. Reach out to me today - I look forward to learning more about your project and vision.
Original Paintings & Custom Portraits based in Phoenix, AZ - serving the world with love.
