drawn by an attendee of art in the alley

Friday July 6 was a record-breaking day of hot hot heat. I mowed lawns all day in 110º weather and was tired, but I packed up my car with all the art that would fit in it for another g-round at Art in the Alley. I wasn’t expecting much traffic because of the July 4th holiday and because of the heat. I was right.

Maybe about 50 people or so walked through the alley that warm evening. All of them enjoyed what they saw, and many commented that they liked the experience of being a part of the appropriation of public space for art. I had some great conversations and met some cool people. I managed to sell three pieces, and one was even a fluke.

The fluke was that, for the alley shows, I always have some pieces that are matted but unframed which I give away for free. Think loss leaders in grocery stores. Right. So the free pieces are always older works, works that I may or may not have displayed publicly before, but I want to share them get rid of them to make room for newer works, or just because I’m tired of looking at them. So, one woman was walking up and down the alley, looking at my art. She told me that she liked it and that she didn’t think she could afford any of it. I told her I could give her a deal on something (no prices were listed for any of the pieces), and she said no, she didn’t think she could. So then I tell her that she can take a free piece. She tells me, no, she couldn’t dare take a piece for free and asks, “Will you take $35 for it?” I smile and say, Sure.

But the heat took its toll on people. On Monday I was told by at least two people that they were sorry they didn’t make it, but it was just too darn hot. The rest of the night found me selling a piece from the series, the piece pictured below, and getting invited to display at a boutique in town by that store’s owner. Not a bad night all around.

To those that made it out, thanks for coming. To those that missed it, I understand, and hope to see you in August at the opeing over at CTA Architects.