BOMH Presidents Letter – Nancy Koehler

March 2018

Here we are. We made it through another winter. Spring is pushing it’s assertive way into our world. Most of us love spring. But like all good things, it has things about it that suck. I mean literally! Step out in a field after spring rains and you could lose your shoes. I bet some of our rural members know what I am talking about.

 It is also that season when shows begin. This last weekend I spent time at the Artist Boutique Show in Kirkwood, Missouri. It was a nice show with many BOMH artists. I am not really doing shows any more so I can wander around and meet friends and chat with members I have not had a chance to meet before. It was great.

 It got me thinking about the ups and downs of the art fair life. This time of year artists get those dreaded letters saying we are not invited to a show. It can be a serious blow to our self esteem. I remember well. Over time I began to toughen up and recognize that it may have nothing to do with me and my application. Sometimes it is our work, sometimes something else.

 On the other hand, we get the acceptance letter and we are jubilant. Then we have to get to work to make our best work to show at the event and all the others we have lined up. As an artist we wear many hats. We make the art, we put on our administrative assistant hat and do all the book work, taxes, show applying, banking, mailing, etc. We are the marketing director, if we do art fairs, we are the tent crew, then we are the salespeople at the show. Most people have no idea what we do. Some days it feels like we stepped in mud and lost our shoes. Other days it feels like we are on top of the world. The life of the artist.

 As the artist makes their work to exhibit or sell at shows, it is important to always remember how important authenticity and honesty is. It isn’t always easy to make it all or take all the photos yourself. It is imperative to hang tight to your standards and only offer your own work under your name. It is rare that artists, real artists, do otherwise. Our reputations are worth too much.

 As Best of Missouri Hands artists we have a special standard to uphold. I have heard this more than once when I was in my tent at a show and a couple of folks walk by, one says, “what does Best of Missouri Hands Juried artist mean? The friend says, it means it is good stuff, go in.” Another good reason for becoming a Juried artist.

Thanks for working so hard and making your beautiful art. Thanks for helping each other and caring so darn much. Best of Missouri Hands is a group of artists that on the whole are very interested in succeeding themselves and being able to reach out to help another artist to succeed too. I am very proud to be part of this awesome organization.

Nancy Koehler