People sometimes need help turning their attention to where you want it.
As bold and colorful as my paintings are, folks still tried to walk by without looking. I say 'try' because I didn't let them go so easily. I'd spot someone walking intently to someplace beyond my display. I don't know what they saw, or why they saw past me. But I wasn't going to take it! I'd step casually out from under the canopy and say "Good Morning!" or "Hi!" With only a few exceptions, the would-be-passersby stopped to say hello, and noticed my art behind me. "Oh! These are nice!" Then we'd talk about the locations depicted in the landscapes, the imagination of the fantasy, and the meaning of the allegorical.
A few months ago, I was working the door at West End Community Arts Network (WeCan!) fundraiser. The fundraiser was a poetry reading, with some musical interludes. It was my job to hand out information about WeCan, and ask for donations. I positioned myself behind a table at the door. On the table in front of me were two boxes. One was full of chocolates and the other had a few dollars in it (I had put the cash in, so the intent of the box would not be mistaken). When someone walked in, they almost missed me. But I said "Hi!" and asked the good folks if they'd like a chocolate. That got their attention! They were good chocolates, too. Lindor's Truffles! They looked down at the delicious box, and saw the money box.
Whether they refused a chocolate or took one, I handed them a brochure explaining WeCan's mission. Then the donation box started filling up. I didn't ask for any money.
So don't let people walk by! Do something to get them to slow down and take a look. Get them to talk, laugh, connect, and maybe they'll buy!
...Or maybe they won't!
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