The Shadow Art Fair is a little over a day away now, and we’re beginning to feel the strain of the home-stretch. Jennifer and I did an interview on WCBN tonight, and, unless they were lying to me, a piece is supposed to run twice on WEMU tomorrow. (The WEMU interview sucked. The WCBN interview went pretty well, at least up until I insinuated that the interviewer was trying to seduce us.) The posters are all up. The buzz is getting deafening, and those of us in charge are getting a little panicy. We all want things to go well, and we’re all smart enough to know that there’s a very real possibility that they won’t. The big fear, though, at least my big fear, is that I’ll be too busy doing administrative stuff to sit at my table, sell my stuff and enjoy my beer.
Speaking of the administrative stuff, I’ve been so busy trying to get things done (between this and the mayoral debate) that I haven’t really had the time to work on anything new to sell. Linette and I collected my comics into a booklet (which I plan to sell here on the site as well), and we made some more “Ypsipanties,” but that’s about it. The bitter, angry part of me (which was last estimated to be about 63% of me by weight) is pissed that we’ve done all of this promotion and that, because of it, I haven’t had the time to create any new items to sell.
Fucking Catch 22s.
OK, that’s all I have time for tonight. If you’re in the area on Saturday, stop by my table and buy something from me out of pitty.
20 Comments
(The poster shown was designed by Linette and printed by VG Kids.)
Find a way to bottle your anger and sell it. I’m guessing I’m not the only one who’d pay a pretty penny for a little Passion de Maynard.
And, while you’re at it, why not sell little (or big) vials of semen for the young ladies who want little Clementine’s of their own.
“Make Your Own Maynard” kits!
Buy something out of “pitty?” Is that anything like playdoh?
here’s me the optimist (also exhausted from prepping until late late every night lately, and wondering when i’ll finally have time to clean my bathroom & pay my bills)– this art fair is one day– and it will be a long, fun, and exhausting day… but really, it’s ONE day, and what ALL the work has done is potentially created the beginning of something big, and long-term and real community change– like a whole series of art fairs that ypsi becomes as known for as it is for elvisfest… or hey, even a downtown mich ave filled with galleries and crafter stores and more… and then imagine more cool artists– you included– who might have the opportunity to make a living out of their love & creativity and not have to have other day jobs… so hoorah to you and jennifer and everyone else working their rear ends off for this. and, thanks in a great big way. people don’t say that enough.
I second Amanda’s thanks in a big way! Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow and drinking much beer.
Maybe I’m being over-critical, but why would someone go to the Ugly Mug and order a pizza delivery?
It took me quite a while to get that, Brett. Thanks for helping to keep my mind sharp.
As for the nice comments, they’re appreciated, but I think they might be a bit premature. Let’s hold off and see how it actually goes though. There’s still the possibility that it could go horribly wrong.
mark, are those “ypsi” signs silkscreened on brownpaper grocery bags? damn, that’s swift. i’d really like to have a few of my own after the shadow art fair is over… if i pay for postage, would you, could you, carefully roll a few and mail them to my home address? i’ve been collecting handmade-printed on “paper” signs for years, and would love to add yours to my downstairs hallway. that would be swell…
Thank you for the cultural experience. Our photo set is up at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62864816@N00/sets/72157594200467613/
What can I say? Wow. Just wow. What a day!
Big thanks and congratulations to you and everyone involved in organising it all. I’m still buzzing from it all, and have a huge swell of old-fashioned pride for Ypsi DIY and all who sail in her. An absolutely brilliant day, Mark – bravo!
I wouldn’t mind some “Fucking Catch 22s” panties, like the Ypsipanties . . . next year?!
mark, you and EVERYONE who put it on and participated rocked. i almost shed some ypsi-proud tears… and thanks for the awesome table spot– next year i volunteer to be in the corner “sun on my neck making me sweat all day” spot to make up for how great a spot i had this year… so big thanks to all y’all, and big thanks to everyone who came and bought my stuff and everyone else’s!
i know the event’s over, but would james make up some shirts with the poster image on them– they sure rock and i bet lots of folks would buy them…
Second the request for shirts!
Shadow Art Fair was teh awesomenest. Way to go, Mark, et al.
Nice goin mark, there were a ton of people there.
It sounds like a success! I hope next time you can offer more Maynard products. I wanted to send you prototypes of the Ypsilantern and the Whipsilanti, but i’ve been so busy here.
I third the request for shirts! They’d make fine gifts for non-Ypsi residents too.
shirts… and silkscreened posters on brownpaper grocery bags.
We’re still thinking about shirts and stuff. We might do something… Stay posted.
And thanks for all the kind words. It’s nice to know that the hard work of the Michigan Design Militia is appreciated.