Re: Artistic Integrity and perceptions...

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: Fascinating discussion guys/gals. : I'm not far enough in my henna trade yet to participate in fairs and : such, but as for the "competition" issue: I don't think you guys are : really in competition with the rest. After all, do you really want to : henna someone who has virtually no knowledge about henna or its art, : who will have very poor intentions him/herself? For example, it was : mentioned that when you don't "wholeheartedly" henna someone, the : design or stain does not come out as well. According to the lines of : logic you've introduced so far, couldn't henna come out poorly for : someone who is just really bored and wanted a face painting, but hey : there's no one here let's go look at that wierd stuff over there. : Anyhow, I feel comparing henna art and face paint is like the age-old : apples and oranges paradigm. One is an art which sometimes requires a : bit more maturity to appreciate in the more traditional artistic : sense, while the other is commercial and "simplistic" enough for a : child to appreciate. And hey, just like buying the cheap barette: : you get what you go for. There's something to be appreciated in : everything, even "crappy" tattoes. Each has its place. : Just some stream of consciousness for y'all. . :) : : : I do. I have worked many festivals with both, : : : and I think there is a certain clientele that : : : frequents each. Obviously little kids are : : : more for face painting (allthough : : : I did have a mother once ask me if I would : : : do henna on her kids face, and I : : : refused!)......but temporary tattoos are really : : : big here in MN at the festivals. They piss : : : me off when they are at the art festivals, : : : because I figure, hey they aren't CREATING : : : art by the way, they are just licking and : : : sticking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the most party I don't : : : say much about it, but to some degree I feel : : : that they are competing with what I have to : : : offer. They are temporary, they wash off, : : : they have color.....all these advantages. But : : : the one big advantage that henna will always : : : have over temp tats, is that it it's art....a : : : miniarture artistic design designed : : : specifically for my client. : : I know how you feel. I sell jewelry and textiles at fairs and I see : : people selling absolute crap out there and making a ton of money at : : it. Sometimes I get upset because i am not selling and feel that : the : : crowd doesn't understand what I am selling, but usually at this time : : the very kind and instructive Universe sends me a person who knows : my : : stuff, knows about the Tuareg (who make my jewelry), or are curious : : and want to know more. I may not sell as many pieces as the people : : selling 3 Pokemon key chains for $5, but I sell each piece to an : : appreicative person who walks away knowing what s/he owns is unique : : and gorgeous. : : As for henna vs. temporary tattoos, my point from above is that : : quality will rise to the top. There will always be people who just : : want some trow-away type of thing, something cheap, and others who : : want something unique and lasting and beautiful. You will make your : : money and reputation off the latter group and build a clientele that : : will seek you out. And maybe one day, one of those Pokemon : key-chain : : owners will see someone somewhere with your art on their body, ask : : where they got it done, walk right past the face painters and : : temporary tattoos to sit at your booth to partake in your art. : : p.s. Once, at a street fair where i was selling, I bought a bunch of : : silly barrettes for $2 a bag at a street fair when I could have paid : : $20 for a beautiful handmade barrette...but I wanted to cheap ones : as : : a gag gift. Go figure.

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