Final preparations are underway for the American Artisan Show in Wilton, Connecticut next weekend. This show will be held at the Wilton Historical Society. I will be in the historic Fitch Kitchen and my 20-foot mural will be displayed in a hallway connecting the barn to the house. I don’t do many shows (usually just one each year) but I look forward to using it as a way to reach out to my customers, hear what their needs are, and learn about all the really cool houses people have out there!
When it comes to figuring out my display it can be a little tricky. Large floorcloths in a small room just don’t work, so I have to rely on lots and lots of photos to show off my wares. In twenty years over 950 floorcloths have left the studio and have gone to individual homes, museums and shops throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. So how do I choose which ones I should show? Generally, I go by the ones which seem to catch peoples’ eyes. Basic Checks are always popular, with various borders to distinguish them from each other. Popular borders are Greek Key, Scrolls and some stenciled motifs. Of course, there are “extreme” borders like Artichokes and Berries or Dancing Bears which draw attention too!
Bordered Tiles and it’s relative, Bordered Pineapples, are designs which people often enjoy using in their less formal homes. And more intricate patterns like Flowers and Fans and Classic Medallion are wonderful in Eat-in kitchens and dining rooms too.
Not to be forgotten is the Mariner’s Compass! I have done this so many ways; in so many configurations. From long hallway runners, to large entry rooms to small kitchen-sink sized pieces. I have surrounded the compass with solid borders, striped borders and even Celtic Knot borders. Since floorcloths were often made from worn sails, the old ones frequently showed nautical themes, like the compass. That should prove to be a popular one in a town like Wilton; not far from the coast.
My mural will be an area away from me and my floorcloth display, but I will have some of my mural sketches with me and photos of finished pieces so that people can see how each mural is developed from customers’ photos and ideas to the finished canvas piece which is installed on their wall.
I will also have the complete Canvasworks Colors Swatch box with me, so people can take home the colors they would like to try out for their floorcloth project. And there will be samples of finished pieces of the two weights of canvas. These double as coasters, so everyone can go home with a Canvasworks momento! There are no bad floorcloth or mural questions, so please come to the show and quiz me on whatever has you puzzled about the process or the product! I look forward to spending some time with actual human beings instead of hiding away in my studio. I hope to see you there!
And if you can’t make it to the show, you can always download the 21 page Canvasworks portfolio!