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help me break into the art world

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My story:
      My name is Josh Roth. If you are not aware, I am an artist. I am always engaged in multiple eclectic, artistic endeavors (so says my business card anyway.)  Ninety-nine percent of what I create is made of recycled, reclaimed and re-purposed materials.
    However, recently my focus has been the creation of birds and dragons.  All of my birds and dragons are made of 100% stainless steel flatware.  Forks, knives, spoons and various serving utensils.
     Also, all my birds and dragons balance on a single point and are free to move and spin in the wind.
for instance:
and...
 Currently, I sell my art every Saturday at a local farmers market (specifically, the 50 yr. old Santa Rosa Farmers Market @ the LBC 8:30-1pm) and at a large antique fair once a month (specifically, the Alameda Point Antique Faire, 1st Sun. of the month.) Both of these events are great, check them out!

      For a bit more than a year, I have been supporting myself entirely by creating and selling my original artwork.  By "entirely," I mean I have no other source of income. 

    Also, by "supporting myself," I mean I can pay my rent, eat, keep my phone working, and procure enough tools and materials to keep creating; but just barely. 

      I feel completely stuck. This leaves me no time or money to advance my artistic career.

     And by "artistic career," I mean all my hopes and dreams of sharing my art with the world.
        Wherever I sell, no matter what else is being sold near me, my work draws the largest crowd. I love to watch people react to my work. My work seems to evoke the whole gambit of human emotions in people.
I have seen people speechless, dumbfounded, or laughing hysterically. Some become confused,  while others are mesmerized.I have watched many children become giddy with excitement and then full of questions on what is actually going on. When I show people that they are balanced on a pinpoint, they are exposed to physics, which in turn, intrigues the mind. That is a wonderful thing!
 My art is popular, it's sells well. I'm even actively collected. 
     Still, I am unable to advance my artistic career any further. I've been following this course that I'm on because it lets me do what I love. But the status quo will never allow me to change my circumstances for the better.
     Much of the problem is that I am selling my art as a "crafter". I sell at "fairs," "markets" and "festivals." Which is fine for much of what I make . Because, yes, I am a crafter. Most of what I sell is crafts. My balancing sculptures, however, is not craftwork.  I conjecture they are " fine art". Repeatedly I am told this while I am selling at these venues. How do I do this? How can I have my work recognized as "fine art?     
    The funds I'm hoping to raise will make it possible to get my flying flatware creations out of the craft market economy and into more appropriate venues.
     I already have connections in the art and gallery world who are excited by my work and ready to help.
     But to have a professional showing of an artist's work requires quite a number of finished, exhibit ready pieces.
My best sculptures, those that should be exhibited, 
are selling as fast as I can make them.  I'm selling fine art in a craft market. This means I'm selling much of my work for much less than its value. 
     
     I make enough to pay most bills, rent gas and then usually I'm borrowing by the end of the month. Then on the first Sunday, I'm in Alameda where I often sell out of everything. 
Then it all starts again. 
   What I want to do is to is be able to create several pieces and have them displayed in an art gallery, which would then allow more people to see my work, appreciate it and be willing to pay the prices that  I should be asking. I spend a lot of hours working on each piece. I put a lot of thought and care into my work besides time.
      If I could be creating, in my shop, and not have to sell what I make for six months. I would be able to accumulate an inventory of awesome sculptures. Enough to show my work properly. That would be my chance to really change my circumstances for the better. Sharing my art with a wider audience and being able to make a living doing it.

     It's great doing what I love, I am lucky, but there is no way for my career to progress. living like this is unsustainable. If I can't make a change for the better, soon, I will have to give it all up for something more lucrative to make ends meet maybe finding the time to be an artist on the weekends. This is not what I want!
     
   I'm aware that my cause isn't the most heart-wrenching or dire, but supporting the arts is important.
My creations are magical and I'm sure the world is a better place with them in it, Help me populate the planet with spinning, balancing birds and dragons.

Thank You

thanks, for reading, and considering contributing.

     more of my work can be seen on my website   http://www.winecountrygardenart.com/ 
or my just created facebook page, search on facebook for @upcycledartbyjosh for go to 
https://www.facebook.com/upcycledartbyjosh/
   
       I promise to share each and every piece I complete, as well as some sneak peaks behind the scenes, during the process...by video and photos; in emails and facebook postings... with everyone who contributes to this campaign, 

-My Goal: create a body of work including high quality, individual works of art, in the quantity needed for a professional showing at a reputable art gallery and or art show. This would take my work to a larger more profitable market.

-The Funds: the funds I raise in this campaign will be used to pay the basic expenses I incur(i.e. rent, food, gas, materials,) for a period of six months. This will allow me to build a body of work rather than selling each piece immediately upon completion as I currently do.


Here is some more of what I do.

wine barrel hoop hearts with cutlery wings

Wine Barrel Garden Bridges

Stainless Steel Skeleton Hands made from flatware
(anatomicaly correct)


a couple more dragons

Organizer

Josh Roth
Organizer
Santa Rosa, CA

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