Imposter Syndrome is real…

Last week I took part in my biggest fair to date, 3 days in the West end fair. The weekend was such a success and it was so lovely connecting with locals and tourists, chatting about art and Scotland.

But

If you had seen me on Thursday and even Friday I was a ball of anxiety! I get this a lot, especially at in person events I haven’t done before. Firstly, it’s the unknown environment and I feel very exposed when my work is on display and I am right there watching people look. Art is so personal, the work I do holds my stories, experience and it’s really documenting my life so you can feel quite vulnerable.

I have had nothing but lovely comments and interactions so I don’t know why I feel so shy and stressed sometimes, maybe it’s because I really want this to work (making my art a larger part of my life), maybe it’s because there is also the added financial pressure of making back the money for the stall and it being ‘worth it’.

Of course, one of the things about markets is getting to chat to people, hear their stories and share mine and it so lovely. But being such a small business, every market feels like a big investment and sometimes it is a gamble. I’ve had many markets where I’ve barely broken even and it hard not to feel deflated!

Thankfully, the West End Fair was a great weekend and I would definitely do it again! Having my parents come up to help and keep me company was a real treat and it helped the set up and take down go smoothly and if you had the pleasure of chatting to my Dad, you’ll know everything about me and the business! You lucky guys. That man knows how to sell haha