Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bailey Jack. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bailey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

As a painter I sell my works in several venues. My works are available online, in galleries and at art shows. I also create custom paintings as a commission.

Selling directly to the public is a tricky endeavor. You’re interacting with an emotional individual over their ‘ new find”. They sometimes are super interested in my process or materials used or just wanting to know who I am as a painter.

Selling is a tango of keeping the interested new collector comfortable that they are making the right decision as well as the price of the piece. Once both parties agree and the painting is purchased it is an enjoyable experience. Paintings enter the most valued place they own — home. So I’m aware how precious this decision.

Given all this “dance” I’ve successfully made a sale after creating it and applying to a show and traveling and setting up :rain or shine” to achieve this sale.

After 25 years on the road the setbacks have been theft of a painting and bad checks. It’s a hard pill to swallow. So most artist are aware of this pitfall as any business. But fast forward to North Carolina

I was in an outside tent show downtown Asheville North Carolina. Muggy and hot and slow slow sales.
Finally I sold my favorite piece to a young woman probably 25-30 years of age. Very nice and we did negotiate a bit. The streets were packed over 100,000 attended and weather still hot and humid. She and her friend were excited and went on their way. I was relieved I had a sale so all was good.

Several hours later I see her returning to my tent. I had explained all sales were final and begin dreading the narrative I expected. She said “I believe you undercharged me during our negotiations I owe you $100 more’.

What? Could this be? I checked my records and she was correct. I had no idea. I said to her “I wouldn’t have known because I probably wouldn’t had checked. And you came back in all this crowd”. She took off her sunglasses, looked ant me
and said “We’ll who are you without honesty? Wow.. so profound I repeated it back. One of the most beautiful statements I’ve heard.

My hero is this young lady who respected herself strongly. She had no clue how paying the agreed amount gave respect to me as well as the piece. She had a clear conscience and loved the work. She gave me joy in meeting a kind and honest human .

Bailey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I work as a self taught painter. After leaving a two decade profession I sold my home in less than a week because of no funds. Stumbled about and met a Life Coach who encouraged me to find my passion

My attempts began in a then small town showing my works in a boutique
Sales grew a bit so I went to selling in tent shows. Rain snow sleet winds any weather to earn some money. HGTV purchased one piece 2007 home give away and established me as a professional painter.

I meet incredible interesting people from the public as well as other artists. Crazy stories, beyond belief tales of human nature perfect for cocktail parties. Interacting with the public is as interesting as starting a new painting. People will open their hearts to an artists. I don’t know why but we all say this. It’s a wonderful life job

I give classes and still a few tent shows. Commissions and website sales are a revenue stream. At age 79 I’m still learning the business

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I learned to recognize some show producers are unaware how to treat artists as humans…say What? …

If you don’t stay entire show dates you’re not allowed to apply again I understand that in advertising and logistics etc.

One show I fell and knee blew up and waited four hours for help setting up my tent which I do myself every show but knee couldn’t bend. Day of show no sales , my purchased lunch was given away and police was checking every purse, baby strollers etc at the gate (?) drones flying overhead Never saw the producers all day. To explain why so many police. Tornado warnings for next day

No information why all the appearance of police nor did they meet any of the artists. Treated like robots. So I pivoted
I realized no help would be received if I stayed. I did the biggest No No of leaving show early. I backed car to my tent at 6am. Loaded all I could. Paid one guy to lift tent into car and was gone in 30 minutes. Never heard from producers

If you travel alone and have an accident at show and then disappear before opening next day I should have been contacted. Never heard a word.
Respect yourself and realize beside the producers the crews are not paid and some don’t care. After that I never do shows if producers treat artists inhumane and unprofessionally

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I learned to look at bottom line with new respect

I adore and respect certain show producers. Safety honesty great locations problem solvers etc.

They made me a more professional acting artist. I respected artists at the show and always felt safe.

Slowly I realized i was not making money. Sales didn’t cover show fees.
I noticed lower quality of art work appeared. Booth we’re filling up with not so refined crafts

I realized I kept doing these shows because I respected the producers and staff. It was a difficult decision because we were friends. It made no business sense.

I had to bow out. Sometimes embarrassment and turning a blind eye is damaging to your income and time. Lesson learned

Contact Info:

• Website: Baileyjackartstudio.weebly..com
• Instagram: Bailey jack