I have my own sign shop equipment which I utilize for my vinyl lettering. I created this insignia from an idea I have had for a long time.

I use a double drawing table so that I can slide the drawing board easily side to side rather than ask my inexperienced model to move. I use a curb at the bottom to stabilize my arm.

The lamp you see on the table is the same type as those used on the kioske, only it is a desk model. I just removed the hood and base retaining the goose neck.

Malls are usually very hard to please, so it behooves an artist to really have a neat and tidy appearance in an open studio such as mine. This is my only studio. I do all my work here, even my painting, which you see on an easel which I painted gray to match my new motif.

Another option is to investigate buying professional art panels. There are a couple of options out there. The best artist display panels, IMO, are Pro Panels - http://www.propanels.com/

I have panels that are an aluminum mesh - not as nice as the others, but they are light and they break into two pieces each allowing me to pack them into a car trunk with the seat folded down.

Lon, thank you so much for those images and explanation. It all looks terrific. I can see you've been very inventive, too.

Michael, can you tell me where you got your mesh panels?

Thanks!

Sunshine Artist
 

I've been looking into showing art at outdoor festivals, and found that the magazine Sunshine Artist addresses all aspects of the outdoor (and mall-based) art market. I love this magazine! I get a ton of information from the articles, the reviews of various festivals, and not least, the advertising. Check it out online on www.sunshineartist.com. I got a subscription, and I'm a satisfied customer!

Michele:

The company is Graphic Display Systems. Here is their contact info and a pic of the panels:

Graphic Display Systems
308 S.1st St.
Lebanon, PA. 17042-5427
1-800-848-3020
717-274-3954
FAX 717-274-2710

If you intend to display your art in outdoor shows, you will want a canopy.

I have a Caravan Canopy and I love it. They can be a pricey investment, but they are worth it. I did a four day show in the mountains of Colorado last summer and it rained and hailed EVERY day for like 2 hours each day. The canopy was rock solid and did not leak a drop. I have sides that zip up too so I could completely close it off at night.

Here is a shot of my canopy from another show:

Thanks for the info, Michael. I like how you've clamped lights onto the top of the screen.

Yea, that worked out great! I went to Office Depot and found clamp on desk lamps. They have a core pin that sticks into the clamp on base. The pin is narrow enough to stick into the open top tube hole of the panel side.