Hi Karin!
I really like the first image of your booth. The second image has a too 'closed in' feeling. The first example has a nice open feel to it and the portrait in the middle is a nice draw. You have to have that 'draw' into your booth and your best portrait will do it. Once the folks are in your booth they will start to look around. That is what you want. Hook them with a great image and reel them in. So, I raise my hand and vote for number one.
Don't go for the rug. The way it looks now is fine. If a rug must be there try a small 2x3 right in front of your draw. I assume that the podium has your portable portfolio on top of it, under your portrait. Right in front of the podium would be nice for a 2x3 'prayer rug'.
Some shows don't allow anything that isn't flame retardant. Backdrops and table coverings are required to be flame retardant at some venues even. This is the case in TN and GA.
The economy is picking up in the Atlanta area. The antique sales and art sales are on the incline. Some folks are starting to have some really good shows again. That means the folks that have the extra cash and big dividend checks are starting to feel good about spending the money again.
From years of doing antiques, we are the very first ones to get bitten, but then we are the first ones to start selling again. The art sector is always the same.
I noticed everything is framed the same in your booth. That adds a continuity. Do you plan your paintings around your frames?
Antique frames have always interested me so there is a pile around I can pull from. I was thinking of stretching cavases to a specific frame and subject. Thought it would be different.
Wish I had the money to sink in a display but I have to see if this is a route I want to take before dropping some bucks. Winter is a good time to think about the art path, spring will tell. You will never find this gal out in the heat, that limits how many times a year I'll be doing something outside.
PIX #1 gets a
