At the Market this week

I’m licensed by the Art Commission of the City and County of San Francisco to sell Art in Public Places. I sell at the Saturday market at Justin Herman Plaza because I used to sell at the CUESA Farmer’s Market across the street at the Ferry Building and people know me from there. I just have a card rack and a small display for my bookmarks and luggage tags. I keep it small because I take the bus to the market.

Much of my subject matter comes from the Farmer’s market. That market is about freshness and having a personal relationship with the farmer. I know most of the farmers from when I sold over there, and each week I paint their beautiful produce. This is prime time painting season for me. EVERYTHING IS RIPE! I can hardly decide what to paint next! I had a peach fling in the last week or so. The peas are so sweet right now. The Bings and Raniers are wonderful. And the tomatoes have finally arrived in a big way. What to paint? What to paint?

It was beautiful at the market this week. Early fog, but it cleared before 10. And the tourists are starting to arrive. Tourist trade is the main deal at that market. I have a small fan base of regulars who stop each week on their way to or from the Farmer’s market, but primarily it’s tourist trade. My products are small, easy to carry and affordable, so I have a great impulse item for them.

I enjoy talking to my customers. They give me valuable feedback by their choices and requests. I like hearing why tourists are here, where they are from, where they visited, what they have done. I meet very interesting folks while selling on the street, not to mention getting store orders, commissions and students. It’s all about exposure and feedback to me. I work my day job from home, so the market is a social event for me. It has a carnival-like feeling to me. And it’s a great opportunity to sit outside in a beautiful city and call it work.

View my work at heidiwyckoff.com