Preparing for one art fair takes time. I applied to the September Brighton Art Fair back in the spring but had already started on a series of paintings in January. I felt that I needed a new body of work, things I felt had started to change. I took a year out from my usual Brighton Open House venue, after 12 years, it was strange not to be exhibiting but will be back next year. This time out gave me a little more space to start painting.

After a few false starts and a fair amount of complaining, painting every day has become my main occupation, in between teaching my lovely students. I was making progress for the Brighton Art Fair and then started to research what else was on and so applied to Parallax Art Fair, Chelsea and was accepted instantly.

This had a two fold effect, one of excitement and jubilation of being accepted and then the realisation that I had just signed myself up for a lot more painting. Parallax Art Fair is encouraging an experimental approach from artists and this really caught my attention. For a long time I have wanted to exhibit my project on dance and I am really looking forward to it.

Down to the nitty gritty of getting organised is complex. With two separate shows, things such as hanging plans, do I frame work or not, will all the work look good together, which ones should I not take? All constant questions roaming around in my head as well as having to get a grip with making contacts, keeping mailing lists and gradually building up a good relationship with visitors. All of this takes time too. I was explaining recently to a colleague that I really gain an insight into meeting visitors who haven't seen my work and that this can only be achieved by being present on a stand and talking about work after all there is no one better who can explain and talk about it to. Brighton Art Fair is particularly good for this and I look forward to catching up with fellow artists and visitors. Art fairs give artists the opportunity to do this, just as the open houses do and visitors enjoy meeting artists on a one to one basis.

I am sure there are plenty of artists out there who do lots of art fairs and I take my hat off to them, I would love to hear from them and any tips or possible short cuts they may have.

Brighton Art Fair: 21 September - 23 September
Parallax Art Fair, Chelsea: 13 - 14 October

For more information visit http://www.janedenman.com/