My last show in February was organized by the Boca Raton Museum of Art. The museum is actually pretty cool - I wanted to escape my booth and get in there but the most I could manage was a couple of visits to the expansive bathrooms.

Following the advice of several Boca Raton show veterans, I doubled my prices to be in a good position to haggle. After selling some unframed work I struck up a conversation with a woman who was snagged by a framed portrait, she said it made her laugh. I told her the price was $400 and she offered me $200. I was flabbergasted by her audacity and said I needed at least $350, expecting her to haggle further. We talked some more and then she started to go. I told her to walk around the show for a bit, think about my offer and come back. She told me to think about HER offer.

When she left, I realized that I forgotten my price doubling strategy. Her offer of $200 was actually full price pre-Boca.Whoops! I waited in vain for her return. Chagrined, I packed up the portrait at the end of the show and headed for Brooklyn. Now this portrait makes me laugh too - reminding me of the sly lady and the sale that got away. Art shows are fun!