Let me attempt to tell you about my solo exhibition, as it stands so far.
     I’m calling the exhibition Panca Marga, which is a Buddhist concept that recognizes that when one reaches the level of Bodhisattva, like a Buddhist saint, instead of being the end of a journey, attaining that level of perfection is rather a new beginning.  I’ll be creating 20 paintings, every 5 years, for the next 20 years.  That’s 100 paintings, between the ages of 60 and 80.  The hope is to create a very collectable series that tracks my professional career as an artist.
     I’ll be promoting the event in local calendars, through general postcard invitations, through personalized invitations to collectors and gallery owners, and the creation of a printed catalog of the exhibition.  Video content promoting the show ahead of time, as well as one as documenting a historical record of the event will also be created.  I’ll also be promoting the hell out of the exhibition on social media, trying to create a bit of a buzz.
     I want to make sure that anything that goes out to the public with respect to my exhibition is branded.  To that end, I’ve developed a certain graphic design “look”, created a logo for the show, and will use that “look” on everything I do.  That means the invitations, the certificates of authenticity, the stamps on the paintings, the brochure and press releases, and even the cocktail napkins will scream that this is my show.  
     The reception itself will be from 6-8pm on July 9th, 2021.  I’m expecting between 50 and 100 people, but with Covid still lingering out there, I’m not sure how many will venture out.  To that end, I will also have a virtual experience available as well.  The hope is that those who won’t come out in person can stop by online, as well as those who are abroad.  We worked overseas for many years, and a lot of my friends live elsewhere.  I truly believe that people come to exhibitions for an art experience, as much or more than to buy art.  My job is to create an experience of my collection, both in person and virtually.  There will be good food, music, a speech, video content, printed materials, and an easy way to purchase what people want to take home.  I’m also considering a sneak-peak event for VIPs, and Gallery Owners.  My only concern there is that I really can’t afford to cater two events, and if my VIPs come on a different night, they won’t return for the main event.  I’ll have to decide this quickly, but I may just schedule individual viewings with VIPs, and have some champagne and nibbles ready in the studio.  What do you guys think?
     I want to make sure I can imagine in detail the process a buyer will go through when purchasing my art.  Firstly they’ll have been invited, and welcomed to the reception.  There will be scheduled events during the reception to hold their attention.  They’ll start off at the table for refreshments, then I’ll give a little welcome speech, then there will be a video explaining the series, then some live music?  I want to fill the time in such a way so that just about the time they think they should be leaving, something else makes them want to stay.  If they’re online, there will be similar activities for those folks as well… minus the drinks.  When someone falls in love with a painting, they will be able to immediately swipe their card, or pay online, and get a red dot on the piece.  After the show, I’ll make arrangements to deliver the paintings to each of them, with the added offer to hang the piece in their home.  Not only does that create another opportunity for me to visit with them after the sale, but hopefully to build a relationship with them.  These are the folks who will be most likely to buy again in 5 years.