Two cents worth
 

Here are my honest thoughts on the subject. Live where you like, and where you can afford the cost of living, and ship. Also there's a book out; "The Best 100 Art Places to Live in the US", or something like that. I've been to eight or nine of those and I agree that all are great little towns. Oklahoma doesn't have any towns in the book and I agree with that.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I think that for "Fine Art Portraiture", the best choice may be somewhere in the South. As you may extrapolate, I am contemplating a move. Right now, it is down to Hilton Head vs. Charleston. I leave for a 10 day trip next Sunday to explore and house hunt with my wife. We have high hopes.

It seems that for gallery work, Tim is correct - live where you like. For portraiture however, it is clear that where you live can be an advantage. :)

Tim,

Is there any way you can check the title on that book "The Best 100 Art Places to Live in the US". I've searched numerous ways both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and found nothing.

Cynthia

Art towns
 

Cynthia,

I believe the book may be "The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America; Where to Find Fresh Air, Creative People and Affordable Living" by John Villani.

I remember seeing the book at the library and I thought it said something about 'art towns' in the title.

I hope this is the correct book.

Gina

Charge 'em, Michael
 

Just charge 'em for out of town expenses - then you'll be an expert if you travel.

Gina,

Thanks, you're right. I thought I had it in my bookstore and I do at http://portraitartist.com/bookstore/communities.htm.

Well, being born and raised in Pumpkin Center, Louisiana, I guess I am about as deep south as you can get, ya'll. Lucky for me, Pumpkin Center is almost the first exit off of I-55 north of New Orleans. It is also on 30 minutes on I-12 from Baton Rouge.

We are talking small town deep south. As such, you have different cliques, so that almost all that is necessary is for one soccer mom, one dance mom or one pokeno player to commission you and word of mouth has spread. The problem is getting them to come up with enough money to make it worth your time, but I am getting there. When you are sort of new at this, some people are hesitant. The good thing is that these moms experience a large amount of peer pressure amongst themselves. What one does they almost all "just have ta have it".

Good Luck all!
Rebecca

I have learned that where I'm living, Bellingham, Washington, is a fast growing retirement community and most of the people already have all of the art they can collect. Although I have just spoken with a photography studio whose work I like (young married couples, prom portraits and lots of children) and offered to do a display portrait of one of the staff. I also suggested a commission of 30% for each portrait commissioned through their establishment. Have to wait for the word from the owner and will let you all know what happens. Getting the big bucks, or what the painting is really worth, may have to wait, but I've got to get started on this.

There does seem to be a limited market here for landscapes and seascapes.

Here's an interesting article from Art Calendar magazine, February 2001 issue. SOG artist Joy Thomas lives in the Paducah area. However, I don't know specifically about portraiture in that area. I know that Joy flys throughout the U. S.

Small Town, Big on Art
Paducah, KY and Its Artist Relocation Program

by Stacy Smith Rogers

Halfway between St. Louis and Nashville lies a city in Kentucky named Paducah. Though it is slow in pace, it is fast-becoming a community known for its arts. Through the visionary efforts of several individuals, an artist relocation program was born in 2000 and its birth has showered the city with prospective participants from around the country.

Paducah