Marketing??
 

I am trying to get into portrait painting and I'm currently building a portfolio of samples. Soon I'll have enough to be able to show my work effectively. My question for the experienced pro's out there is; how best to market myself?

I'm going to try hitting the local market first. I already have a web site up, which also needs to be marketed better, but my main concern at the moment is getting some work locally.

Any help, hints or suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I am somewhat where you are
 

What I am doing is having art sales (yard sales) of my prints. Here I can display my original work and portraits that I've done of my children. I get a good response but its not as constant as I would like it yet. I also go to local flea markets doing the same thing. I was doing a little better there because I had a bigger flow traffic.

In fact this year I did not go yet and I bump into clients that I've picked up there last year and there first statement is "I was looking for you at the flea market." I think this time Im going to have something for them to walk away with whether they buy the first time or not (a flyer or something).

I also have booths in local festivals, looking to go to surrounding cities (Chicago, Detroit, plus all of West Michigan). Another thing I would suggest is to ask family members ACROSS THE COUNRTY to have art shows for you. Your family would love to do it...no charge even, plus your art work is now going accross the country if thats not encouraging I dont know what is!!! I have a lot of other ideas I just have to find a way to implement them.

William,

Unfortunately, the post to which you responded was from April of 2001. I don't think that member has continued, so I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for an answer from him. But, hopefully other members will show up and provide some assistance soon.

Also, I removed your suggestion that the original poster email you privatedly because, as much as possible, I prefer for discussions to stay on the forum so everyone can benefit.

Thanks

Hello William and Welcome to our Community!
 

Shows can certainly be a good venue for portraiture sales, but the key to show success is - getting into the right "kind" of show.

I have been doing shows for about the last three years and the thing that I have discovered is that there are a couple of kinds of shows:

1. Shows that are more "craft" than "art" - country kitsch, soap doilies, ceramics, things to stick in your yard. Avoid these shows like the plague - you will spend your time singing "one of these things is not like the others...." and you won't sell much because people are there to buy crafts - not fine art.

2. Shows that are "huge" - Some shows are so large that art and craft does not matter so much. I am doing a Holiday Food and Gift show in Denver in November where they get more than 40,000 people over 4 days each paying $10 to get in. It is a huge show and people come there to buy. You find all sorts of things at this show and fine art is well placed.

3. Shows that are for "art" - Pure fine art shows that are juried are great to get into.

Finally, you have to define what you are in the show to do - sell prints, advertise your portraiture, etc. I do shows to advertise. I have a few prints in a small bin, but my primary purpose in doing the show is to get people interested in my work and thinking about having me do a portrait for their family. So I have cards and signs and portfolios everywhere, and as many originals as I can hang. I try to always work on a charcoal while at the show (charcoal is easier to do at a show than actual painting)- working is a great way to bring people into your booth.

Hope that helps! :)

Michael, have you received many commissions from your "advertising" at the high-end shows? There are several very good shows in my area that I'm thinking of participating in next year but the fees and set-up time and effort are very large.

Thanks!