[Darla Dixon]

I have been a member of ASOPA for a year now and have mixed emotions, but overall my opinion is favorable.

The fee was $75 last year, and for 2002 it was reduced to $65 if I paid by December 31st.

They send out a Quarterly periodical, called the Signature, which has some excellent articles. I can say that there have been times when it has arrived and I have been really down on myself and my art (thinking maybe I'm following a pipe dream and need to go get a 'real' job) that sort of negative thinking...and there it comes in the mail and picks me up and gets me excited and motivated again. Just for that, I feel it's worth the membership fee.

Membership also allows for a discount with Utrecht art supplies, but I haven't taken advantage of this yet, and can't remember how much of a discount it offers.

I decided it would be good to have the membership for another reason too (kind of embarrassing, but this is the place to be totally frank, right?!?)
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OK, here goes: "Member, American Society of Portrait Artists" looks good on your website and on your business cards. Gives a step up, I think - and to a potential client it says you are serious about your art as a business and have made a commitment to quality. I think that if someone was 'on the fence' whether to have me do portrait work for them, versus the portrait artist in a nearby town, just having that membership noted MIGHT give an edge. Silly? Shallow? Most advertising is.

My decision to join was also a bit emotional too -ASOPA has John Singer Sargent on their logo and seal, and he's been a great influence on me since about 1978, when I saw 'Madame X' among other portraits of his at the Detroit Metropolitan Museum of Art. I still say WOW when I just think about it. When I do start painting portraits (and oh, I will) I will not be satisfied until I am at that level of expertise. I really could clog up the message boards praising him.

The downside to ASOPA is that they didn't seem to care much about my art, I sent the money in, I got membership. I think they do check your website for content, but that's about it.

Portrait Artists of America does require you to send in slides etc if I recall.