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Michele Rushworth · 11-17-2002, 01:28 PM

I do think having a chess piece facing to the left, and positioned just to the right of his finger, is a good idea, to stop the visual flow out of the painting.

Back to the topic of getting the price that your work is worth: I have found that the key is making sure my work is shown to people who do have money to spend.

I have donated head-and-shoulder portraits to four VERY high end private school charity auctions in the past year. Every one of the four winners has contracted to pay me thousands of dollars more to upgrade to full figure portraits with complex backgrounds, or to do three-quarter length portraits with two kids.

These are folks who spend $10,000 a year to send one child to private school, and who live in multi-million dollar homes. They also have friends with a lot more money to spend than what my friends or I have!

I also hung four of my life size portraits in the public library in a very upscale part of town. That led to a commission which will turn out to be about $7,000. That client has agreed to do an unveiling party for me next spring when the painting is finished, and to invite her neighbors who also live in multi-million dollar homes.

So, the key is to get the right work in front of the right people and you will get sales.

Good luck!

11-17-2002, 01:28 PM	#6
Michele Rushworth CAFE & BUSINESS MODERATOR SOG Member FT Professional Joined: Jul 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,460	I do think having a chess piece facing to the left, and positioned just to the right of his finger, is a good idea, to stop the visual flow out of the painting. Back to the topic of getting the price that your work is worth: I have found that the key is making sure my work is shown to people who do have money to spend. I have donated head-and-shoulder portraits to four VERY high end private school charity auctions in the past year. Every one of the four winners has contracted to pay me thousands of dollars more to upgrade to full figure portraits with complex backgrounds, or to do three-quarter length portraits with two kids. These are folks who spend $10,000 a year to send one child to private school, and who live in multi-million dollar homes. They also have friends with a lot more money to spend than what my friends or I have! I also hung four of my life size portraits in the public library in a very upscale part of town. That led to a commission which will turn out to be about $7,000. That client has agreed to do an unveiling party for me next spring when the painting is finished, and to invite her neighbors who also live in multi-million dollar homes. So, the key is to get the right work in front of the right people and you will get sales. Good luck! __________________ Michele Rushworth www.michelerushworth.com [email protected]