[Joan Breckwoldt]

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with hanging their portraits in cafes or restaurants? I just read Michele's new topic about advertising in magazines and it reminded me of an idea I've had for a while - to hang portraits in local restaurants. I didn't want to confuse her thread by getting off track so I started a new one.

There is a nice little cafe nearby which has an antique/gift shop in the front of it. The walls in this little cafe are covered with artwork for sale. It's a cafe where the 'wealthy' moms go for a quick bite and to meet their friends. My thought was to approach the owner and ask if I could hang a portrait (okay, when I get good enough) with my business card mounted nicely next to it. I could offer the owner say $200 for each referral I get. If, after 6 months, I don't get any business from the portrait then the portrait comes down and I pay them $200 anyway.

I can think of it as renting the wall space for advertising. The cafe is owned by two women, a mother and daughter, and I go there often enough that they recognize me. Not a bad idea to frequent a place before you approach them about a mutually agreeable agreement like this, I think.

I suppose there is risk of a portrait getting damaged, but I would be willing to accept that rist. There is another cafe nearby and they have 2 midsized walls, the rest of the cafe is windows. But they usually have 4 or 5 paintings all by the same artist displayed.

Anybody tried this before?

Joan