[Karin Wells]

I don't go out of my way to show in galleries, but sometimes I get asked and it is fun to be a part of a (mostly local) show.

So far I have not gone any farther than Boston (The Copley Society on Newbury Street) to show my work. I am in the Portrait Registry at the Copley and I have done portraits through them. They are the only representation I have....and they are not that active.

Once a year there is an "Open Studio Tour" in my area and sometimes I join that. Because commission work is basically unseen, after I've worked on a piece, I like to show it to somebody (besides the client). Local shows are a good way to do this.

I do not expect and I have never recieved any "special treatment." The little sticker next to my work usually says "NFS" (Not For Sale) and "Commissions Only" (in teeny-weeny type). I would not ever want to separate myself from other artists...they work just as hard as I do and I can only imagine their anger and resentment if I asked for special treatment. Ouch.

There is usually a table top somewhere in a gallery with resumes, cards etc. of the artists...and I add mine to the lot. The Gallery owner, docent or whoever is guarding the show, usually answers questions about the artist or the paintings.

The clients I get usually walk through the door already looking for a portrait painter. If they spot my work and like it, they can easily track me down. I don't think that portraiture is a "hard sell item."

As to still life....I sure wish I had time to paint more of them. I also would like to take the time to try my hand at landscapes. If/when I ever get some of these, I'll definitely look for a gallery to sell them or sell them from my studio during an "Open Studio Tour."

How many shows do I do? Before this year is over, I'll probably have been in five shows. Last year I was in two. But my Online Portfolio "Show" is what makes the real difference...