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Dj*
The Faire I do is seasonal, most of them are. I could do many more than the one I do, which by the way is three weekends in August with a visitor take of 55,000. But my attention is divided as I also am a plein air landscape painter and am doing events with Plein Air Washington Association.
I like the way it is evolving. The people of Ren Faire know me and I'm their 'artist'. I have had the great opportunity of painting portraits of celebrities such as Bruce Hopkins of Lord of the Rings, and the grandson of J. R Tolkein both of whom I met at Ring Con-an event this Ren group held a couple of years ago. My business cards have traveled as far as Wales and New Zealand and I have gotten some commissions from it over there as well, although shipping is so costly to over seas it isn't something I pursued with much diligence. I also painted the portrait of the owner of the Washington State Renaissance Faire and things have been progressing ever since. I've made a lot of friends and have had the opportunity to paint a lot of paintings for them. I think that if you choose to go with a dog show pick one and get to know the people. They'll adopt you and your clients will seek you out.
I don't ever think I will paint portraits of famous politicians, but when I think of it I probably don't want to. I am in my realm of theatrics and I love it. My paintings are invited to the local theater here and I make contacts through there. In fact, the owner of the theater likes my work so much I get to choose which play I display my paintings at next year for a 6 week display.
I find that the relationships I establish at any event I go to are what determines the popularity of my artwork. Be friendly, smile, be interested in those who sit for you. Talk to them. Then they will remember you. If they like you they will tell others about you and your work.
By the way, my interest in the costumed figure is expanding and next year I have been invited to a Civil War Re-enactment and will be camping for a week and painting faces (and costumes) there. Its going to be a blast. And I know I will get commissions and sales just as I do at Faire.
Through the Faire, I was invited to do the Northwest Celtic Association's fairs and have done several portraits of the dancers. There are folks from the Scotish Highland Games that have asked me to attend their event too but I don't think I qualify (I think they want only Scottish made items). I may pursue that next year if I'm asked again.
The more people I meet and get to know the more paintings I sell. Not that I get to know people to sell paintings. I love meeting people. The selling is just the by product.
Your portraits are beautiful by the way. I love the one you did of your father. I am also familiar with the area that you live and think that you could very easily paint the Navajo amd Hopi with such sensitivity that your work would fly and you wouldn't be able to keep up with it. That's just mho.
Best regards.
Dianne
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