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Originally Posted by Unregistered
as an agent/gallery represented "professional" that "window" is, for the most part, closed.
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Ed,
With all due respect, you sound pessimistic rather than realistic.
The fact is, there
are other ways to be "successful" as a portrait artist besides relying on galleries and agents. I painted commissioned portraits for 30-some years without outside representation, before recently signing up with a portrait broker. Most commercial galleries won't even show portraits. Many artists get commissions from friends, business associates, etc., on their own with a little hustling. It's a nice way to make anywhere from a little extra income to a substantial income while doing what you love to do. I think there are many artists on this forum who would attest to that fact. Lots of artists started painting late in life and have had time to make a modest success, and sometimes artists achieve more than that.
The key is to look at portrait painting as not just a commercial enterprise, but as a creative endeavor. Then you will see the possibilities open up in front of you.
You can certainly choose not to apply for membership; that is up to you.