Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post - Those brokers... where are the doors and how deep can I put a foot?

Debra Jones · 12-01-2008, 01:49 PM

I have notorious bad timing. I was looking into brokers and found three. One which had a portfolio review the WEEK before I found them. One that is not taking new artists and one that is having their review in January.

If I may, could you pros tell me how you came to be represented by your agents, what they asked of you and any advice for those of us that are trying to get out of the rut and into a national client base?

I am earning all my money as a single woman and all from art. When I was officially employed in the art world, I was terrible at billing and tracking my time and I have those outmoded skills of painting by hand, not so much with a digital pen. I know I have an illustrator's skill set but not the temperament. I do portraits. I have adjusted the ratio of ego to sales, I get along great with people (and animals) so I need to figure out how to hit the larger market.

This year I backed off the animal portraits to try to get a few larger scale sample pieces and develop a different client base. I have no clue how to meet and greet, find the clubs, move in the circles locally, but I seem to be circling in the same places and instead of going up, I am becoming the darling of my little art leagues and still making no sales.

I have even invested in a better wardrobe and have a hairdresser!

Economy being what it is, the expense of hitting the convention is literally impossible. I have even considered trying to figure out how to get a grant, but I am paying my bills. NOT a penny left for more than that, but I am supporting myself, which is a good thing these days.

Tips, that is all I am asking. Any tips to putting a toe into the bigger world so I can actually finance the bigger opportunities?

12-01-2008, 01:49 PM	#1
Debra Jones Juried Member Featured in Pastel Journal Joined: Jan 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 457	Those brokers... where are the doors and how deep can I put a foot? I have notorious bad timing. I was looking into brokers and found three. One which had a portfolio review the WEEK before I found them. One that is not taking new artists and one that is having their review in January. If I may, could you pros tell me how you came to be represented by your agents, what they asked of you and any advice for those of us that are trying to get out of the rut and into a national client base? I am earning all my money as a single woman and all from art. When I was officially employed in the art world, I was terrible at billing and tracking my time and I have those outmoded skills of painting by hand, not so much with a digital pen. I know I have an illustrator's skill set but not the temperament. I do portraits. I have adjusted the ratio of ego to sales, I get along great with people (and animals) so I need to figure out how to hit the larger market. This year I backed off the animal portraits to try to get a few larger scale sample pieces and develop a different client base. I have no clue how to meet and greet, find the clubs, move in the circles locally, but I seem to be circling in the same places and instead of going up, I am becoming the darling of my little art leagues and still making no sales. I have even invested in a better wardrobe and have a hairdresser! Economy being what it is, the expense of hitting the convention is literally impossible. I have even considered trying to figure out how to get a grant, but I am paying my bills. NOT a penny left for more than that, but I am supporting myself, which is a good thing these days. Tips, that is all I am asking. Any tips to putting a toe into the bigger world so I can actually finance the bigger opportunities? __________________ http://dog-a-dayartblog.blogspot.com/ Because some people have four legs.