Hi All,
I've been so busy haven't posted here for a while, although I still stop every few days to see what's new to learn.
I mentioned about 3 months ago that I decided to go Pro. I started full time in mid July, and I'm happy to report it's been SOOOOO fulfilling.
First, this job allows me a lot more time for my 5 year old, who just started kindergarten. I love the privilege of dropping him off myself at 9 am, enjoying our morning together. Just by not dressing and driving off to a job somewhere has given me an extra 1 1/2 hours a day - so I can spoil myself with family time without feeling like I've sacrificed work time.
Now for the fun career news. I've completed 3 commissions since July, and have 8 commission orders to complete between now and February. Of those commissions, one will be my first corporate commission - of the founder of a corporation here that's expanding their building here in the cities (the founder called me himself!).
Another commission will be of 7 (7!) kids - & the painting proportions will be 40 inches wide by 7 feet tall (to fill a nook above a fireplace).
One of the best honors so far is that I have one client who likes my work best when I have free reign, and so has no perameters for their commission of their two kids - what a privilege for find clients who connect with your style to that point.
On the "fine art" side - there's a painting I've posted here called "Spring Bud" - a figurative piece of a girl up in a tree, and that I hope to be selling to a buyer in Chicago - so that will be my first work to go out of state.
Besides the above, I've been invited to show my work at a local center for the arts, and am working on a painting I'm doing gratis (for PR reasons) for a local sailing foundation that will be turned into numbered giclees for their fundraising.
I've also taught some oil, watercolor, and pastel classes through Dick Blick (an interesting experience, but I think that facet will go on the back burner for now).
Some professionals wrote me when I first took the career leap how rewarding this job is, and that I would never look back - thanks, you were so right.
I'll try to post some work when I can. I also have a neat paint stand I've engineered that I'd like to show you guys in case it's helpful, as well as a great gift certificate with box - for clients who want to give a commission as a gift.
My only wish would be for an assistant who knew computers and graphic design - so I could free myself from some of the laborious marketing and computer responsibilties that I will perpetually be behind on. I'm so behind I haven't even had a new photo taken of me for my web site and such (my hair is about a FOOT longer than in my publicity photo - the one used here) and my Dad is a professional photographer, for pete's sake!
Thanks for letting me share the good news, and I apologize for not contributing much to this forum lately.
x 10
Linda Nelson
Administrator's Note: "Spring Bud" can be seen here http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...&threadid=2657
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