Those brokers... where are the doors and how deep can I put a foot?

[Debra Jones]

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?

[Michele Rushworth]

To work with the agencies, an artist does need to apply during their normally scheduled times for reviewing portfolios.

At one of the portrait conferences several years ago I remember a panel member saying that the agencies aren't looking for a diamond in the rough, they're looking for one that is already polished and pretty much perfect, one that they can sell right away. That's still true.

With the slow economy I'm not sure how many new artists they'll be taking on this year. One of my artist friends who's doing utterly fantastic work and has many beautiful portfolio samples was rejected without explanation this year. It's difficult, and sometimes it comes down to timing.

Even though attending the Portrait Society conference may seem financially out of reach, what you learn there will repay you many times over. The organized sessions, the panel discussions and especially the mealtime and after hours networking that goes on in the hotel are all very much worthwhile. Come with a long list of questions. Bring your portfolio to the portfolio review line. You'll be glad you attended.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Originally Posted by Debra Jones

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.

Debra, I echo what Michele says. She gave me good advice when I was rejected from portrait brokers a couple of years back.

I would reiterate that it is very important to try and get to the Portrait Society conference. Speaking of timing, why don't you call the PSA tomorrow? They do offer scholarships to the conferences.