Best tips on how to get started getting commissions

Mark Branscum · 09-19-2002, 10:39 PM

I have heard different ones say what galleries like and don't like, their feelings re: portraiture vs. figurative.

So, I pose this question: how did you do it? How did you get your first commissions - did you have to pay someone a percentage like a broker or did you launch another way?

Mark

Mari DeRuntz · 09-19-2002, 11:15 PM

Everyone will have a unique answer to this question. Here is mine.

I've worked in restaurants in a quaint resort town (west coast, FL) for 10 years. No matter the cuisine, they all have one common denominator -- lots of empty wall space. Where I live, it's very common for restauranteurs to link up with local artists. It's a mutually beneficial package: the restaurants get "real art" on the wall without a capital investment, and the artist gets a "one man show" with a smaller commission expense than going through an art consultant and certainly fewer hurdles than going through a gallery. Of course I'm talking fine dining, where the client is already focused to a certain demographic, the one you would market as a portrait/general artist.

There are important factors to consider, of course, and a contract should include provisions for theft, damage, mysterious losses. Perhaps the only reasonable protection from vague losses is an insurance policy along the lines of one Peggy Baumgaertner suggested in one of her posts on this Forum (use your Forum search if you're interested), but because I know the restaurant business in this town so intimately, I haven't had to bother with anything catastrophic, YET.

So, in summary, I hang six to ten paintings, with labels, in several restaurants. I cut the servers a percentage of the commission - a great motivator, and again, much cheaper than the fees charged by galleries or agencies. I install the art myself so it's hung at the correct height, and provide business cards and brochures.

The paintings will sell, and people will call for commissions.

I am curious what works for everyone else.

Sandy Barnes · 09-20-2002, 07:17 AM

Mark,

I do antique shows. Actually, I share a booth with a jeweler and appraise jewelry (my real job), but will be taking my paintings for the first time this weekend. Because I have adopted the "old master" style of painting I think they will work well. I had a banner made and did nice postcards with my name and a picture on the front and my price list on the reverse. The paintings will hang from our pole and drape backdrop which is usually bare.

This weekend is the first big show in the Tampa Bay area in about three years. I also go to the Scott antique show in Atlanta every month, which would be a great venue for portrait painters. This show has something like 1500-1800 vendors and not a single portrait artist among them! The south (especially Atlanta) is big on portraiture. Booth rent is relatively inexpensive and the foot traffic is heavy. I see lots of old (many are bad or damaged) paintings with hefty prices on them and they sell! Thursday is set-up day but also open to the public, this is when the designers come. I would imagine they are always on the look-out for talent. It's probably the next best thing to advertising in Veranda or Southern living. We sell BIG diamonds (5 - 10 Ct. is not unusual -- so the show-going public has huge disposable incomes).

Atlanta is not far from you. Come and see me at the Scott show, I am in the front row of the South building.

Mark Branscum · 09-20-2002, 11:46 AM

Sandy,

What interesting ideas! I would love to see the pamphlet you made, think you could scan it? Or mail me one?

I would love to come to see you, but I can't this weekend - I am tied up, have family coming from out of state and they have plans for me of some kind, think it might be a surprise so I'll let them surprise me.

But please keep me informed, put me on your mailing list if you have one. I would love to meet you and see your work firsthand.

I just love this Forum and being an artist, it's like belonging to or having another happy family that shares interest and love the art.

Mark

Sandy Barnes · 09-22-2002, 07:39 AM

Mark,

Sorry for the confusion. I am in Tampa Bay this weekend. The Scott show (in Atlanta) is the second weekend of each month. I will be there on the weekend of Oct. 12th next. First row in the south building (There are 2 buildings).

I will send you my card. Email your address to me. I did it with PowerPoint and printed it on card stock from Office Depot. Looks pretty good for a rush job, but I will finesse it for future cards. It has done the trick, I have had overwhelming response so far!

Oh, BTW, I am promoting pet portraiture, not people. In Atlanta we wouldn't be competitors!

Rebecca Willoughby · 09-22-2002, 11:10 PM

Sandy,

I will be in Atlanta the weekend of the 12th of October! My aunt lives in Lawrenceville and I have a commission to go photograph at Stone Mountain that weekend. Where is the Scott show? If I have time I may come visit.

Rebecca

Sandy Barnes · 09-23-2002, 07:09 AM

Rebecca,

It is south Atlanta, near the airport. It is called Forest Park. I don't remember the exit number, but will ask my partner (and driver) and get back to you with directions.

I would love to see any SOG members who can come by!

Mari,

I also do a few shows in Sarasota. The November show that I usually do conflicts with our new show in Tampa Bay, so I won't be there this time, but there are two others (can't remember the dates). They are held at the auditorium on 41 (looks like a Quonset hut). All of the $$$$ people of Sarasota attend. November show is the third weekend, go by and see it.

Mari DeRuntz · 09-23-2002, 09:29 AM

I'd love to go, keep me posted!

Enzie Shahmiri · 09-29-2002, 11:21 AM

Hi Mark!

Although this was posted a while ago I will tell you the things I have tried. I have joined several local art associations and try to participate in any show that attracts the public. My work, along with brochures and business cards is on display several times a year at the local libraries and community centers. I did fund raisers and I have also post cards and sell them to just about everyone who is interested.

NOW, you might think "WAU" this lady is ambitious, but all I seem to be doing is a lot of hauling. To tell you the truth I get a lot of people standing in front of my work with positive comments, but absolutely no buyers.

I went online and found artists who work in a similar style as mine and after collecting hundreds of prices for various sizes came up with an average rate to charge. After that didn't work I really reduced the prices and still nothing!

All I can say to you is "Hang in there!" I know people like my work otherwise they wouldn't stand in front of it for 5 minutes and ask me tons of questions. In this economy everybody seems to watch what they spend a little closer and I guess for many a portrait is a true luxury.

So to make a long story short, there are different venues you might try to get your work noticed. Good luck!