The Portrait Market

Judson Eneas · 02-21-2009, 08:49 PM

This Great Depression that has hit which is going to put half of The United States on the street; how badly has it affected and will it negatively affect the portrait painting market?

Debra Jones · 02-22-2009, 07:13 PM

I gave up the day job in June. Didn't make a penny in 4 months. In October, I geared up my animal portraits hard and constantly. I caught up with my bills and am paying things ahead. I got tired of waiting for the "Right people" to find me and listened to who was asking and what they were asking for. My sphere of influence is a much better place to start than trying to homestead in unknown territory.

I said yes to every opportunity, set out to make a lot of my own, and this is where they led.

I paint small and constantly and find I do a lot more promoting than producing, but the production is way up. Painting on spec is better for my soul, and it turns out, not hurting my pocketbook. BASICALLY I priced down by making my art smaller. The RATE is the same but the minis are selling much better.

Tammy Nielsen · 02-24-2009, 12:33 PM

Hi Debra,
Do you have some samples of your minis? I do minis too. Pets and portraits. Would love to see some of what you're doing. Thanks Tammy

Debra Jones · 02-24-2009, 12:47 PM

I started a blog and have a very good run at it. 95% are 5x7" watercolors.
http://dog-a-dayartblog.blogspot.com/

Carol Norton · 02-24-2009, 01:33 PM

Debra, your dogs from the park are fabulous.

Do you shoot the photos at the park and give the owners your card to contact you? (Don't worry, I don't plan to go to Scottsdale to do this, but not a bad idea for down my way!)

Debra Jones · 02-24-2009, 01:48 PM

I just have my camera with me. I shoot anywhere and anything. I tell people what I do and they can give me their info.

I don't start a commission unless they order it. I have my blog on my card and let them contact me. IF they see a dog on the blog they want to buy, it is the same price. I try to NOT paint a dog I know who the owner is, in case they do want to commission something. Often they will want a larger piece, so why undersell myself! If they are interested I don't give them the possibility of lifting the piece from the site.

I try to practice on as many different breeds as possible so if they ask, I can show them one. I don't really sell. They would kick me out of the park if I did. I make myself available and if they ask, I tell them.

Carol Norton · 02-24-2009, 02:41 PM

Thanks, Debra. Great ideas!

Debra Jones · 02-24-2009, 02:45 PM

I went to the Gilbert dog park a while back. It is a great place for big wet dogs. They have a lake and lots of room for splashing.

You may try after work. The kids like to run home in their high heels, grab the dog and go frolic, before they dress up to go out. Or so it seems here in Scottsdale!

Linda Nelson · 04-03-2009, 09:25 PM

Living in Minnesota, I receive most of my commissions in the summer - that 's when I exhibit, and that's when most people a have the time (and most would prefer a summer setting for their paintings). Normally at this time of year I have finished all my commissions and am running on financial fumes until the cycle starts again. 2008 for me however was the strongest year I've ever had, and I still have multiple commissions to finish and even begin. I even have clients for which I'm finishing one project ask to begin a second and third. I did have a few prospects last year decide to delay going forward because of the economy, and some who went forward said this was there one and only indulgence for some time to come. Since much of the economic scare hit "code red" only since fall, I am very curious to know how this summer will fare, and would expect people to be much more skittish.

John Crowther · 11-10-2013, 05:10 PM

Hello Debra,

I'm a long-time member here, but missed this thread when it appeared 4 years ago! I'd be interested to know how this is working out for you now. I looked at your blog (spectacular work, by the way!) and saw that you're still actively pursuing the pet paintings. I do pet paintings from time to time on commissions that come to me, but mainly oils, and have not pushed it aggressively since it is not cost effective for me. I can see where watercolor makes a lot more sense. I have one quick question - just a minor curiosity really - why 5x7 as opposed to slightly larger, 6x9 say? It seems to me that the labor and materials would come to about the same and the client might see it as a better deal. Or, it could be priced higher, perhaps $125. Again, just curious. And again, I love your work, the stylishness and the way you capture the dogs' personality and vitality.

John C