Ada Krafft Fine Art Trust

03-20-2000, 08:54 AM

Has anyone heard of the Ada Krafft Fine Art Trust? They have approached me about working with them on some portrait projects. I cannot find a web site or phone listing for them and the wording of the email is vague. The Development Director is Peter Boyle, and they are located in Palatine, IL. I am a member of the Stroke of Genuis web site gallery, and art professional for 16 yrs., but have not heard of them. Word of any dealings with them, good or bad, would be appreciated. Thanks.

03-20-2000, 11:33 AM

(from Cynthia Daniel, owner Stroke of Genius)

Shelley,

Following is what they wrote me back when I asked for more info. But, it still seems rather vague to me and I'm a little uncomfortable. I'd inquire a whole lot more before getting involved. They may be okay, but I question why they don't have a web site for one thing. That in itself lends some crediblity. But, even if they suddenly got a web site, I'd still question more.

Earlier, we had Indulge Magazine actively pursuing artists on Stroke of Genius and the few artists who participated had very negative things to say and would never advertise with them again. So, demand that they prove themselves in any way you can think of.

Here is their email to me with my comments in red:

Thanks for getting back to us. As we said in the e-mail we are looking to find several artists to partner with over the next 12 to 18 months. (do they require exclusivity and what are the time demands...what happens to your career development in the meantime if they do require exclusivity?)

At this time we are looking to fill 6 positions on our delivery team to fulfill demand for portrait work coming to us from our sources. (is this an employee situation?)

The result we seek to attain with our artist partners is to make the name and the works widely known and furnish an abundance of new clients who want your work. (why? what's in it for them? or they looking for a permanent representation relationship? if so,what is their background in this? have they worked with portraiture before?)

We provide to our contact base several services. Some of these bring together the works of fine artists with our contacts. As such, our list of clients and contacts with whom we work is absolutely proprietary and confidential. This is our equity. (how have they created this contact base? what are the demographics of it? how do they know if there are portrait buyers in it? how long have they been in business?)

(We are not agents.) In fact, what we are doing is a totally new method of bringing artists' works into the marketplace. Our role is the liaison between the artist and our contact base. To give you an idea of the magnitude of our outreach, in any given quarter, we can introduce one's works minimally to 500 - 1,000 prospective buyers. Artists who work with us have their works sold and elevate their profile and the value of their works in the marketplace.(all easy to say...what proof do they have? do they have artist references they can give? advertising on the net or in a magazine would bring much more exposure than that.)

What is needed by us if one were to be involved further, is a proposal that would describe the following:

1) Your most competitive price to deliver portrait art work with the
assumption of no marketing cost built into the production of the work i.e., just labor and materials ;

2) The maximum production you feel you could complete in a week, month, year;

3) The size of the portrait work and materials used.

This need not be elaborate and can be done via e-mail. We are going to
select those who can deliver a balance of both quantity and quality at a competitive price point in exchange for substantial exposure and numbers of contracted portraits.

If you have any further questions please let us know.

Cynthia Daniel
Owner, Stroke of Genius