O.K. here I go

[Michele Rushworth]

Linda, it's been exhilarating to watch your progress over the past year or so on the Forum, both in the quality of your work and the growth of your business. You've certainly jumped in with both feet and made tremendous progress in a short time.

Can you tell me: what sort of shows are you in? Are these outdoor art shows in your area? Also, what type of local representation are you setting up? I wasn't aware of any portrait agents in that part of the country.

And finally, you wrote that "International Magazine" will be publishing a portrait. Did you mean "International Artist Magazine"? If so, a big congratulations to you! How did that come about?

[Linda Nelson]

Meera,

Yes it's really tough to work another job and get time to paint, but as you show, where there's a will there's a way. I found getting myself committed to an art fair booth was an ENORMOUS motivator, and I'd suggest you get into one, even though it seems so terrifying (it was and is still for me too). If you know of some shows in the area, go check them out and then sign up for next year if it's the right one for you. We have a large state fair art competition and I found entering into that was as rewarding. Don't try to do more than one show. Should things not go well, then you can learn from it for the next one down the line, yet still pat yourself on the back for putting yourself out there.

Michele,

Thanks so much - this forum has been so encouraging. Isn't it fun to be in a field where the people are so nice! That's one of the main things that inspire me about this site and about the PSOA - what an honor to work amongst such sincerely passionate and nice people like you. So to get a thumbs up from the group(s) is all the more meaningful.

Yes it's Intl Artist Magazine. On the suggestion of a friend who had done the same, I simply looked for the guy while at the PSOA convention, approached him with my portfolio, and right there he "ordered" one to be sent for publication and explained the parameters of the text I needed to send with it. That was cool.

The representation I'm going for here is not with a typical gallery. It with a firm specializing in providing artwork to residential and corporate spaces. They have a team of sales people and I'm sure a much larger database of prospects than I could ever amass. I let you know how it works out. I'm skeptical of working with agencies, yet I know a handful of people who wouldn't work any other way.

You're right Michele, I don't think there's any portrait agencies around here. Minnesota is not big into portraits, and the prices one can charge are not at all like in other parts of the US (I don't think at least). So I 'm doing work in a place that's not an obvious slamdunk. That's what also keeps me worried about the future, oh well.

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Dear Linda,

You can stop worrying now. Really !

Joan