Marketing yourself?

[Patt Legg]

I have a rather lengthy question-not the question so much as setting it up.

I am in the rural part of a quaint small town. For many years it has been completely with nearly zero art related businesses. Dress shops, the usual shoe stores, etc. Finally, art is here and we actually have an art gallery. I painted in a local group for over 18 years beginning as all 6 of the others, a housewife raising a family and painting when we could. This group grew with the housewife image intact but others moving on and getting more serious about their art. I am one such person.

Next phase: this week I attended a luncheon/meeting in which it is presented that a handful of us (about 10) start Professionl Artist Group. Marketing is a full time difficult part of being an artist as we all know. I am known here locally as an artist in oils. The reading I have done and various people I have spoken to both show opposite opinions of this. One is that of not being taken seriously if you are always pushing the art group and saying you are a member of this. Second opinion is that of "sell yourself" market yourself. What do you think? Around here, it seems when you say to townspeople that you are a member of ---------- it is as if you have just told them that you gather for a quilting party. Not that it is a bad thing but how do you finally get taken seriously as an artist and professionally. I feel that I approach prospective clients professionally and they do indeed take me seriously. Could some of you tell me where you began your career and how you dealt with all of this? Is this Professionl Group a beginning; is it a good move?

Thanks and sorry for this lengthy thread.

Patt