Simulgasp at the unveiling

Lisa Ober · 08-25-2005, 12:32 AM

Hi!

I started this in the WIP section and I hope this is where actual unveiling pictures from an event belong as this was a small milestone for me. I thought I would share these with you as I always enjoy seeing other unveilings. Before I go on I must thank the MANY people here who helped me through this painting with their guidance and encouragment. You all are insanely selfless.

I feel more comfortable now that the recipient of the portrait has recieved the painting to tell a bit more about the portrait. I was hired by a committee from a company called Centric Group here in St. Louis to paint a portrait for the 30th anniversary of the CEO as a gift to him from the company. They asked that he be painted alongside the founders of the parent company (this is where it gets good and sounds better) which is Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Big company! Exciting commission. The man in the center is the CEO and honoree. The gentleman to the left is the founder of Enterprise and the gentleman on the right is his son and the current CEO. They are wonderful and gracious people. How I lucked out getting this I will never know but it has been an experience I will not soon forget.

I was invited to the anniversary celebration along with many executives of the company and family members expecting that the portrait unveiling would play a minor role. To my utter shock, the portrait was the focal point of the evening! Talk about nerves. I have never had a formal unveiling for a painting in my whole life. There we were, roughly 100 people in a beautiful golf club when the committee chairman called me from the crowd to introduce me. My knees wobbled. Following that, the velvet fabric that covered the painting was lifted and all I could think was, "What if someone asks who the guys in the painting are." LOL. Potential nightmare. I held my breath, the "curtain" went up and all I heard were the gasps of 100 people followed by applause. I told a friend of mind it was like a simulgasp (to coin a new word meaning simultaneous gasp). Once the blood came back to my face I felt better. They were very pleased and I didn't pass out.

Below is a photo of the final piece as well as some photos from the event which brought me more business already! Hooray. My hot tip of the week would be to seek out an opportunity, even on a smaller scale, to have an unveiling party for your paintings. It offers excellent exposure, a great way to meet people including potential clients, tests your cardio-health, and is a darn good exercise in public appearances.

Thank you for indulging me. It was certainly the highlight of my month if not the year.

Molly Sherrick Phifer · 08-25-2005, 07:45 AM

I can't tell you how elated I feel for you. This was a well deserved commission and opportunity for you. I trust that the effects of the positive exposure will long be a source for new connections and commissions for you. This is phenomenal news! Movin' up to the big time!

I hope you have scribed a press release for this event. You'll get a lot of mileage out of it. Send it out to any and all media in the area as well as galleries and make full color presentation sheets for yourself to add to a package for future corporate work. You can do it!

By the way, you look maahvelous! How old are you really? 22?

Lisa Ober · 08-25-2005, 08:29 AM

Molly,

Ahhh. You are such a nice person. Yes, it was an important commission. I received a phone call about donig more for the guy on the right so I am meeting him Friday. That was such a pleasant surprise. Yipeee!

Doing an "unveiling" seems to be great PR. I think your advice is awesome about a press release but in this case the people are quite private and I feel uncomfortable taking advantage. Does that make sense? I will of course include the commission in other promotional pieces as you suggested.

You must be psychic. I am 22 1/2. Okay, I lied. Double that and add lots of wrinkles. Thank you for the compliment. I'm running with that one. I think I'll tell my husband he's married to a young chick.

You're a sweetie. Thanks for being so supportive.

Allan Rahbek · 08-25-2005, 08:29 AM

Lisa,
Congratulations!
Molly said it so well. You got to use this event to the full.!!!

Nice pictures from the unveiling, they show us that the clients got all they could ever dream of.

Allan

Lisa Ober · 08-25-2005, 08:37 AM

Allan, thank you so much. I hope I didn't frustrate you too much in the WIP section for this one. I value your opinion highly and followed almost every single thing you said as much as I was capable. Thank you so much for all the great information.

The unveiling made me very nervous since about 100 people were there and it could have been tragic, but now that it's over I highly recommend doing it.

Thanks again, Allan.

Sharon Knettell · 08-25-2005, 10:06 AM

Lisa,

Congratulations on the well deserved kudos. What a great opportunity and exciting evening.

I once brought two portraits down to Newport. My husband and I carried them in. The wife, a tall aloof blond said, "oh that's us, put them over there." That's it! The paintings were a result of months of work and over 7' tall.

I heard they love them and are up.

Linda Brandon · 08-25-2005, 10:09 AM

Lisa, congratulations! I really enjoyed reading this and I'm so happy for you. This is really going to help your business plan.

Jean Kelly · 08-25-2005, 10:57 AM

Big congratulations, Lisa! The painting turned out beautifully, I watched all the developments and admire your tenacity. The background is just luscious.

Jean

Heidi Maiers · 08-25-2005, 11:10 AM

Thanks for sharing your unveiling story with us Lisa!
Gosh, I got all exited for you just reading about it. Must have been quite a spectacular evening for you. You go girl!

Claudemir Bonfim · 08-25-2005, 01:13 PM

Congrats Lisa,

You made a wonderful job.

Thanks for sharing that with us.