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Idea
Hi Sophie,
I just read through all the posts on this thread and I thought I would throw in my idea. I am working on my first commission of a beautiful little girl, I want to tell you how I got it.
I was at my son's cub scout meeting and I saw the cutest 3 year old girl. I walked up to her mother and told her I was starting out in portraiture and I would love to paint her daughter. She was flattered and loved the idea, I went to her home a couple of weeks later, took some photos and now I'm just about done with the photo. I told her that if she didn't like the painting she was under no obligation to buy it. In fact, it was HER idea to buy the painting. I told her I was just trying to build a portfolio.
Once the painting is hanging in her home I'm sure I'll get other commissions from the people that see this one. Plus, she and her husband have a son . . . .
The church I belong to will show artists' work. Not all the artists that are featured even live in town so I'm sure not everyone that exhibits at our church are members. With the holidays approaching you might look into having a 'booth' at a Christmas or Holiday market of some sort, if your town has one. You could have some of your portraits displayed and brochures or cards to hand out.
Also, many schools and churches hold silent auctions and you could donate your services, or a portion of your services. It would be a way for a lot of people to see your work. These are all in my plans but with two kids I don't get that much time to paint.
The place that I take my kids to get their hair cut has had the SAME photographs (of children) up for YEARS! If I had some samples of my work I feel sure they would display it, and I would offer them a small percentage of any commissions I would get. There is also a lovely cafe in my neighborhood that is cafe/gift shop and the walls are usually covered with oil paintings for sale. A couple of portraits hanging in a place that is frequented by moms with disposable income can't miss. The portrait I'm working on now will be a Christmas gift for dad.
Since you mentioned you had read some of the other posts about this subject, you have probably read about the 'unveiling parties'. Seems to me that word of mouth is the best advertisement. After my current portrait is finished, I'll paint a couple more portraits and then have some kind of 'showing' - at church or I'm sure I could talk a friend into hosting a showing of my portraits at her house.
Good luck and I hope these ideas are helpful,
Joan
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