I am impressed with all the warm and supportive posts here. Thanks again Joan. You gave an excellent idea about NOT telling prices but trying to get a meeting. I totally understand what you mean. After all, the woman who called has seen my card on a memoboard with a (detail of) ONE painting on it. She might or might not have looked at my website. Seeing originals is always a different experiences compared to seeing things on the web. I so wish she'll call back....
Thanks for your encouragement on the auction commission. with 'making photos' I meant 'taking photos' I suppose (my English....forgive me it is not my mother tongue).
I donated (to a children's charity in the UK) a portrait commission in september and only heard from the auction winners last week. The couple want their two children painted ( I donated a single portrait, so they've upgraded and will pay me the difference). No time for sittings, so photos will have to do. They had a few photos for me to look at, but I told them they were not sharp enough. They said they will take some more when they have the kids together (one is in boarding school so hard to get hold of). I offered to take the photos myself (I would prefer that) and they'd keep it in mind. I am now going to wait for whatever they come up with and see if I can work from that. I realised during my visit (not much experience here
) that they (as your former clients) knew nothing about the whole thing and I could have been much more confident and insistent on what I want and need.
I'll post my work as soon as I have something!
Thanks again for your kind encouragement.