Opportunity or Folly?
A very visible local public figure is retiring this year. I've been toying with the idea of donating a portrait to the town in honor of his retirement. Figure I could get some local press coverage/increased public awareness, a painting hung in a very visible public location, and a corporate type painting for my portfolio out of the deal... but am not sure if this is a good idea? (Along the lines of 'don't be giving your art away'). There is not a history of public portraiture in this case, so there is no reason to anticipate that they would otherwise be commissioning a portrait. Is this a good idea, or not? If others have done anything similar, are there pitfalls I should be careful to avoid?
Am on the fence. . .
|