Hi
Gosh, this is an old thread. I had not noticed it was brought back to life as I changed my email address and only check the old one once in a blue moon. But I updated my details on this site so I should now get notice of new posts. Sorry, I have just not been around.
Its interesting to read this thread again. It reminds me of my 'situation' 4 years ago and its interesting to re-read all the great advice here. A lot of it I can use all over again I am afraid.
4 Years ago I did loads of marketing, with your help and suggestions. I printed off cards, flyers, did the charity auction portrait I referred to earlier (clients loved the painting!) etc etc. Spent a fortune on a good printer and all the printing supplies. It paid back very little. No follow up commissions on any of my sales.
In the past 3 years I had my two children so my painting had to take a step back. Funnily I did manage to do a whole load of graphite portraits via a baby-forum on the internet. Got some follow up commissions from that as well. Good stuff. I did not market myself big time so it all went quiet again.
This summer I took up my pastels and brushes again and started painting like mad. Had planned to build a body of work that was good enough to take to galleries. Am still trying to do that. But in the mean time a few of these works sold (to the parents of the child in the painting, who were so kind to let me paint their kid) (one sold in an open exhibition) so my 'body of work' is still not big enough to go knock on galleries doors.
I found in the past that printing my own reproductions (giclees), greeting cards etc just does not work out. It costs loads and loads of time and hassle - time better spent painting.
I've just finished two commissions and sold a few paintings so feel like I am on a roll again. I plan to order some postcards from a printing company and use those to hand out and leave at shops, toddler groups and schools. With two small children I just don't have the time to design and print it myself. I try to grab every spare minute to paint!
So, marketing remains a BIG challenge.
I still aim to create some paintings that might be attractive to galleries (not many galleries sell children in art) and that keeps me going and helps me to develop my work. I hand out cards whenever I find a new toddler group to go with my own children but am aware that I don't want to come across as pushy.
So, this is where I am at now.
Thanks again for all the great advice. Its worth reading and re-reading and adjusting my methods now and then.
I better get some more cards and start marketing again......
Sophie
www.sophieploeg.com
Hybrid Mode
