Visitors' poll

[Patrice Hudson]

I actively log in and search the forum threads for answers to my questions about my portrait business. Just today I needed to know how to price giclees for a new corporate client. The help I have found in this forum has been invaluable and without it I would not have been able build my 4 year old business and long waiting list to where it is today. There is still so much I have to learn. I

[Chris Saper]

Dear Patrice,

SO many of us here face the same "mom" stuff that you do. We really get it. For those who don't have the perspective, it is huge.

I hope that you will feel welcome, and that there are many painters who are where you are,

I don't understand why the Critique Subforums are off limits to guests. It seems to me that this would be an excellent way to judge whether we feel our work is of a standard by which we could then apply for membership and participate.

The Critique section is also a terrific way to learn from other established artists, i.e., what to look for and especially, how to 'see'.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I don't understand why the Critique Subforums are off limits to guests. It seems to me that this would be an excellent way to judge whether we feel our work is of a standard by which we could then apply for membership and participate.

The Critique section is also a terrific way to learn from other established artists, i.e., what to look for and especially, how to 'see'.

Some members requested that the critiques area be password protected to keep out the search engines. They did not want their clients to potentially see their work being critiqued. Maybe there's a way for guests to be allowed in. I will check it out and report back. The password is right on the home page of the Forum.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I don't understand why the Critique Subforums are off limits to guests. It seems to me that this would be an excellent way to judge whether we feel our work is of a standard by which we could then apply for membership and participate.

The Critique section is also a terrific way to learn from other established artists, i.e., what to look for and especially, how to 'see'.

Actually, the critique sections are open to all. All you need to do is type in critique. That's the password!

Actually I am registered but haven't been here in ages and have forgotten my password and possibly my email has changed too. I'm not juried however and I believe when the jurying was instituted I had coincidentally stopped coming to the forum because of too many family issues. Then I had to get a job that took me away from painting almost entirely. I'm painting again but mostly landscapes.

The reason I came here today was to look up a topic that I knew was covered here. In the past I'd learned a tremendous amount here because of all the information freely shared and still appreciate that.

The reason I haven't applied to be juried is because I don't see how I would be able to be a full time professional portrait artist. It's very difficult to get any kind of commission - especially a portrait.

Bruce's idea of a paid critique section is great though!

Thanks,
Doreen E. Lepore
www.doreenelepore.com

[Julie Deane]

Doreen -

A few folks may be full-time professionals, but there are a lot of us struggling artists who work at other jobs to pay the bills.

[Chris Saper]

Julie, LOL, some of us FT professionals are struggling to pay bills too!

[Steven Sweeney]

Anyone who wishes to may correct me, but I think there may be as few as one or two professional portrait artists who are regular contributors here and who are also able to make a living at this alone. Some do teach art classes or conduct art workshops, but most are homemakers, involved parents, engineers, accountants, janitors (which includes perhaps the best classical realist in my area), musicians, truants, characters, psychologists, bus drivers, pundits and dilettantes. I could barely manage it myself but for marital assets (though the marriage hasn

[QUOTE=Julie Deane]Doreen -

A few folks may be full-time professionals, but there are a lot of us struggling artists who work at other jobs to pay the bills.[/QUOTE

Thanks Julie, Chris, Steve and Enzie for clearing that up - in that case I'll submit a few things for jurying and see what happens - I'll be trying to paint more in 2008 and hopefully that will include some portraits. My newest venture into professional picture framing might be an asset to people on the forum too.

Doreen E. Lepore
www.doreenelepore.com