The Portrait Market

[Linda Nelson]

Living in Minnesota, I receive most of my commissions in the summer - that 's when I exhibit, and that's when most people a have the time (and most would prefer a summer setting for their paintings). Normally at this time of year I have finished all my commissions and am running on financial fumes until the cycle starts again. 2008 for me however was the strongest year I've ever had, and I still have multiple commissions to finish and even begin. I even have clients for which I'm finishing one project ask to begin a second and third. I did have a few prospects last year decide to delay going forward because of the economy, and some who went forward said this was there one and only indulgence for some time to come. Since much of the economic scare hit "code red" only since fall, I am very curious to know how this summer will fare, and would expect people to be much more skittish.