Where to go? How to reach my potential clients?

[Sophie Ploeg]

Hello all.
I love this site and all its wonderful info, especially since it is all focused on portraiture. I have not posted much, but I sure do enjoy the wonderful paintings and all the advice others get.

I am a bit stuck on marketing. I could really do with some honest advice.

I mostly enjoy painting portraits/people. I do other stuff as well, but portraits are my 'thing'. I've had some commissions in the past year (the year I've been serious about my art). Now I want to expand, market, market, market.

But how? And Where? There are not many art fairs around here. Quite a few antique fairs, but after visiting some, I don't think I'd fit between the old clocks and silverware.

I am not sure if I'd should knock on gallery doors as I have yet to find a gallery around here that displays (and sells) portraits. But maybe one of them is open minded....new paths...?

I've got business cards, a website, a pocket sized and a large portfolio, greeting cards. I can print whatever I want. But I don't know who to send it to/give it to.

The only way I think might work is going to shops (children's shops) and ask if they want to put up some of my paintings. I can join local art groups (I am with one, which is filled with retired hobbiests...nothing against that...but might not be my market) and exhibit with them. Will do that certainly, but it takes time as they usually only have exhibits once a year.

I tell myself that the people who have gotten my cards are now pondering over a commission. After all, most people would not commission an artist every day of the week. They need to think about it. Maybe I am just impatient (would not surprise me...)

Who's got more ideas on how I can reach my market. I wonder where people go who are thinking about commissioning a portrait. I don't think they go to galleries. Where do they find their artists? That's where I want to be. On a hopeful note: in my research of the local art scene and all, I have not found (m)any portrait artists and hence I hope there is a market for me out there.

Any tips on how to market myself....I would deeply appreciate them!!

I work in pastels. Plans to start using oils are growing....

Thank you very much. Sorry for the long post....