Donate a judical portrait?

Vianna Szabo · 05-01-2006, 02:29 PM

Hi everyone.

Several years ago I did a portrait for a judge as a surprise gift for his wife and he was very pleased with the painting. A year and a half ago he had me come to the courthouse to go through the county's collection of judicial portraits with the idea that he and several other judges would like to have portraits painted of some of the newly retired judges. Again they were very pleased with what I presented and was told they were interested but it was going to take a long time to get this process going. Since then I have done two charcoal portraits for his conference room but the only mention of the portraits for the courtrooms are that it will happen sometime.

I am pondering offering to do one judicial oil portrait to be hung in the courthouse for the cost of materials and framing. I would place limitations on the size and complexity of the portrait. and a time limit where I could begin the portrait this summer before teaching resumes in the fall. I have several reasons for doing this:
1 .My portfolio is full of children, teens, and models and I would like to add something adult and professional.
2. The Michigan economy is very bleak and commissions are down right now and this could open up another market for me.
3. The judge is a great guy but a bit spacey. Perhaps this would jump start the process for more portraits.

I would be interested to hear any ones thoughts or experiences with this matter.

Thanks
Vianna Szabo

Michele Rushworth · 05-01-2006, 03:08 PM

Great idea.

Vianna Szabo · 05-01-2006, 03:18 PM

I'm glad you think so Michelle. I ran this idea by an artist friend of mine who was afraid I would be selling myself short but it is much cheaper than running ads and I would rather be painting than not.

Vianna

Richard Monro · 05-01-2006, 05:38 PM

it is a great marketing idea. Once you are on the wall so to speak, you can write to the other judges, show them your portrait in a photo and them offer to paint their official portrait when they desire to do so. I bet you get more than one taker.

Vianna Szabo · 05-01-2006, 09:09 PM

I like how you think Richard. That's an excellent idea!

Chris Saper · 05-01-2006, 11:10 PM

Vianna, there doesn't seem to be any downside here. The main pitfall is that people might tend to value your work for its cost.

Nonetheless, it is a great opportunity for you to publicly establish the way you want to work. Do it now, because a free portrait carries no demands. Then you can set yourself up to paint in the future just what you want.

Vianna Szabo · 05-02-2006, 01:11 PM

Thanks for the support Chris. I really respect your business sense and I'm going to send the letter this afternoon.