[Helen Fraser]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your supportive comments regarding my ideas re selling portraits under my Home to heART portrait package plan.  Today I got my first commission for an embroidered pet portrait, the most gorgeous puppy called Oliver!  And on Wednesday I am talking to my friend who has arranged a presentation at an Aged Care Facility so that I can show my work and talk about opportunities to residents and their families for my portrait packages.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be doing this a month ago!  Having read Cristas latest info about the Working Artist Kit, I feel more confident to put together my support materials for this talk which will happen late November I imagine, on return from my holiday to Tasmania.  I plan to work on a plan for this before I go on holiday on Friday, so that I can be well prepared on return.  I will continue to let you know what happens as this unfolds.  And thanks again!!    Helen XX

 

[Helen Fraser]

Hi Michal,

I got into my next solo exhibition by emailing the gallery owner who followed up to make an appointment.  I took in samples of my work which she loved and she offered me an exhibition on the spot.  I think it helped that she knew the woman where I have work on consignment in a nearby town, which I mentioned in my second email.  She was the first gallery I had shown this new work too, which she appreciated as well.  Other solo gallery opportunities have been through a formal submission process.  The biggest thing that has helped with that has been having professional photos taken of my work since art school, having this documentation there and ready.  Group exhibition opportunities have come through Instagram, getting involved in community art projects and through other artist friends.

I must admit that as an emerging artist moving to mid career in some situations (fourth solo next year, planning to do two per year from here, doing community projects regularly and building an new portraiture arm of my business) that I have been pretty careful not to approach galleries that are out of my league.  That are more focused on solid mid-career artists.  Though I’m starting to wonder about this….am I waiting too long?   I’m thinking it is good to be steady and patient and build the relationships over time.  I’m interested in your thoughts.

Helen