[Tom Edgerton]

Michele's got good advice here, but I've found that like everything else, most publications would rather get the material electronically. You can send the release, with jpegs of you (professionally shot of course) and a painting, as Jeff suggests.

Set up a data file of e-mail addresses for every pub within a fifty mile radius, at least. Don't forget broadcast media as well--I got a nice little TV profile from a local channel off of a press release really intended for print coverage.

Once the data file is created, it's really easy to roll out a release on whatever's happening, because you don't have to create hard copies of the release, the photos, etc. Or lick stamps and schlep everything to the post office. Of course it's less expensive too.

Just make sure you keep current data on the recipients--who's the art or lifestyle editor, and so forth, and their proper e-mail addresses.

Good luck!