SOG mentioned in BusinessWeek

Cynthia Daniel · 12-20-2002, 11:49 AM

I haven't seen the article yet, but Stroke of Genius is mentioned in the December 16 issue as a portrait resource in an article called Turn the Family into High Art. If any of you have a copy, look it up and tell me if there's anything more than that in there. BusinessWeek is sending me off a couple of copies since I missed it on the newsstand.

Mary Sparrow · 12-20-2002, 03:47 PM

Hi Cynthia,

I'm looking at the copy now, the subtitle is "How to pick a portrait painter". It goes on to say that portraits generally start around 3k for head and shoulders, although 5-12k is more the norm with a family portrait being between 15-35k. It states how to find an artist that fits your budget by asking friends, galleries or the internet, via sites like a Stroke of Genius or ASOPA.

The article goes on to name some of the more notable artists, and how to find one that not only fits your wallet, but your expectations.

Hope that helps!

Cynthia Daniel · 12-20-2002, 05:17 PM

Thanks, Mary. Yours was the first response and then Mari DeRuntz found the article and emailed me the whole thing. I like that Stroke of Genius was mentioned first in the article!

Here is the full article online for anyone who would like to read it:

http://businessweek.com/magazine/con...0/b3812134.htm

Jean Kelly · 12-20-2002, 07:40 PM

Impressive!

Jean

Mike McCarty · 12-21-2002, 10:55 AM

This issue has already been taken off the shelves locally. If someone could post the cover of the issue that would be swell. I would like to print it out and include the cover and the article as a part of my portfolio presentation.

Cynthia Daniel · 12-21-2002, 12:23 PM

Mike,

I'm not clear why you would want to include that in your portfolio...please enlighten me.

Michael Fournier · 12-21-2002, 02:14 PM

Cynthia I think this article is a great eye opener for many people about portrait art. I think I would not mind a copy as well. (I saved the web page as a PDF) Why? Well the way the author refers to the prices for one. Many people who think of having a portrait painted have no idea that $3500 is cheap to them it seems expensive.

Most non artist have never even heard of artist like Nelson Shanks or Richard Schmid And have no idea that artist like this have years long waiting lists and charge more then the cost of a small home in many areas of the country, for a portrait.

This article could help educate potential buyers that by commissioning a lesser know but skilled artist to paint their portrait they can have that oil portrait they want and get it within a few months and for about the cost of a big screen TV or a used car, not the cost of their house.

If I say the same thing it sounds self serving but from a independent source like Business Week I think it carries more weight.

I grew up in a very affluent town in CT and many homes there where filled with antiques, oriental rugs, top of the line custom kitchens. But what hung on the walls

Cynthia Daniel · 12-21-2002, 02:37 PM

Good points, Michael. Yes, I see the article could serve as a general education tool.

Mike McCarty · 12-21-2002, 03:44 PM

Thanks Michael, my thoughts exactly. It seems to give credible weight to my [seemingly] biased arguments.

Michele Rushworth · 12-21-2002, 08:29 PM

The fact that both Businessweek and Vogue Magazine ran articles about portraiture within the last year bodes well for our industry. (Vogue ran a piece on what to wear when you have your portrait painted in their March, 2002 issue.)

Both articles took the approach that, of course, everyone would want to get a portrait painted and their focus was on HOW to do it, not whether it was something that one should do.

I see tremendous marketing value in both these articles and I plan on putting at least excerpts from both of them in my promotional materials.

It's no surprise to me that SOG warranted mention in the Businessweek article. Aside from the quality and range of the artists represented, I firmly believe that Cynthia has created the most beautifully designed site I have ever seen on the web! I am tremendously proud to have my work included on it.