O.K. here I go - Page 2

Linda Nelson · 06-22-2003, 10:51 PM

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Juan Martinez · 06-23-2003, 09:45 AM

Dear Linda,

First of all, congratulations! I'm sure you are full of equal amounts excitment and trepidation. But, it sounds to me as if you're doing all the right things.

I love the large frame on the central painting seen in the photo of your booth. I look forward to seeing a bigger image of that painting (the child on the tree limb) on your website, too.

Speaking of which, when did your website "go live"? If it was on Friday or on the weekend, it is possible that it simply has not yet "propogated" throughout the Internet. That can often take a few days, depending upon the hosting service, geographical location, and a few other factors. If it was supposed to have been "live" longer ago than that, you might wish to contact your hosting company to see what's what because it should be up-and-running after no more than 3 days or so (maybe weekends don't count, though,I don't know). In any event, I'll keep me eyes open for it.

Best of everything.

Juan

Mari DeRuntz · 06-23-2003, 10:18 AM

Juan, Here's a link to the painting you're referring to.

Linda, thank you for posting the photos of your booth, and congratulations.

Linda Nelson · 06-23-2003, 08:09 PM

Wow Juan, thaks so much for the enthusiasm. I was just admiring your fabulous award painting last week. I love its fresh lighting/compositional treatment.

As for the website, to confess I think what happened is that I lost the credit card I had on autopay about a month ago, and forgot to update them with the new number (sometimes I think I'm practicing to be the village idiot in my next life).

Mari - your are soooooo nice to have taken the time to post the link. Looking forwrad to meeting you someday (hopefully this year in Sarasota).

Linda

Richard Huante · 06-23-2003, 10:44 PM

Linda,

Congratulations! You must be very excited. Best wishes on your adventurous (and rewarding, I'm sure!) road ahead....

Meera Bakshi · 05-24-2004, 09:42 PM

Linda, very much impressed with your work. Surely we would like to see individual photos of your paintings. Your jumping into Pro from part-time is an inspiring event! surely it requires a great deal of courage to do what you have done! Congratulations and wish you all the BEST.
Meera Bakshi

Linda Nelson · 05-24-2004, 10:15 PM

Thanks Meera

It's coming up on a year now that I've been Pro. Business from last years' shows went well for me. In a few weeks I'll be doing the first of 4 shows this summer, and to be honest I'm terrified. But I was last year as well, so hopefully it's just needless worry.
I was able to go to the PSOA convention a few weeks ago, and got some great feedback from my portfolio, and International Magazine will be publishing a portrait. Back home here in MN, I 'm in the final stage of getting representation, and I've hired a designer to put togther comprehensive marketing materials.
I wish I could say that I'm a well behaved entrepreneur, but the negatives are that I've gained at least 10lbs from that **** refrigerator being soooooo close, and napping when I get bored or frustrated. Oh well.

I'm especially am grateful that I have a career that gives me more time with my son Alex. From that perspective I've been very happy with everything.

Joan Breckwoldt · 05-24-2004, 10:51 PM

Dear Linda,

I just saw this thread now that it has come up again under 'new posts' and I want to add my congratulations! And also, WOW! You are so talented, I think you have a real gift for composition. The portrait of your son on the staircase that I admired just a few days ago under the thread about type and the portrait of the little girl in the tree (your daughter?) are wonderful.

It was so much fun and so inspiring to find this thread with your first post of just 'launching' yourself and now a year has passed and I can read about all your successes!

You must love doing the shows because it sounds as though you are keeping busy enough without them. (?)

I am surprised to read that you are still, what word did you use, nervous (?) about upcoming shows. I think you obviously have a talent for problem solving and any commission that comes along is just another challenge with problems to be solved. And, from your website and the photos of your booth, you have a gift for meeting the challenges in portraiture. And not just meeting them, your truly excel at portraiture. I think a lot of thought must go into each portrait to make it unique, though I'm betting a lot of that must come naturally for you.

I hope you'll post some more photos of your booths this summer!

Joan

Linda Nelson · 05-24-2004, 11:32 PM

Wow Joan... you have just floored me. How sweet of you to take the time to say such nice, encouraging things.

You know the saying " the more answers you get the more questions you have", well I feel like I've learned so much about painting this year, yet remain I so far from what I don't know yet. Is also difficult (but rewarding) in the midst of that to sort of what personal style I want to guard. It can make one bipolar!

That was so nice to read your email. What a pick-me-up.

May I say by the way to anyone who is intimidated by the whole thing but really wants to be out there doing portraiture for hire that - push yourself to get public with your work, get used to dealing with your artwork in the public eye. If you get work great, if you don't you, ask yourself "what isn't communicating". Change it, but don't sell yourself.

Thanks again Joan, really

Meera Bakshi · 05-24-2004, 11:51 PM

Yes, it's rather easy to paint portraits than to be our own PRO and get the business! With a young child if you could achieve this much, you have a great career ahead, I am sure. I have been painting since childhood and I can say, one has to have a burning desire to achieve perfaction in whatever one does to achieve excellence. I would be inerested how you co-ordinated the shows. My family members and friends suggest me to have a booth at the mall so that people can see my work, but somehow I feel nervous doing all by myself. Recently I have started devoting atleast one hour to painting no matter what and create my own collection of paintings. Till now I was working only on orders and have done 4-5 paintings per year since last 10 years. Working full time job does not leave me that much of time for my own painting work. That is why, to get more inspiration and like-interest friends around I have joined this forum.
Thanks to Cynthia to have such a wonderful site.
Thanks again, will keep in touch.
Meera Bakshi