By Glenn Nordyke

At a time in life when most people look forward to enjoying carefree days of retirement, I find myself savoring the challenge and excitement of a new career that fulfills my earliest ambitions. I have always wanted to be an illustrator or portrait artist. In fact, " in the olden days," after finishing college with a degree in engineering, (at my parents suggestion to insure against the insecurities of an art career) I enrolled at the Art Students League, in New York City. I studied illustration and life painting under the noted illustrator, Frank J. Reilly. Life in the city offered many exciting things for a southern boy, but marriage to a hometown girl and an enticing offer to work in a family controlled business brought us back south to a comfortable but mundane life.

Time passed too quickly. Employment for thirty-two years in the family business provided the needed financial security while raising my family, but sadly deprived me of artistic growth and the challenges of a career in art. I chose to retire early from my business, which gave me my freedom, but I then faced the problems of establishing myself in my new field as a portrait artist. Unfortunately, I had done very little painting over thirty years. I had attended no classes or workshops, and I had no reputation as an artist. I had not even a portfolio of work to show potential clients.

My numerous grandchildren provided me with subjects for my first sample portraits. A very supportive wife and a period of disciplined and concentrated work using these subjects, and others as models, provided me with my beginning portfolio. I found it helpful to immediately associate myself with local art groups and with ASOPA, knowing that associations with other active, successful artists would be an immediate avenue to fresh ideas and a way to rejuvenate lagging enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, we all know that artistic ability does not automatically bring clients to your door. To earn some degree of success, and to become known for your craft, you must take advantage of every available opportunity. I began to enter paintings as often as possible in local art shows. I agreed to make talks to local clubs and to give demonstrations for local art clubs, the Council on Aging and any other interested groups. To advertise at a reasonable cost, I decided to have color brochures and postal cards printed illustrating some of my most recent portraits. I then made "cold calls" to art gallery owners, frame shop proprietors, and interior designers, showing my portfolio, and leaving a supply of brochures and postal cards whenever interest was shown.

My initial reluctance to make calls dissolved when I realized that most of the business owners were very receptive. I also offered a commission or finder’s fee to these business owners for any portrait commission resulting from their efforts or contracts. Fortunately, I live in a college town and the capital city. This provided me with an extra valuable source for portrait leads. Meeting with and showing my portfolio to corporate executives, university and state officials has led to commissions in these areas. During an appointment with the governor’s wife I showed her my portfolio. She asked me to paint her portrait which now hangs in the rotunda of the governor’s mansion in Louisiana. This has been a rich source of publicity as the portrait is seen by many groups taking tours of the mansion.

One of my most rewarding decisions early in my career was to make an appointment to show my portraits to a recognized portrait dealer in another state. I was greeted cordially and interviewed in a friendly, unhurried was that did much to boost my self confidence. It also resulted in some portrait commissions and in friendships that I value highly.

Our local little theater group provided artists with welcomed publicity by providing gallery space for displaying their paintings. These exhibits are enjoyed by many theater patrons during intermissions of theater productions, and the featured artist gains name recognition through this means. Occasionally, offering to paint a small portrait for a silent auction associated with a worthwhile charity has also provided valuable publicity and additional potential clients.

While I chose to refrain from very expensive advertising in national magazines until I was well established and financially sound, advertising in the local newspaper, trade publications, society registered, Junior League or other business magazines is often beneficial. Increasingly, we are becoming aware of the benefits of using the computer in advertising. Establishing our own website on the Internet or paying a monthly fee for space on an established gallery web page are options that should certainly not be ignored. I have also visited with the owners of local specialty shops offering custom designer clothing for children. I find that their customers are often good prospects for children’s portraits. And of course NOTHING can be as successful or is as satisfying to the artist as word of mouth in the form of praise from a happy client!

Admittedly, while starting a new career at retirement age requires more than a little effort, especially after a long period of artistic inactivity, I have enjoyed each step along the way. I realize that I have only touched on a few of the numerous steps I went through to reestablishing myself as an artist. If you really enjoy what you do and are willing to work diligently, I’m convinced that even if you start late, it is never too late to begin the climb out of artistic obscurity. I personally look forward with much enthusiasm to a rich and fulfilling period of portrait painting ahead.