I’d like to share how I set up my award-winning portfolio in hopes that it might help others present their own artwork to best advantage.

I began with good sturdy materials! I purchased a large three-ring binder in your basic black vinyl. I felt that a plain and unassuming "backdrop" would be less distracting than a fancy (and more expensive) binder.

After a long search, I found some sheet protectors that wouldn’t tear with use, were clear enough so that they didn’t alter the colors of my work, and were heavy enough to protect my photographs from harm. They are "JM Sheet Protectors," (super heavyweight vinyl top loading, 8½" x 11", order code #08250, and they are supplied in a box of 50).

I had photographs of my paintings blown up to 8" x 10" and trimmed the pictures to the edges with an exacto knife. With hand trimming, I could "correct" any photographic distortion and improve the image.

A trip to the local printer was my next order of business. I had some lightweight black card stock cut to

8½" x 11" to mount my pictures on (only one to a page) and insert into the sheet protectors. I paid $8 for approximately 300 sheets. I liked the heavier weight of the cardboard as opposed to the "cheesy" black paper that comes with ordinary sheet protectors. A portfolio can look "shopworn" with use rather quickly and these heavier weight pages have lasted far better than my earlier lightweight ones.

I mounted the photographs with double-sided picture tape on the black cardboard and displayed the pictures in my portfolio on right-hand pages only. On the left-hand page facing each picture (and on the back of the cardboard holding the previous picture), I typed the title, medium, and size of the painting at the top of a white 8½" x 11" page (type was aligned flush right).

At the bottom of each of these pages, I added my name, address and phone number in small type (also aligned flush right). I felt it was important to put my name on each sheet because when I flip through a lot of portfolios, I sometimes forget whose work I’m viewing. In order to establish continuity, and in keeping with the "Old Masterish" look of my work, I chose an older, easy to read serif typeface (Times Roman) and used it throughout the portfolio.

For easier viewing, I added section dividers, i.e., Portraiture, Still Life, Artist Information, etc. I inserted these into the vinyl protectors to add weight and cut holes for the tabs with an exacto knife.

My portfolio has withstood some hard use and still looks fresh and clean today. The only change I plan to make will be to put my name on the cover (both front and back) so that the portfolio can be easily and quickly identified when it is surrounded by others.

I also have a portfolio on the Internet and invite you to come and visit: www.portraitartist.com/wells