The Artist and the Internet

by Cynthia Daniel

Intriguing, mysterious, and elusive. No, we’re not talking about a woman. It’s the Internet, one of today’s hottest topics. Growing in leaps and bounds, it remains shrouded in mystery and misconception.

Many see it as something to be feared or denigrated and mentally or actually make the ‘hex" sign when they hear mention of the Internet. Others see it as a possible panacea to fame and fortune. As with most things that are not understood, the truth lies somewhere in between.

For those with computer phobia, perhaps we can lift some of that shroud. For those already intrigued and interested, perhaps we can help you become more realistic in your expectations and perception of the Internet. Following are some of the common misconceptions about the Internet.

1. Everyone gives me a different answer when I ask a question regarding the Internet

People aren’t trying to mislead you or be dishonest. One of the first things to understand about the Internet is that there is seldom one answer. The Internet and its components are complex and multi-faceted. Ask who is the best Internet service provider, what search engine returns the best results, or how will people find my site on the Internet and you will get different answers depending on who is answering the question. The more astute and savvy people will usually admit they don’t always have the right answers and will try to distill a multitude of answers down to a few that are most relevant to your situation at the moment. Learning about the Internet is an ongoing process for everyone since it is ever-changing.

2. If I go on the Internet, I’ll get an avalanche of business (or conversely, I’ll get no business)

The truth is somewhere in between. It’s important to be prepared to give this time. The Internet is in its infancy and its entry into mainstream is fairly new. More and more people are taking the leap every day and the upswing will continue. But, as you are a novice, so are many of your potential clients. There is a learning curve for everyone.

I encourage artists to see an online portfolio as much more than just a means to obtain commissions. There are many other aspects, but you must be aware of them and utilize them. Artists who are very active in promoting and using their online portfolios have more success than those who do not. Consider these factors in having an online portfolio.

• It constitutes a PR action and any PR action that gets you and your work in the public eye can potentially benefits your career.
• Simply having an online portfolio lends greater credibility to you as an artist, clients and prospects are generally impressed and intrigued when they find an artist on the Internet.
• An online portfolio can save you money and time (which is money) rather than sending out expensive packets, you can often simply have the prospect check out your web portfolio. Those who are "just window-shopping" are usually satisfied. Those who are serious shoppers will probably ask for more information, but in the meantime your narrowed things down to the truly qualified prospects.
• Adding a newly completed portrait of a client onto your web pages is not only an excellent PR move in most cases, it’s also an excellent promotional action. Most clients are excited and eager to tell family and friends that their portrait or that of a loved one is out there for the world to see. In the process, you get a portfolio showing with little effort.
• An online portfolio is an inexpensive and quick way to keep your display of portraits up to the minute.

3. Why is it most people and businesses I’ve heard about have never received any business from the Internet?

This is one of those questions to which there are many potential answers. Perhaps the web site was poorly designed, difficult to navigate or aesthetically unpleasing. This will drive viewers away quickly. There’s so much to view on the Internet, one only has a short time to capture and hold the viewer’s interest. Perhaps the product(s) or service offered were not of sufficient quality compared to the competition. This is only something that a hard, honest look can answer. Or, perhaps the home page was not created in a way that makes it easy for the search engines to find.

Many portrait artists on my Stroke of Genius web gallery have either received commissions or inquiries that could lead to commissions in the future. There’s a plus in being associated with a site that has an excellent reputation and features more than one artist. Again, everyone is in a hurry on the Internet and a high quality gallery that features more than one artist saves the web surfer time. They can click into one site and a world of possibilities opens up.

These are some of the common questions about the Internet. There are many others, but that would take us far beyond the length of this article.

Following are a few of the experiences of our artists:

Joy Thomas received a call off her web page from an artist in Sydney, Australia who wants to apply for a government grant to come to the US and apprentice under Joy. The artist has also invited Joy to give a workshop in Sydney. She also received a commission in Tampa directly from her web site. A wife wanted a portrait of her husband, but he would not be convinced until Joy suggested he check out her web site.

Ned Bittinger says, "We got our first lead generated by your web site. We’re sending off a portfolio today- a portrait of a president of an institute down in San Antonio."

Kim Chambers, wife of portrait artist Timothy J. Chambers, states, "Tim just finished a portrait sitting in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago. This commission was the result of someone finding Tim’s web site all on their own. They had never met before; don’t even have friends that know one another and yet the chose Tim to paint a portrait of their two boys!"

Ronald Bayens sent a email saying, "My site helped me secure a commission of the former dean of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University."

A note sent from Ovita Goolsby says," I just received my first commission from my web site."

JoAnn Paules reports that husband Dean Paules just received a portrait commission directly from a web surfer!

"The Knoxville newspaper published my web address and I’ve had many calls from people who have looked it up," says Shari Ford.

Connie Erickson emails, "The bottom line is that your services have already paid for themselves , and I appreciate the great tool they have become for me in marketing my work!"

Richard Miller is currently being considered for a life-size bronze of Sony Bony as a result of his web presence.

Return to publications index
____________________________________________________________________
Cynthia Daniel created and runs "A Stroke of Genius" at www.portraitartist.com the only major, independent gallery for portrait artists on the Internet. If you are interested in considering a web presence, Stroke of Genius can be contacted at 727-738-1688.