Wendy Zumpano's Page

I have been a poor AFI contributor lately!  I took on some side work to supplement my portrait business and the late winter has been surprisingly hectic, unlike the arctic tundra I usually face this time of year.

I finally made time to write a blog post, and I hope you'll enjoy this story about my latest portrait subject, which is a subject that touches many of us.

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I wonder how many artists have artistic families? I get my hand to eye skills

from my father, who designed the moving walkways at airports during his days as

a Chief Mechanical Engineer. I wrote a blog entry about him and a wonderful

friend of his who supported me when I was first starting out as a full time

artist. …

Why is it so hard every year to apply to art shows?  I feel so nervous about it, I find myself doubting everything... my work, my display, my show choices, the money.  My whole career!  Wouldn't it be easier just to go back to the corporate world and get a steady income? 

If any Chicago artists want to compare show choices with me (or tell me what to do!) I'd be so grateful.  It feels like such a crap shoot and facing all that cash out the door panics me.

I'll…

I am chained to my easel drawing dogs, grandkids, families, homes and the like to be discovered under my clients' trees, hopefully with much happiness. I promised myself I wouldn't goof around writing my blog until I was done! But I'm a born procrastinator. I hope you have a minute or two to enjoy and I wish you all a wonderful holiday season.…

Do you sell your 2D art on notecards?  I highly recommend it.  I think that art show patrons like to support the art that they appreciate, even if it is a small way.  Greeting card carousels are not expensive and card sales have made the difference from a miserable show and a decent one for me.  I print my cards myself, but would love to find an economical volume printer.

I wrote in my blog about the evolution of custom pencil portrait cards.  I cracked myself up writing it,…