Expert: DJ Murphy - 3/25/2004

Question
Mr Murphy,
thank you kindly for your prompt response.  Could dyou tell me a little more about the type of equipment that was used in your digital prints of which you were very pleased with?  Canon 5000, HP5500, Epson4900, Color Toner, Jet Ink, Solid Ink, Giclee, Lithograph... etc etc etc and the type of paper/media that was used to print on ?
I live in Schaumburg a suburb of Chicago.. galleries are many and competition high...  I am so new to this!
I work for a paper distributor which sells paper to PRINTERS... all of them are lithographs... not one person in the entire company can direct me to a "good" digital printer !!! I would expect them to 'know' 'printers'... yet they come up with nothing when it comes to fine art... a bit frustrating...
How do I put a portfolio together ? with photographs (5x7 or 8x10)or with prints (5x7 or 8x10) or larger ?

Thank you again kindly,
Carmen Sauciuc

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Followup To
Question -
Mr Murphy,
I'm looking for an affordable way to reproduce my art; lithographs will not do because they require minimum quantities. I'd like to share my paintings with my family and friends and why not sell a few prints; recently some friends have expressed interest in buying my art but as of today I can not let go of the originals...
I wish not to take the home ink jet printer route... and am not crazy about giclees either...
I'd like artist quality prints, archival and no minimum quantities. Have you knowledge / experience of any printers that would do that?
Also, about getting exhibited - how difficult is it? Time involved? I work a regular 40 hrs a week, I paint in my free time.  Do I exhibit the originals or the prints?

Thank you kindly,
Carmen
Answer -
Hello Carmen,

Not knowing where you live it is difficult for me to recommend a printer.......but the advances in printing technologies are incredible.  I recently had original works replicated vis a vis digital images I created with my digital camera, and they turned out spectacular.

So.......find a good printer in your town or city...and meet with them regarding your objectives.

Exhibited.....well again it depends where you live.  If there are many galleries....then you can put together a small portfolio and see if you can get interviews.  If you live in a place where it is difficult...you can always do your own shows at the library.....or a local church.  Don't be limited by tradition.......where there is a will there is a way.

Exhibit your originals only if you are going to sell them.....otherwise exhibit prints.......and show that they are limited [ie 1 of 20..or whatever number you produce] or if unlimited...then don't show any numbers.

Good luck to you!

dj murphy

Answer
Hello Again.........

I don't know the type of printer used to reproduce my art...but call any good printing company [digital arts type] and they can show you samples.  The paper is watercolor paper.....plus I had one put on linen, another on canvas.  I know there are a variety, and since you work for a paper company, perhaps someone in your sales dept. could help you.
Portfolios.......usually 5x7 or 8x10......glossies.....or just make your own on a printer with kodak photo paper...or a similar supplier.  Put you resume in front..and get some business cards printed with you contact info...so you can give them to galleries...or potential customers.....include an email address.

good luck.
dj murphy