Branding Yourself: Getting out of your comfort zone.

  I'm a very shy person. I have a fairly decent opinion of myself, but I don't think I'm all that wonderful. I like big crowds because I can hide amongst the throng. I like one-on-one conversations, and even being part of a group discussion. But I am terrified of public speaking. The idea of being the center of attention makes me want to puke and hide. I expect there to be a certain amount of criticism, and I don't always take criticism well. Consider my response to some unsolicited criticism on my painting "Three Fold Path" when I put it up on Fine Art America. Maybe I overreacted. Anyway, that's why I was content to let my art sell itself while I stood in the corner.
   I began to understand that my art would need some help selling itself. I had to brand myself. I had to make some very deliberate and well planned decisions to get over my shyness. I had to get out of my comfort zone.
   In 2009 I was invited by my former Northern Michigan University Illustration 101 professor (and owner of one of my paintings), Tom Cappuccio to join The Marquette (MI) Symphony Orchestra's PR Committee. What a great opportunity! I could learn about marketing the arts to arts-loving people, receiving valuable experience and exposure while helping a regional symphony! Soon after, I was nominated to serve on the Board of Directors. This meant that I would have to give PR reports to the Board, which put me at the center of  what I felt was very critical attention. Making these presentations helped pull me out of my shell.
    I joined the Ishpeming Renaissance Festival Committee three years ago. I was asked to go before the Ishpeming, MI City Council and ask for a donation from the community promotion fund. What was particularly terrifying about this was that the Council Meetings are televised, and I know at least a dozen people watch them. I was so nervous I almost wet myself...really! But I did it.
   The year after, I did it again. That time I was much better. I even made some jokes. And people laughed at them. Or maybe they laughed at me... Just a month ago, I did it again. I was till nervous, but again much better.
   During this time, I ran for an elected position on The Ishpeming City Council. I lost, but I got some great publicity and experience. More importantly I readied myself for public scrutiny, and showed the world that I was committed to my community.
   I was beginning to see that being at the center of attention is OK, for short periods of time, and as long as it was for good reasons. So at my second art showing with the Outback Art Fair in 2010, I made extra efforts to draw attention to myself. I had big green banner made, with 'Art of John French' emblazoned in orange. I dressed up nice and classy, trying to hone my image to the type of people who buy art. I displayed a  poster I had made for the Marquette Symphony, and when someone asked, I proudly announced my membership on the board.
   And to top off the image, I wore a nice shirt and a suit coat. The effort was noticed by Jim Koski, a local radio personality, historian, and fine community member. He walked up to me and said "You're the only person here wearing a suit coat."
    "Good!" I beamed. My branding had begun.