Artwork should be framed for display, for both professional appearance and the work's safety. A well-chosen frame can enhance the piece's overall visual impact and save clients the effort and expense of framing the work themselves. Works on paper such as watercolor paintings, charcoal drawings and pastels should be matted and framed behind glass. If hanging the work yourself, use picture-hanging hardware appropriate for the artwork's weight to avoid damage to walls or prevent art from slipping and being damaged; most hanging equipment will indicate the weight it can support. Display artwork at a comfortable eye level, evenly spaced along the walls and aligned along the frames' bottom edges, if possible. Ensure lighting is sufficient and oriented so as not to cause unwanted glare on glass surfaces or glossy varnish.
Outdoor art fairs may be less formal settings than galleries but an artist should still present her work professionally. Frame masterpieces as you would for a gallery exhibit, although unframed works on paper or prints can be shown for sale in a print rack. Invest in a portable 10- by 10-foot tent with side panels to protect your artwork from the elements. You will need grid wall or other portable walls for hanging work inside the tent. Label all artwork for sale with titles and prices. Have business cards or flyers available for those who may wish to contact you after the fair to make a purchase.
All artists today benefit from a website dedicated to their work. Hire a professional Webmaster to design your site if you are unfamiliar with Web design, or do it yourself to cut costs and for ease of regularly updating the page with new work. Keep your online portfolio focused on just your most accomplished, thematic work; do not include images of every drawing or painting completed. On the site, include contact information, a schedule of where your work will be exhibited, a brief biography and a mission statement about your artwork. Ensure all photographs of your artwork are clearly focused and include digital watermarks to discourage image theft.
An artist's portfolio is an important tool for marketing his work to potential gallery owners, college admissions offices or for freelance assignments. The portfolio should contain examples of your best art and illustrate your ability to present a unified body of work. Include quality photographic reproductions of recent work, as well as your resume or biographical statement, postcards and clippings related to past exhibits and awards received.