[Malachi Maloney]

Ok, I'm taking a big step (for me) and I'm going to apply at a couple companies as a pin-up/cover artist type guy.
Now I've had contact with one of the two companies already and a possible commission with them as well. I'm not going to name either one of the magazines I'm applying for because it's not relevant, but needless to say they contain more than there fair share of pin-up art.
So, I got a bunch of my pin-ups printed up all nice and glossy style and I'm including a brief description of each piece, how it was created and the model used for it, with each print.
Now here's where I need some help......
My cover letter, I'm obviously going to right each company individually, but I'm not exactly sure what I should and should not say about myself or my work. I don't want to write a bunch of worthless dribble and go on and on about myself, but I don't want it to be too brief either.
Another issue, I've never gone to school for art. I've never taken any art classes and I have no real formal training. Everything I know is self taught. I've learned everything I know from reading books, studying the work of artists whom I admire, tutorials and trial and error. This could present a problem if I don't present myself in the right manner. On the one hand they may think...."Wow he's self taught? Impressive.", but on the other hand, they might completely dismiss me and my work because I have no formal training.
This issue in particular really worries me. I've always thought that the artist's work speaks for it's self. And if the work is good than it doesn't matter the amount of training the artist does or doesn't have. But then there's those people that don't want to even look at your work unless you've got that piece of paper from 'so and so' college saying that "you are an artist".
So what should I write in my cover letter?
I want to look as professional as possible despite my artistic education, or lack there of.

If anyone has some advice for me on this it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Malachi

[ January 21, 2002: Message edited by: Malachi Maloney ]

[Novacaptain]

I don't know how helpful this'll be to you but there's some interesting reading material on the subject here:

Universal studios (click on "Helpful Tips")

I hope it's of some use to you.

[Malachi Maloney]

Thanks for the link.
Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly the type of info I'm looking for seeing as how it basically focuses on sending an electronic resume via e-mail and I'm looking to them 'hardcopies' of my work via snail mail.
But, thanks for taking the time out to help me novacaptain. Very much appreciated.


Thanks in advance,
M

[ January 26, 2002: Message edited by: Malachi Maloney ]

[lalPOOO]

your applying to penthouse aren't you?

[Malachi Maloney]

Nope. Good guess though.

If you can guess the two magazines I'm applying to, I'll send you a 200 pound block of tasty government CHEESE.

Now back on topic.......

M

[Malachi Maloney]

Help?

[Malachi Maloney]

Do you honestly mean to tell me that no one here can offer me any advice as to what I should and should not include in my cover letter to these companies?

Please people, I really need some help with this.

Malachi

[Hunago]

hey Malachi, first time applying for job can feel pretty scary.

A company can seem intimidating and unapproacheable from the outside, but it's easier once you realise that they are just a group of people like you or me. In your letter, try to emphasize your specific strengths and abilities, and clearly state what kind of work position you will be able to fill in.

Regarding the lacking of formal art education, it won't bother most companies. but as you say it might make few narrow minded people dismiss your work, don't emphasise it too much.

I think the more important thing is how you put together your art portfolio, while all your arts can be of a specific style, in this case, pin-ups. Do those demostrate your ability to communicate a variety of feels in this area? you need to show them that you are a versatile artist who is able to work with any ideas they give you.

and another thing, try to get an inside eye of how that particular company operates. if you don't know anyone working in similiar job. You should at least post at the company's user forum or e-mail them, get a feel of how the people there are like, get to know them and let them know you, this will give your application a ring of familiarity, which is much better than if you are to them a complete stranger.

there are more qualified people who could answer this, but I hope this at least puts your mind to ease.

Good luck,

[razzak]

the way i see it is as follows. i had a look at the page and your stuff is quite impressive, so if i was you, id write to them tell them whats business. if they want it, theyll take it, if they dont, &^%%#*&I them! theres a million companies out there which you can work for. but you might wanna present some references from ppl. be confident dont take no crap and present yourself clear cut. thats what my mom would normally tell me

[MadSamoan]

Just introduce your name, where you're from, your influences, the fact that you can meet your deadlines and a list of 3-5 references. Letters of introduction are just that. They introduce. If the editor wants to find out more about you, they'll ask. Besides, if the work doesn't fit they're present needs, no matter how well a letter of introduction is written, it won't matter.

If you do mention that you're self taught, don't boast about it. I have comic book artists in the industry that are proud of that fact, blissfully unaware that frankly, it shows in their work. Personally, I'm not impressed when someone boasts that they're self taught, well, Adam Hughes is the exception, and he only explains he's self taught when asked.

[Malachi Maloney]

Thanks for all the advice people.

Very helpful and encouraging, I think I'll just let my work do most of my talking for me.

Thanks again.

Malachi

[MoleculeMan]

Playboy?

[sushikitty]

Hey,
First of all, good luck with getting the job. With the coverletter, you're going to need something that will make you stand out from the rest of the applicants. But not make you sound like a braggart. Usually, on Cover letters, like above mentioned, you want to introduce yourself, why you want *this* job in particular over other jobs, and why you want to work at this particular company. You want to mention your good traits (being self-taught, add in something about motivation to learn, and sticking to it) You want to make yourself look as good as possible, without looking arrogant. Good luck!

-Jodes

[Malachi Maloney]

Cover letters and portfolio prints have been sent out to both companies......

Wish me luck.

Thanks for the continued help on the subject.
Much appreciated.


M

[Lunatique]

Hey man, good to see you take the plunge.

My experiences taught me this:

Let your work speak for itself. Let them look at it and just shut up. Don't give anecdotes or chat up a storm. You can do that AFTER they expressed that they are impressed.

The most important thing is to speak from the perspective of a business person, not an artist. Artists are famous for being neurotic and strange, and that is NOT the impression you want to make. Handle everything very business like, and that will show them you've been around the biz and knows your shit. When asked about prices and your general working habits regarding time, procedure, interaction with editors, DO NOT hesitate. Just answer matter-of-fact and straight to the point.

There. Hope this will help.

[Malachi Maloney]

Thanks Lunatique.
That's pretty much the same advice that I got from someone else (who shall remain nameless) that I respect very much before I sent my prints off.
My cover letter is only 1 page long and only consists of about 5 paragraphs. I made it very strait forward and to the point. I made no mention of my training or artistic education. The cover letter talks about strictly business issues and I let my art work speak for itself.

Thanks again for the help everyone.

M