The first thing you should consider is the wisdom of establishing your presence on the internet that clearly indicates who you are, what you do, and how you can be reached.  This means establishing a clear persona if your goal is to be accepted as a serious artist.

The first thing I would advise doing is to create a signature file in your mail program.  It should be found under Tools and Options, and should include your name, email address, business, and perhaps a brief slogan that describes your business.   There’s no need to attach lofty quotes, as these will only distract from your message.

Joining discussion groups and mailing lists is a great way to get exposure. Make it a point to spend a little time on several forums just to get the idea of the general discussion tones.  You can always break ground by asking questions on the topic of art and painting.  I would make it a point to avoid idle chatter and conversations that are off –topic.  If you’re well informed on a particular topic, you can build credibility and be considered a valuable participant.

Consider starting a newsletter about your area of expertise, and build a mailing list for it.  Make sure the mailing list is opt-in or subscription.  By doing this, you won’t be accused of spamming your customers with unwanted mail.  People will resent receiving unsolicited mail sent to them.