Not totally newbie is required send first at all. It depends on situation but common practice is to have escrow rather than involve on escrowless transaction here no matter how reputable the person you are going to transact. I get what OP terms since I involve in too many business transaction including this one. Many customer are dodging to paid the arrist once he didn't want the outcome.
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@OP. Try to send me sample of your art and maybe I can help you to market it at the right section with right buyer.

Well, last time when I sold a gift card (not on this forum), I'd to send over first as the buyer was reputable.
Sometimes I do that too but only when the the value of the item that we are dealing is cheap and I can afford to lose. But if it's valuable like casascius coin then I will not send first no matter
how reputable he was. Better to use escrow and pay extra fee rather than take the risk for escrowless transaction.

I think the game plan is to make some small items the next couple of days - host pics through imgur and post some links for now.
- Hang out and try to build some merit or coin to get a proper post here in the right thread.
the photo will not gonna display in your post since you are newbie. Only link to the photo will appear. You can request for other high rank user here to quote your post or
avail copper member if you are planning your business here for long run.
Goodluck and I will definitely wait your design!