I simply adore working commission! Commissioned art that is. I'm completely baffled by people who are able to sustain themselves on a commission based salary. Ahh, to each his own I s'pose!
Commissioned artworks are a completely different animal... an animal I wanna snuggle and squeeze! I just love them! They are perfect for me because they help get me out of any creative rut I find myself in at the moment. Its a chance to think outside of the box and my niche and create something based on what someone else wants and "sees". I love being able to take someone else's idea and turn it into something tangible for someone else to enjoy. People who appreciate art and seek that art out are my kind of people... fabulous.
I do have a system to how I start a commission piece. I'm always upfront with my clients about wanting to stay true to my aesthetic because after all, they request I paint something because they like my style right? Right. I ask a few simple questions:
How big of a painting are you want?
Do you prefer rectangle over square canvas or vice-versa?
What kind of subject matter are you looking for?
What colors would you like me to work in?
When would you like it by?
and then... I PAINT.
I work best with DEADLINES. I cannot emphasize this enough because "Procrastination Station" is my middle name. I don't mean to put it off, but things come up and it is pretty easy to put things aside that are not in need of immediate attention. So, deadlines! I think I mentioned this before on a previous commission post....
So, this summer my fabulous friend Jen had the brilliant idea of "hey! I love your artwork! You should paint me something!" to which I replied, "ABSOLUTELY!" And thus my next commission piece was born. I told her I would have it done by the end of summer and she said "no rush" so of course, I finished it at the end of October... slightly beyond the end of summer... only slightly... -_-
She mentioned how much she wanted to spend and what she wanted a picture of. I sent her a few size options and the price range, along with a few alternate "canvas" options. She told me the subject matter she wanted and the kinds of colors she likes and...
Voila!
 |
| Acrylic on canvas 16x20, 2012 |
Jen, I hope this painting brings you as much joy as it brought me painting it! Your enthusiasm over its completion made my day. It also made my struggle to get things "just right" worthwhile. Thank you for the fabulous opportunity and the reminder as to why I enjoy painting and creating as much as I do :-)
