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| "Yanks and Sox" Pen and Ink |
You're probably nodding emphatically and saying, "Yeah, so what else is new, same thing happens to me in my job every day..." And I guess I'm starting to realize how we ALL lapse into that insensitive mode of seeing others only as the producer of a good or service that we need/want, rather than as people just like ourselves.
It's only been over these past few months, as I've really been concentrating on marketing my art, I've noticed that many people see me as a producer of a product, rather than a living breathing human being. Someone recently emailed a photo to me, and requested a commissioned portrait of three children, and they needed it delivered for a birthday gift in a week. I had to tell them I couldn't do that, but I would love to do the portrait if I had a few more weeks. I never heard back from them. Another person just requested this drawing, specifically drawn on a New York envelope, with blue pinstripes and the red socks. I haven't heard back from them yet either. I guess I'll have to get used to that and not be so sensitive about it, huh? My work is sometimes seen as a commodity to be purchased or not, and I am merely the factory that produces it.
I also believe that the anonymity of the internet makes it easy for us to forget that there are real people at the other end. I'm going to make more of an effort, myself, to remember that when I email companies or order things from online sellers.
I also believe that the anonymity of the internet makes it easy for us to forget that there are real people at the other end. I'm going to make more of an effort, myself, to remember that when I email companies or order things from online sellers.
But now I've gotten two strikes in two weeks... I need at least a little bunt (or a walk), and soon!
Friends, please tell me that this too, has happened to you? Or am I the only one who has had to turn down a commission because I know I can't work fast enough, and then accepts a request to draw something for somebody who doesn't want it any more two days later?
I have a lot to learn about this biz, don't I?
Dear Katherine - I never have done a commission but I certainly would not enjoy the restraints that this would put on the joy of creating art. I admire your work so much that I can't imagine somebody not being patient enough to wait. You just keep working from your heart and all will be well I am sure.
ReplyDeleteThat is a series of bad luck and perhaps the commissioner for the drawing will still respond. Sometimes people take a long time.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the concept of being considered more like a machine for production than a person. Especially these days when "instant" is the buzzword, people don't consider the amount of time and work that goes into producing something unique and seem to think that you can knock off something in a few hours and for $20. Framed. :)
Commissions are always a slippery slope. They can be rewarding to do, but also stressful at times.
Rule # 1: Get a deposit on anything before you start it. 30 - 50% - no exceptions. Then if they bail, all is not lost, at least you have some payment for your efforts.
Rule # 2: If you can meet their expectations and know it will cause you stress, have NO guilt whatsoever saying no. You'll find that they will be the ones who nit pick forever and end up costing you money before the piece is finally done.
Next one's the charm Katherine.
argggggh my post just got eaten! Hate it when that happens.
ReplyDeleteWhat I said was that a string of bad luck is just that and will change. Commissions are both rewarding and hell at the same time. :)
People in these days of "instant" everything have no concept of how much time and expertise it takes to produce a drawing or painting and expect the results in a day or an hour. For $20. Framed.
Yes I hear you on being thought of as a machine instead of a person. But that's not always the case and those who truly appreciate you and your art outnumber the idiots.
For commissions I have two rules:
1. Always have 30-50% of the price paid before pencil ever hits the paper. That way if they bail, at least you have something for your efforts.
2. When faced with difficult requests either for commissioned pieces or time constraints, have NO hesitation about saying no. I have done so frequently and to be honest, these people who have little regard for your efforts aren't worth your time.
Your art is amazing. You just do what you enjoy doing and the rest will fall into place.
Katherine, think about all of the people who love you and your art and have shown that they have good manners. They outnumber people like this by far. I love the envelope. I think you'll still hear back from the person who requested it.
ReplyDeleteYour work is truly wonderful Katherine and your mastery shines through in it. This piece is so charming and unique that I am sure the rightful owner will show up for it soon, even if it isn't the one who originally requested it. (It would make an awesome Father's Day gift! )I know it can be difficult being sensitive and strong at the same time. It's the blessing and a curse of an artistic spirit. I've been in the biz a long time and the best way I know of coping when things don't go well, is to just to accept that there will be days like that. I believe that everything happens for a reason, even if we don't know what it is at the moment. Hang in there sweet lady. Hugs, Sandy
ReplyDeleteI guess it comes with the territory, no? I love these envelopes you have been painting -- I am sure someone is going to fall in love with the ball players:)
ReplyDeleteI love the action in this little envelope,pretty cool work Katherine!I have been through this experience umpteen times since I started selling my works only through commissions when money was a constraint. I had to visit a home to whom I sold a work for one dollar many times only to see a locked door. Many gave orders and when they were ready, they promptly cancelled, saying that they were not interested anymore. It is all in the game. Commissions from people who really know what goes behind can be gratifying , where as those that think art is a commodity that can be produced in bulk, can be depressing.
ReplyDeleteI just cannot believe how rude people can be and are. I could never ask somebody to do a commission piece then not pick it up and pay for it! I hate to admit I have my rude moments as well and it is time to turn that down a lot! We get so involved in what we need and want that we forget the niceties of getting it done. Of course, I've not had this issue with commissions because I don't get them, but just in every day life. People often fail to follow through!
ReplyDeleteWhen I subbed, I didn't have any involvement with parents generally. But involvement with students showed me that many parents do not parent and teachers are expected to do it. Especially when it comes to being the bad guy and having to discipline. Teachers do not have time to teach about everything in the world and I so wish parents (not all of them, of course) would step up to the plate and do their part. Boy...I'm on a roll...time to shut up.
But this piece is wonderful and it is there for your next show, isn't it? I so wish I could do this kind of work as it is just amongst my favorites!
This happened to me through a gallery. The commission was requested and the painting was made of 4 18x24 panels, quite large! After it was completed they hummed and hawed, had me change a few things, hung it in their house for a bar mitzvah and then returned it to the gallery without ever paying me a cent. We learned to require a non-refundable downpayment. It was the sting of being used that was the worse. I eventually sold the panoramic, so chin up my friend.
ReplyDeleteIf people are expecting you to do 3 portraits in a few days, it's our duty to educate them about the process and how time consuming creating can be.
Have a good day.
Hi Katherine
ReplyDeleteSadly your experience(s) aren't unusual.
I used to offer Gift Vouchers as an option if the clients didn't allow enough time for a portrait to be completed. I have now stopped this service because I had a spate of voucher redemptions where the ref photos were so poor I struggled to work from them and ended up getting very stressed. I would have turned the work down had they not been pre-paid. I probably get half a dozen enquiries a year that I can't undertake because of time constraints.
As for the non-collection of work, Jeannette is right. You really have to take a non-refundable deposit and that does sort out the time-wasters from the genuine clients.
I have a portrait in my studio that I leave on display to remind me to do just that. I had a client (who worked overseas but visited the UK frequently). Following a nasty divorce he'd lost touch with his daughter for 25 years till somebody obtained a photo of her (from Facebook I believe). Although I wasn't entirely comfortable, I did a graphite portrait of her as an adult for him. He was happy with the portrait, he paid the balance and collected it in person. He then sent me some old school photos of his daughter as an 8 year old. I didn't take a deposit as he was a returning client and I'd met him personally. I completed a pastel portrait which I was very pleased with. He didn't collect it as planned and ignored all communication. Lesson learned!!
Don't let it spoil your enjoyment of what you do. Your work is superb and the majority of clients are nice, honest people. I love this series of ink drawings on antique envelopes - such a novel idea
Hi Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a real problem of the hole society, it happens with medical prectice too...
I think you should ask for a non-refundable deposit for all the commission you receive. It would make people compromise and think better before asking something.
And be selective, you don't have to accept everything, sometimes the money we get don't pay for the stress we have doing certain things.
Don't worry about what people think. Make your boundaries clear and respect them, be true to yourself.
And people will learn to respect too.
Your drawing is very beaultiful.
A big hug and a nice weekend.
Ciao Katherine, sto vedendo solo adesso le tue ultime opere ! Sei bravissima e si vede il tuo amore sincero per l'arte.
ReplyDeleteLi guarderò con calma e attenzione.
Un abbraccio :)
Badit's comment translated:
ReplyDeleteI'm just now seeing your latest works! You are very good and you see your true love for the art.
I'll Watch them slowly and carefully.
The public really don't understand the creative process and the emotional investment we have in the piece we complete. We can't really change that generally, but by talking with those who commission us, we can try to give them some insight in a sharing way about our process and our investments in the piece. It's general practice to ask for half the price (non-refundable) of the commission up front. This is a custom piece and not necessarily something you would normally create and there is an investment of time and materials that you need to be paid for whether they take the piece or not. If they are serious they will pay it, if they are not they will go away. In other professions it's considered a retainer. Your work is beautiful and you deserve the respect of a professional. Try not to let these two upsets get in your creative path. It's just part of the game, and I'm sure someone is emailing you right now to say they will happily buy Yanks and Sox. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour work is outstanding, Katherine ..unfortunately, we meet so many people who just don't understand the work involved. I don't do too many commissions but I can certainly understand the frustration you went through.
ReplyDeleteHey K!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of "retail." Don't worry about those people requesting the impossible. They will always be around and if you open the door one little crack for them, you will regret it.
Always be true to the process and uphold the dignity of your craft, as I know you will.
Hi Katherine, I did just one paint on commission and......it is still here after more than a year. The commissioner never told me whether he liked or not, he was simply desappeared. So I can well understand your frustration.
ReplyDeleteYour last drawing is absolutely beautiful. I like it. Ciao!
Ciao Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI never paint on commission so I don't know this poblem, but i have been a teacher and I know all the problem about the school that I think are everywhere!
I see, after a time, your works and are a very very good painter!
Ciao, ciao, Floriana
Hey Katherine! Your artwork is looking fantastic. Really wonderful job you did on this envelope. It looks cool.
ReplyDeleteI have done 2 commissioned pieces and, although the clients were happy, I'll never do one again. It's too difficult to paint under that pressure and it never looks the way the client imagined. Especially if they gave you a photograph. When asked to do a commission I say, "I don't do commissions but there are plenty of paintings for you to choose from".
Also, some times you hear back from people, sometimes you don't. I don't really expect to if the client is not a fellow artist. I think of myself as a business not an individual when sales are concerned.
Happy Painting.
So great!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!
Your feelings when you were a teacher are understandable...it is this way in any profession that provides a service to the public...whether teaching, nursing, or waiting tables. People don't always think of people. I have heard it is a good idea to always ask for money down before starting commissions...as others have already said. I think it's a good idea. I really love your drawings Katherine.
ReplyDelete