I have had several people over the years ask me a familiar question: “What pieces do you have done right now that are in my budget?” I can appreciate that question, but that really limits what the next step my perspective client takes next. I mean, maybe I happen to have the exact size and subject matter they’re looking for. Maybe, but not usually.
I then present the option of commissioning a piece from me, but about 70% of the time, the person who would be willing to purchase a completed piece from me seems hesitant to commission a painting, which is a shame. The already completed pieces of art on my studio wall are there to show people what I’m capable of creating. If one of those pieces speaks to them, that’s awesome, but primarily, I want those pieces to get people thinking and dreaming.
“When I paint, no matter what I’m painting, I’m in my happy place.”
So is buying a completed painting or a commissioned painting better? Well personally, I like both. But I really like working on commissioned pieces. Here is why:
You can match the size to perfectly fit the budget. I charge by the square inch, so the size determines the budget. If something is more than the budget can support, we can just shrink it a bit so that the bottom line total is something you can live with.
You can pick this exact subject matter for the piece. I’ve had the privilege of painting scenes I’d never think of painting and trying to sell in my Asheville studio. People have asked me to paint a scene based on their rafting excursion amidst antarctic icebergs, canals of Venice, mountains of New Zealand, and so many other awesome places. This is what makes my job really interesting and challenging!
I don’t charge any more for commissions. I charge the same per square inch rate for a commission as I do for a completed piece.
You can get creative! I currently have a perspective client that found a sky they like from one photo, the background from another photo, the mid ground from another photo and the foreground from yet another photo. The colors and lighting don’t go together perfectly as is, but I’ll deal with that. That’s my job.
I ship anywhere in the lower 48 states free of charge, which saves you paying any sales tax if you live outside North Carolina.
I completely guarantee your satisfaction with a commission. If you’re not totally happy with it, I’ll start it all over again, and keep going until you ARE happy with it. I’ve never had to do that before, but I always stress my willingness. I don’t want anyone worrying about purchasing something they end up not liking. I also send a photo near the end of the painting process for my client to take a look at and request tweaks if needed. I’m always happy to tweak a piece upon request, and keep tweaking until they’re totally happy with it.
Upon request, I allow people to pay over time at no added interest. When the last payment is received, the painting is shipped.
I love painting. When I paint, no matter what I’m painting, I’m in my happy place. And it continues to be such an amazing honor to be asked by people to paint something specific for THEM. I absolutely love that. So…if you have an idea and if I happen to have just painted something that matches that idea perfectly, awesome. Talk to me about a purchase. But if you have a specific budget or size or subject matter in mind, talk to me about a commission. I would love to work with you on whatever project you dream up! It’s my job to make sure you never regret that decision.
