The one thing that I like to instill is that each piece is one of a kind - so a chick is a chick - but they are all a little different. I do not mass produce my paintings, and I take pride in the uniqueness of each piece I create. I enjoy a challenge and love to create art.
General commission pieces requested are usually “this picture, but with a jack russell instead of a chow.” Personal preference pieces are usually “something like this giraffe; but with pink spots, because we’re having a girl.” Commission pieces are mostly compromise. Compromise on the customer’s part being able to give artistic freedom/license to me and compromise on my part that it is not all me, and to incorporate some of my client’s ideas! I have never found that I could not do something for a client that they wanted.
If someone wants my art, I am honored, so I will do my best to help them with cost. I have found, after almost 15 years of being a full time artist, that it is very helpful to my clients (and me) that we set a particular budget. I will show the client particular pieces that fall into their predetermined price range. This way they can still get what they want - 'my art' - and it is within their reach.
Generally with commission pieces I am matching fabric and colors so they don't clash when hung in a child’s room, for example. Or if it is a custom dog piece, I will meet the dog, if possible, or the client will send me photos to look at and give me brief descriptions and stories about the dog to give me a sense
of their personality. With that information I have a better understanding of how to make the piece more sentimental for the customer.
