The overwhelm of commissioning art

I speak for myself of course, but I don't know if there is any greater feeling as an artist than hearing words to the tune of,

"Can you paint this for me?"

I feel a surge of excited energy ready to pick up a pencil or paintbrush and get to work making someone's dream or vision a reality. It's truly one of my favourite parts of what I do.

But the feeling does come crashing down when it's followed by "...for free". Let's get super honest here.

That's why we use 'commission' rather than 'request' though they come from similar fields of expression. 
We're over here trying to dispel the myth of the starving artist not perpetuate it!

Running a business that relies on collaboration and intrigue isn't easy!

When I ran a survey a while back I was really interested in the mental blocks and confusions that stop people from purchasing or commissioning art. Finding the root of cause of things always fascinated me when I was coaching. I was taught that a situation keeps on happening until we address why it's there in the first place. So I wanted to see if there was something I could do from my part as said Artiste to help customers and yet-to-be-customers make the leap from 'couldn't' to 'maybe' to 'hell yeah!'. Those being in relation to whether they thought they could buy a commission piece of art. So I present the ABC's:

Art?!

Budget??

Creativity?!

Art.
That word lights some of the population up - for others its a 'meh' and for the rest it has not entered the chat. 

You don't need it
It's not your friend
It's not going to keep you warm (per se)
You can't eat it (as part of a healthy diet)
(It seems undecided as to whether Van Gogh was actually eating yellow paint bless his heart).

Basically on Maslow's pyramid thing (see above) it's not one of the bigger pieces. Those being the pieces we need for survival and life in this big ol' world. It's where you'd put shelter, groceries, travel insurance and maybe a gym membership first.

But it does belong on the pyramid - with links to the tippity top (self-actualisation).

So if we don't need it - why bother buying it?

Heres a blog who actually know what they're on about

Have a peruse of the above if you like - I sure did.
In a nutshell:
art makes us feel.
art has always been the voice of the voiceless.
sometimes it makes you rich owning it.

It's nice to have in your home - it gives you a great talking point.
​And what a nicer way to say to a loved one or to yourself,
"​Here is the most unique gift ever because I love you so much."

Budget.
Ah, the old money conversation. That old chestnut.
I've tried to be pretty open as possible on my order page
that I charge £25 an hour - it's about what a handyman or a yoga teacher or a music teacher might charge for some more context.
It's a price I hope reflects that I've had a lot of practice in this field and I'm offering those services to you dear reader.

But, why can't you tell me how much it will cost altogether?

Because I'm not sure what you want to order yet - that's all!
It's kind of like asking a plumber for an estimate or guessing your supermarket shop before the list.
​
By filling in an order form it's like starting a conversation.
​
"Hi I'm Art Buyer Dude
I do have a budget or money isn't an object!
I'd like to buy some art in this style to give to my cat for her birthday.
It's a portrait of her - can you do it?"

Simple as that.

I can estimate from the size how much it might cost in general judging from my previous work.

Example here - this one was pretty large - took around 10 hours so that's an estimate of £250.

Reasons for time:

It's got quite a simple background
Portrait figure in uncomplicated design 

I drew a few different mock ups that I offered before we decided on this one.

The client was already pretty sure of what they wanted when they approached me which saved a little bit of back and forth - but it's no problem when people aren't immediately sure.

Basically if you aren't full of creative ideas/direction but you know your budget.

We can work with your budget in mind.

Creativity.
If you do not identify as a creative person - that shouldn't stop you from liking art!
There is truly an artist out there making art in a style for everyone.
​I have worked with people comissioning pieces that have started as:
​

"Hi Zoe

I want to get a piece of art for my Mum 
My budget is this but I have no idea what she'd like!
I do like this piece you did"

​I'm fine being the ideas woman - it's why I do this!

If lack of creativity stops you from reaching out - I got you!

Ping me a message - lets get some art made!

In conclusion, I now feel like I'm doing my GCSE English writing in conclusion.
In conclusion, commissioning art ain't as scary as it seems - and I hope to break some of those barriers by being honest.
Art might not be a necessity but it is something that brightens the day of the person it's for and the artist who gets to make it. If you can buy something off the specials menu - you can buy a special piece of art. My god, that was corny. I mean as in - you have the skills to commission some art. We can work with budget and we can work with not much in the way of an idea. 
I hope this gave you some food for thought.
And though I can't stop you eating my art if you buy it.
At least film it.