I've been wanting to create a question and answer section on my blog once it grows a little more. I think it would be fun to introduce more of what I do on a personal level. Here's some common questions I've been asked!
Why do artists charge so much?
Viewing artist's prices may sound like a lot at first. However, if you break down the cost, you can see that most artists really don't make that much! Believe it or not, with how many hours go into a project, an $80 portrait means the artist will make about $9 an hour. That's $3 less than the average customer service job in Utah--and that's not even including the cost of supplies.
So give your local artists a chance! If you've been thinking about getting artwork done, go for it!
Why does it take so long to finish one piece of art?
Art is a very intense form of work and takes a lot of concentration to make sure all of the details are PERFECT. Because of this, artists need to take breaks every so often to let their minds cool off. This is why an artist might take two or three weeks to finish artwork that might only take 10 consecutive hours.
Another reason artists need extra time is because they want the piece to be completely inspired. You have probably heard of a "writer's block", which is the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing. "Artist's block" is just as real! Sometimes, the creative flow is just not there. On days like this, I just choose to focus on another piece until I can go back and finish with a refreshed mind.
What is a "commission"?
Google defines commission as "giving an order for or authorize the production of a work of art". This is pretty self-explanatory, but I'll dive a little deeper. A commission is a personalized work of art which someone pays the artist to do, just for them--whether that's a family portrait, a pet portrait, home decor, etc. It could literally be anything the client has envisioned!
What is the alternative to commissions, then?
With commissions, copies cannot be sold in the future. For example, I won't be selling copies of
Lynsie's portrait because it is her own property (not to mention her face and name)! I love doing commissions, but for this reason they do not pay the artist very much in the long run as opposed to my own creative work. Usually, artists fill their actual galleries with their own inspired pieces, not commissions.
Give me some feedback and let me know if you have any questions about art terms or what I do! :) Email: britt.anne.art@gmail.com
