Wednesday, August 23, 2006

I Don't Do Commissions
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I don't do themes either. I don't like outwardly designated assignments. And the worst thing for me is trying to bring to life the imagined ideas in another person's head. Throughout the whole process I worry (past tense, very tense) that they will not like what I have made. So I never accept commissions and I opt out of group shows that have themes. Not. For. Me.
Recently some friends dropped by (not blog reading friends) and discussed their problems in finding artwork that would fill the long vertical spaces on either side of their full wall fireplace. It is a majestic space to fill and they live in a fabulous site, with woods and hills and views that are spectacular. I hedged on volunteering to make them something. I know I could do this if this were my space to fill. But as mentioned above, I don't like doing this for others, for money, or any reason.
I did volunteer to find someone else who would like this assignment. I didn't do anything about it for real though. And I have kept thinking about this space and the parameters they defined.
The art needs to be long and skinny, a pair, about 24" wide by about 65-72" long.
NOT PICTORIAL.
I may have influenced them on that part. And for colors... natural colors, like the autumn leaves have, reds, golds, greens, browns, purple and black.
It could be that I like this idea enough to work on it for myself, as a personal challenge. I am not telling them about it. I am not hinting that I am working on it. And probably in the end they wouldn't want to spend the money I would want for the work anyway. So this is strictly for myself which is just the way I like it.

6 comments:

  1. I'm intrigued!

    I haven't ruled out commissions entirely. I had one person ask and after I presented her with a contract, she said, "No, thanks." Fine with me.

    Oh by the way... you have friends who don't read blogs? How can that be?

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  2. I have done 2 commissions. And I ended up annoyed with the whole process. Both customers were very happy with the end result, but I spent the entire time worrying, and being bored with a project I would NEVER have made on my own had they not been selected by the client. By the time I had worked up several ideas, met with them, and took them on a fabric shopping trip...it just wasn't worth it.

    Your situation, however, sounds very different. You sound like you are challenged by the unusual space and location. And from the way you describe, rightly so. It might just be worth it to make the pieces, hang them in their home just to get the photo to use in your lectures.

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  3. Anonymous3:57 PM

    My favorite thing (NOT) is when people claim they really LOVE something I've created and ask how much. I tell them the price and they turn pale and stammer and eventually decline and then tell me, well, they could really make it themselves. They have no respect for the time and thought and effort that went into the work but yet they would pay a plumber $90.00 per hour, including travel time, to unstop a drain that they could very well plunge themselves and not think twice about that.
    I guess it's yet another example of people viewing art quilts as something that belongs in some chachki craft fair rather than appreciating them for the art that they are.
    I hope you will share your results with us THE WAY YOU MAKE IT!

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  4. Anonymous7:29 PM

    Remember that sculptor who got the commission to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? Mike something.
    It was a good stretch for him and I believe he hated every minute. It's nice to be in a position to pick and choose.
    Most people are unwilling to pay for any type of fiber art. That is our cross to bear..

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  5. Anonymous3:35 AM

    I accepted a commission once, flattered by the offer. But it took forever to make and in the end the money was grossly out of proportion to the effort I put in. And I didn't enjoy it, although I liked the end result, so much so that it was a wrench to send it off. A friend even offered me 1.5 times the price! Plus I never even got a thank you note, just the money in the account.

    I hope never to be in the financial position that I have to accept commissions. And I hope my vanity never gets the better of me again.

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  6. Oooh i commisions too, for just the reasons you stated. i would rather someone choose from the body of work i have than create something special for them.

    Hope you all have fun at the art show outing. I am spending tomorrow out on a ranch by the coast for a seafood and wine fest with my folks.

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Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com