Comments on: Opportunities You Should Turn Down

By: Ann Marie Scott

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:45:35 +0000

Oh boy, who can’t relate! Last summer, while laid up from knee replacement, I got a great offer to do a painting. It would have been a substantial commission! They knew I was laid up so offered to come get me to see the area, spend the day sketching then have a nice barbecue – it “sounded” like a dream job and I really needed the money. But in subsequent conversations turns out they had a very specific idea of what they wanted and it was nothing like my work! I would have disappointed them and driven myself nuts trying to satisfy them so I called it off – nicely. Painful but necessary.

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By: Stacey Pritchard

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:13:14 +0000

I was just asked by a niece if I would do a copy of a mass produced flower painting for her new baby…Took me about half an hour to figure out how to say no without offending her. I politely suggested wall decals would be a better option, to my surprise, she took it and ran.

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By: BJ Lantz

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:48:34 +0000

I am willing to bet that every single one of us have taken on projects/clients like this. I know I have. Every now and then I’ll end up with one in my lap again and it never fails to remind me why it feels good (and is the smart thing to do) to say NO. Thankfully, the older I get the less this happens!

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By: Organizing Your Projects Visually — Art Biz Blog

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:38:07 +0000

[…] sat down and wrote out what my ultimate goal was and then the various opportunities I have to get there. Then under each one of these projects, I described the steps needed to get me […]

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By: Boo! Spook Yourself Into Action — Art Biz Blog

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 15:57:17 +0000

[…] if a collector calls for a commission? Are you ready with your pricing and conditions? Can you say No, Thank You if it’s not something you’re interested in? Can you under-promise and […]

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By: Beverly

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:36:20 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

It helps if you have a lot of examples to show. I keep a collection of photos and the paintings I created from those photos for examples. We then discuss what they are looking for in a painting, if my style works for them, and what the limits are of painting from the photo they provided. I much prefer taking my own photos if possible. After I am almost finished, I send a photo of the painting and await their comments. Small adjustments can be made at that point,
It seems that my 20+ years as an interior designer explaining my color boards to clients in as much detail as possible and my firm “no, you can’t go shopping with me” is serving me well!

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 26 May 2010 14:19:01 +0000

In reply to Lizholm.

Lizholm, sounds like you needed the article a year ago. Oops. Sorry for the suffering. I advise you to hurry up and get it over with so that it’s no longer hanging over you.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 26 May 2010 14:17:58 +0000

In reply to Celeste.

Absolutely! Always express gratitude at the beginning.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 26 May 2010 14:17:29 +0000

In reply to Beverly.

Beverly, an interesting post would be how to get a client to “trust the process.” How to prepare them.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 26 May 2010 14:16:33 +0000

In reply to Michelle.

Michelle: Good for you! Some artists thrive off of commissions and others’ ideas. REALLY thrive. They love the collaborative process. You have to be right for it.

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