The Art of Commissioning: the struggles and the reward.

One sunny morning working from my home in the beautiful Caribbean country of Venezuela, I was taking a sip of my coffee ready to start the day and get some commissions done. The sun was coming from the window casting beautiful shadows over my desk and my loyal cat companion, Nami, was looking at me with curiosity, as always. Right after logging on to my computer, I noticed a message from a new customer. “It’s always exacting to get new people to work with” I think to myself, and start reading what they said:

It looked like a very friendly person, mentioning how much he loved my art and style and was curious if I had some time left to take on a commission he had in mind. He has been looking for an artist for a long time, it was the first time he ever tried to get a commission done, and it has been a “nightmare”. His words really caught my attention and before getting into any details of the actual commission, I asked about his experience, what had happened that he was so stressed?!.

Well, he explained, first, I was so excited to get my first commission with so much energy and good attitude, but actually, my idea was really really vague, I told the artist that I wanted something very magical and special that made my days better, like a cool looking scene, and well, the artist was very polite but confused too.Yeah I can get it, I tell him, some commissions can start with very few details, but the motive or the main idea should be clear. What happened next? 

Well even when the artist was very polite and tried to explain everything to me, It got awkward very fast and the process was a mess, as it wasn’t clear exactly what I wanted, we talked a couple of times but in different days or with a lot of hours in between replies, they did some sketches, but I didn’t really liked it but also wasn’t sure why or what we needed to change. 

The artist was frustrated too so he didn’t work too much on the commission, so most of the time I was writing to ask for updates and if it was getting any better, and days went by without any response. Then back and forth, back and forth with nonsense changes. After a couple of months we decided to just stop. It wasn’t going anywhere and we were just tired and frustrated.

I can tell it was a real struggle for both of you, but are you clear now on exactly what you want? Yes, he says, I’m crystal clear now, after that incident I actually gathered my thoughts and now I can actually tell you exactly what I want!!

That’s great to know!!! But now I’m curious, did you have any other problems in your first attempt to get a commission?. I ask.

Well, actually yes, a couple of problems more, he replies. Before all of this experience, I actually had no idea of the commission world. Not a single idea, and when I got to the point of speaking of the cost with the artists, I spoke about my budget and threw out some embarrassingly low numbers thinking it was totally reasonable. The artists were kind enough to explain to me their rates and I nearly choked. At that point It got kinda weird too, the artist had to emphasize that the price wasn’t just for the art itself but for the time, the skill, the effort, and all those extra details that I didn't even think about before. I really wanted this piece done, it was important to me. Art is an investment that after thinking about it and getting the explanation from the artist, I realized what involved and the real value.

Besides the pricing, I was very stressed when we did the revisions, I was thinking it looked off, or asking “is it gonna look like that in the end?”, and asking to check what it looked like every hour, any time I could. The artist was so stressed and I understand, I didn’t allow them to work, I was just writing and writing, and I don’t have that sense of imagination to see the big picture and visualize the progress, and how it is gonna look when it’s done. And if some of the art was still a sketch I felt it would just look like that in the end, even second guessing if my idea was even good. I was so stressed. The artist then told me that after that point there were no more changes and got me even more frenetic about the whole thing. 

That was definitely a mind changer, I wanted to enjoy the artpiece and the process not suffer for it. Also wanted to give the artist the space to make ART, and do their job, I’m not an artist, that’s why I’m reaching out to them, and to you now. It was a very intense experience but I feel better prepared now. I really want this commission done and I think it’s the right time now.

I was so surprised by this story and could understand each situation so well. It’s so common to feel lost or confused when trying to commission an artist when you know nothing about it. It was a very intense experience as far as I can see, I say to him. But also it was a good way to learn exactly what you don’t want or how not to handle these situations. I would gladly help you with your commission. I have all my information ready for you and if you have any other questions I’m here to answer them.

Thank you so much!, he says. Yes, I read your rates and I love your style and I’m ready to start the process.

Happy to hear that!!! So, what are we gonna create this time? Tell me more about it….

……..…. And that way, a new bond of collaboration and passion for art started, and will continue for many years!