tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post5158462922307603553..comments2024-03-03T15:01:00.402-05:00Comments on Joanne Mattera Art Blog: Marketing Mondays: You’ve Been Asked to do a CommissionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-70785030082141011202009-11-28T23:33:06.228-05:002009-11-28T23:33:06.228-05:00Thanks for this great information, Joanne. And I&#...Thanks for this great information, Joanne. And I'll look forward to that post on collaboration!Cindy Morefieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16729120095244768588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-35393157563557905742009-11-19T12:50:45.252-05:002009-11-19T12:50:45.252-05:00Great topic!
Here's a quote from a book I r...Great topic! <br /><br />Here's a quote from a book I read, written by a well known artists career coach/advocate.<br /><br />"Under no circumstances should you pay more than 25 percent of the artist's fee for commissioned projects obtained through an art consultant, a gallery dealer, or any form of agent. In other words, do not pay a commission on the overhead expenses of the Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-45776109083689912542009-11-19T01:19:33.470-05:002009-11-19T01:19:33.470-05:00Tamar,
Thanks for bringing that up. I also increa...Tamar,<br /><br />Thanks for bringing that up. I also increase the price, usually by 20%, for the same reasons you mentioned. (So much info in this post that that item disappeared during one of my edits.)Joanne Matterahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02564594823192456546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-15147212226524713362009-11-18T21:30:51.308-05:002009-11-18T21:30:51.308-05:00Terrific post on an important topic. Generally, I...Terrific post on an important topic. Generally, I'll show a client jpgs of existing work to get a sense of palette and direction, but I don't send images of the work in progress. The understanding with the client is that the completed commission will capture the spirit and palette of existing work. <br /><br />One area that I don't think was addressed is pricing. I generally Tamar Zinnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-70323825335029914782009-11-17T22:51:23.449-05:002009-11-17T22:51:23.449-05:00Collaboration. Interesting idea for a post. I'...Collaboration. Interesting idea for a post. I'll put it on the list.Joanne Matterahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02564594823192456546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-30871625882248382322009-11-17T19:58:03.449-05:002009-11-17T19:58:03.449-05:00A great post as you already know from the response...A great post as you already know from the response. Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable knowledge.Susan Burethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12622913335854938782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-53903947620433632162009-11-17T19:49:00.065-05:002009-11-17T19:49:00.065-05:00I've done sculpture commissions for private co...I've done sculpture commissions for private collectors and I've had good experiences. One was an outdoor piece that involved proposing drawings of several compositions and from that the client selected one choice. I got 50% up front and 50% at the end. It was a 2 week job on site and they ok'd and commented as the work progressed and they were happy with it. The most recent Donna Dodsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17068704959733467515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-52594670209947271172009-11-17T17:09:01.567-05:002009-11-17T17:09:01.567-05:00Another insightful and informative post. Thank yo...Another insightful and informative post. Thank you, Joanne- and also to those who've commented.<br /><br />I've done commission work and have actually enjoyed each one, perhaps due in part to good communications before beginning any work.<br /><br />I am not currently with a gallery, so I use a written contract, which I feel is vital if there is no dealer involved. I ask for a deposit Stephanie Claytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13208066564509737843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-6844101353535092572009-11-17T14:35:40.017-05:002009-11-17T14:35:40.017-05:00Mentioning showing the work in progress . This jus...Mentioning showing the work in progress . This just wouldn't work too well for me. Although I can show it as it's more than half done to the designer. Only my only 5 x 12 ft piece she told the hospital that they would have to trust HER that she knew what she was doing and that I did...also they had purchased two 30 x 30's that they liked of mine.<br />That's the way I like to workCMChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05946336431994312623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-67151077928487420402009-11-17T14:27:51.258-05:002009-11-17T14:27:51.258-05:00I do commissions exactly as Tracy describes- the &...I do commissions exactly as Tracy describes- the "semi-commission". I just cannot show work in process. This method has never failed me.graceannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04305276095056132959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-1575294614483973752009-11-17T11:56:00.000-05:002009-11-17T11:56:00.000-05:00Great post Joanne.
The only thing I have to add is...Great post Joanne.<br />The only thing I have to add is that when I've done commissions, I've added a provision that stipulates if the institution decides to deaccession the piece that a museum of my naming be offered first refusal.<br />This has never been necessary but I still use it.Ann L. E. Bachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06741638655586940886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-50761625436668848682009-11-17T08:37:14.267-05:002009-11-17T08:37:14.267-05:00Another great post Joanne! Thanks so much for feat...Another great post Joanne! Thanks so much for featuring my piece at the top -- and thanks Chris for the nice comment.<br /><br />Just to echo some of Joanie's comments -- the corporate commission really is a different animal. This particular piece was commissioned through a consultant,and involved a long process -- sending computer generated color studies, followed by a few actual pieces for S.A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10133408897629306555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-63709156742366313082009-11-17T08:36:23.844-05:002009-11-17T08:36:23.844-05:00ha ha.. boy is that true, Joanie. You would think ...ha ha.. boy is that true, Joanie. You would think they need the work ASAP and then they are gone, maybe to return. I never actually do a commission until I get the 50% down. For pre-existing work that is the way it works. I never give over my copyright, Hylla. When I do commissions it's because they know what I do and respect that. I don't mine colors and sizes or even moods, but then letCMChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05946336431994312623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-50430913033677382782009-11-17T07:46:27.648-05:002009-11-17T07:46:27.648-05:00Most of my income is from commissioned artwork. I ...Most of my income is from commissioned artwork. I mainly work with art consultants making site-specific art for public spaces such as hospitals, corporate environments, hotel lobbies etc. <br /><br />Working with a consultant is quite different. They work within a budget and you never know what their commission is. You have a wholesale price, hopefully, that you can stick to. They often try to Joanie Gagnon San Chiricohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08992948840276768588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-14191480397352565862009-11-17T03:59:41.956-05:002009-11-17T03:59:41.956-05:00ps - the reason I mention that is that a contract ...ps - the reason I mention that is that a contract can educate the client thus avoiding issues later. By default (without the specific work made for hire phrase), the artist owns and controls all right to reproduce the work.<br />If an artist paints a commissioned portrait for instance, the buyer may not make greeting cards with the image. They may of course display the actual painting as they Hylla Evanshttp://www.evansencaustics.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-48095259759531393172009-11-17T03:53:04.479-05:002009-11-17T03:53:04.479-05:00In your commission contract, do you include that i...In your commission contract, do you include that it's a "work made for hire?" I'm hoping you don't, unless it's so personalized a work that you don't feel you need to retain the copyright.Hylla Evanshttp://www.evansencaustics.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-66432567563772854212009-11-16T20:41:47.290-05:002009-11-16T20:41:47.290-05:00Joanne, thanks for this post. I've just comple...Joanne, thanks for this post. I've just completed 2 paintings for a semi-commission a la Tracy. (No barns though. My work is non-representational or abstract.) A client who has bought several of my paintings through the gallery requested a piece of a certain size and color scheme. The gallery owner/director suggested that I paint 2 pieces, which I think is a good idea, and one I might not Pamela Farrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14892384331947566237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-19293687527624052862009-11-16T19:21:42.211-05:002009-11-16T19:21:42.211-05:00Fabulous post, Joanne. I got the link from Alyson ...Fabulous post, Joanne. I got the link from Alyson but usually get your emails.<br /><br />I've done most all of what you suggest except for the second painting idea. LOVE it, and will definitely do this next time unless it's another 12 ft one. I love painting large but where in the heck to store it is a problem.CMChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05946336431994312623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-68057556826343591472009-11-16T17:01:49.081-05:002009-11-16T17:01:49.081-05:00Thanks, all, for your generous comments.
Alyson,
...Thanks, all, for your generous comments.<br /><br />Alyson,<br />Yes, by "courtesy" I mean a discount. I've worked with most of my dealers for a long enough time that I trust them to do the best for me while doing what they need to do to close the sale. But I stand firm on no discounts on the actual commissioned work once a price has been agreed upon.<br /><br />Tracy,<br />WhateverJoanne Matterahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02564594823192456546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-86282243991928558482009-11-16T16:44:53.840-05:002009-11-16T16:44:53.840-05:00Great, informative post. I have done commissions ...Great, informative post. I have done commissions but never made two pieces so the client could choose. That is a very good idea.<br />kKRCampbellArthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185783768927918993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-82818273847811483582009-11-16T16:18:40.322-05:002009-11-16T16:18:40.322-05:00I just want to say: Good for Steven!I just want to say: Good for Steven!Chris Rywalthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15766746064219235983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-81531363652353550572009-11-16T15:24:20.640-05:002009-11-16T15:24:20.640-05:00I do what I call 'semi-commissions'. Basic...I do what I call 'semi-commissions'. Basically, the client tells the gallery director what they would like; subject matter(usually barns or no barns), colors, size are usually the items my collectors are concerned with most. I do not accept any money in advance and there is no contract, I have the director make it clear to the client that if they like it, they buy it, if they don't Tracy Helgesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510044613771862211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-13647224343151050722009-11-16T13:49:29.790-05:002009-11-16T13:49:29.790-05:00This is a fantastic post, thank you so much! I'...This is a fantastic post, thank you so much! I've done a number of commissions, and never followed the same procedure twice (a mistake, in my mind). I really like the idea of doing two pieces, for smaller to mid-size commissions, and the idea of letting the client in at the mid-way process. <br /><br />I don't really have anything of value to add, except that I think when an artist Lisa Hebdenhttp://www.lisahebden.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-7009748705649951722009-11-16T13:49:10.294-05:002009-11-16T13:49:10.294-05:00Wonderful post, Joanne! I'll be sending lots o...Wonderful post, Joanne! I'll be sending lots of people over to read this. Just for clarification, when you say " I feel a 10% or 15% “courtesy” is acceptable on the second work" do you mean a courtesy discount? How is that arranged with the gallery?Alyson B. Stanfieldhttp://www.artbizblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30832682.post-62204765915867874752009-11-16T12:06:31.117-05:002009-11-16T12:06:31.117-05:00Thank you very much for posting this, Joanne. You ...Thank you very much for posting this, Joanne. You have covered a lot of ground and obviously speak from experience. I appreciate your saving me a lot of grief in advance by pointing out where problems can arise. I have saved your post in my "Commissions" folder, and I'm glad to be prepared for all the commissions I expect to roll in once this "recession" ends. If only on Nancy Natalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325421420384484035noreply@blogger.com