One of my favorite commissions was when I was brought on to create the focal point of a room. The couple was redecorating their bedroom. They had already picked out a favorite sheet pattern so the color palette had already been established. From there I received a pillowcase and that's what influenced the creation of the piece. To begin the process, we negotiated the size artwork that they could afford. This is what most people don't understand. They didn't commission a $3,000 piece they commissioned what was within their means. If your budget can only handle a certain amount then that's what is established upfront, it's up to the artist to let you know if that's possible. In most cases the artist can control the price by size and complexity. It's up to you to decide if the cost is within your grasp.
As with most cases this couple had a decorating budget, so they had a price in mind for art within that budget. After the focal piece was created, we then picked a wall color to complement the piece. The couple loved their piece so much, that they decided to have another complementing work commissioned for another wall in the room. This second work was smaller than the first and had the same exact colors so as to color coordinate the room. The final touch was for me to create a hand-painted cloth throw pillow to match the sheet design. Keep in mind that swatches were used from the time the original sheet pattern was picked so the wall art colors custom matched the store bought sheets. Once the cloth was painted it was ready to go to their seamstress to create the custom throw pillow. However, when I returned I found that the couple had put the cloth on stretchers as a third original piece. They had fallen in love with the cloth and had decided that they wanted it on the wall instead of on their bed.
Their room had been transformed into a master bedroom art gallery! All they needed to complete their look was a comforter, throw pillows (store bought), and curtains. All these items were purchased with the original artwork in mind. Three of the four walls were commissioned art based on their budget. Indeed, the budget did expand as they fell in love with adding additional pieces. But the bottom line of the story is, that they only spent what they were willing and able to spend. They now were the proud owners of unique, commissioned artwork.
You don't have to be a Rockefeller to own original art pieces, you just need to have a room, a wall, and a budget. No one decides to redecorate a room without a budget, just make sure you include artwork with your calculations.
What's your favorite hobby? Favorite colors? Favorite destination? Why not have a commissioned piece created as the focal point of a room.
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| FSB by JaMax This piece was created to match a already painted room and included the clients initials repeated in all the paint colors. |
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