Tree in Oil, 2013 86" x 42" by Callie Hirsch
Working on a commissioned
piece is never easy, but getting paid for your art makes it totally worthwhile.
Not only do I build the canvas to suit the size the client wants, I also
deliver and hang the artwork. This is a full service commission and well
worth the effort. In the end we are all happy and I can go home thinking
that I did a good job.
To start, I invite the
potential buyer/s over to my studio. There they can view my current
projects and get an idea of what it is they would like to live with.
Later I will visit them and analyze the colors I am working with, such as
painted walls, and the couch color, where the painting will reside over.
After we agree on a size, I get to work. I purchase the canvas and
the stretchers to the size decided upon. I paint the background to the
piece on the floor. It is more of a paint rubbing and the floor is a
strong support, to build the sky. I let that dry and then stretch the
canvas on stretchers to finish the piece.
During the painting
process, I send the buyer updated photos to make sure I am going in a direction
they like. About 75% completed, I will have the buyer over to see the
colors in person and make sure that we are still heading in a good direction.
Upon completion, and if agreed upon, I deliver the piece for final
inspection. At that point it is hung, so that it does not sit in a corner
for weeks until someone has enough energy to go through the efforts. And
we are done, the painting is transforming the room, and warmth and color bring
the joy of a check in hand.
I then create a purchase receipt with a photo of the painting included
and send that off to the buyer as proof of sale and artist. That completed, I
also now have a copy for my taxes and art records of sales.
