Sat, Jun 4th, 2011 Each commission has a life of its own. This job began as a thought in late January and is complete today, early June. We were not working together all that time.
First the client saw me at an art show in Sarasota, FL. They fell in love with a small piece and considered buying it. When the came back to my booth, they had a new thought, we're moving into a new home and have a large wall, perhaps you can make this bigger. Great, I said. Let's get in touch next week.
Well a few weeks went by, a few emails back and forth and before I knew it, March was upon our doorstep. I was invited to come to their home to see their style, the wall in question and create a piece of artwork for them. Once I had dimensions, photos and a good idea of the client's needs, I wrote a proposal, the down payment was made and the commission began officially in late March.
As I traveled a lot in April, I knew I wouldn't make it til after that. From start to finish, it took about 6 weeks and now, after process shots (see below) photos of firings, more conversations and more photos - A Selection Has Been Made!
It has been a great process. Commissions are an honor to do because you develop a relationship, you become a part of someone's very important decisions, life transitions their process. You, the client, asks me, the Artist, to join you in a personal journey. My style is to want to be fully present to this shared experience and to create something that is perfect for you, beyond your expectation. But it's important to know that it's YOUR CREATION TOO.
Without the input, the conversations, the exchange of ideas, the energy of the client - enthusiasm, concerns, suggestions, I would be out there all alone. Commissions are a creative collaboration between both parties. It's part of why I like them: I get challenged to move in new directions I may not go on my own, it is a relationship (& I love 'relationships') and the client is an intimate part of the creative process . We join in trust, ideas & enthusiasm....out of which comes artwork. It's really very cool.
I have done a lot of commissions this winter, each one has been a joy. I have moved and learned and grown through those processes. If you are one of those people who is 'thinking about it' this is a bit more insight into how it works. Feel free to browse previous posts and see how it all develops. Of course email me if you have any questions!
