My First Art Commission

A number of years ago I was asked if I would paint a particular kind of
painting on commission. The purchaser was a well known architect and I was
very flattered to be asked to create a work of art for his home. We had
several conversations about what was required and we came to an
understanding about the price and the specifications of the painting.
He had recently purchased a one of a kind rug that he planned to use as
a wall hanging. What he wanted me to do was to design a large painting that
would hang on the opposite wall from the rug. The painting should have a
similar or complementary color scheme and be in the style he knew I was
working in at the time. Also, the size needed to be a very specific size,
six feet square.

I immediately began to draw a number of small sketches that would give
him an idea of the way I was thinking about this project. We agreed
verbally that I should go ahead and create the painting. Well I was full
speed ahead on this project and began the work of building the stretchers,
and laying out the new canvas. The actual painting took a number of weeks
and it was very stimulating to be working on this project.

This was my first experience with having art commissioned. I was very
naive and ignorant of the way business works so I agreed to the project on
the basis of trust and a handshake. I now know that is not enough. I had
not asked for a down payment when I began the project because it didn't
even occur to me to do so.

When the painting was finished I called my client and he and his wife
came to my studio to see the painting. And there's where the first mistake
showed up. His wife was not involved in the purchase and when she saw the
painting, she didn't like it. She liked my work, but she didn't like the
painting. I believe she was angry at him because he hadn't included her in
the decision making. She had the veto power, and unfortunately, I was the
one it was aimed at.

When it turned out that the painting was rejected, I immediately offered
to sell them another painting from my studio at the same price. They agreed
so all was not lost. The only problem was that I was now in possession of a
painting that was so specific that it would be hard to sell it to someone
else.

Several years later I sold the painting to another collector but the
experience I gained from my first commision taught me a lot. I now know
that I need a written contract and a down payment on the price agreed upon
as well as a schedule of payment as the work progresses. I also know that
all parties involved in the purchase need to be on board.

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First published on Qassia.