How to Commission a Piece of Custom Art for Your Home
A big part of a successful interior design project has NOTHING to do with interior design.
The type, size, colour and mood of art displayed in your home has a BIG impact on the overall interior design.
Since I am NOT an expert on art, I contacted someone who knows their stuff.
Andrew Stelmack is a Canadian abstract, contemporary visual artist and he was kind enough to teach us everything we need to know about commissioning a piece of custom art for our homes.
Take it away Andrew…
THINKING OF COMMISSIONING A PIECE OF CUSTOM ARTWORK?
IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK
I love collaborating with a client or a designer or an architect on a new piece of art for a specific project or a space. It is the perfect win-win situation. The owner of the artwork gets a piece of art tailored to them and their needs and they get to be a part of the exciting creation process. And for me the artist, nothing helps push my boundaries more as being asked to move outside my comfort zone. The best way for an artist to grow is to be pushed now and then and I for one am always eager to the challenge.
Unfortunately, unlike artists, going outside one’s comfort zone is not most peoples “go-to choice” of going about things. Particularly when it comes to art. Asking for a commissioned piece from an artist seems like a daunting, uncomfortable and complicated thing to do.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
I can’t tell you how often I have been told: “I love your work but I need a much larger piece or a one in a specific size” or “I love your work so much but I’m not fond of (insert any colour here)” or “I love your work but I was looking for something with more (insert any colour here)”.
The response from me is, “that’s okay, I can do that.”
Then their eyes open wide.
“Really?” they reply as if it never crossed their mind.
Truth is, after you talk to them a bit more, you find out they did wonder if they could ask for a different size or a different colour(s) but thought that it would be offensive to ask. Or, that it would cost way more to get an artwork commissioned just for them and didn’t want to get stuck with something they didn’t like in the end.
It makes me sad to think they weren’t willing to embark on this fun process because of these barriers and so, let me help debunk the myths.
It is not offensive to ask an artist to create an artwork for you in a specific size or with certain colour schemes. The good ones will see it as a challenge and an opportunity to grow. (Sure, some may be pretentious and only “create for themselves” but trust me, those are few and far between. If they don’t do them, move on and don’t take any guilt for asking with you.)
Commissions do not cost more. In general (and certainly with me) I charge by the square inch so there is no mystery to the cost. Any artist should be able to give you a price for the artwork in advance and if it is considerably more than others in the same size range they already have, you are completely in the right to ask why the difference.
You do not need to end up with something you do not love. My practice is that I take 30% up front as a deposit with the remainder due upon delivery. In the event the client did not like the artwork – which has never happened – they get their 30% back when I sell the artwork to someone else. So, while you may not get the deposit back immediately, you will eventually. In the end, the risk you are taking is very small. And I cant emphasize enough. If you know what you want, articulate it with the artist and the artist listens the success rate is nearly 100%.
So, the big questions now is: How does it work?
STEP #1 - FIND THE ARTIST
The first is obvious. Find an artist who’s work you already love. Don’t ask them to reinvent the wheel for you. Don’t ask for flowers or a portrait from an abstract artist and vice versa. You are asking them to create something in the world they already work in with some specific things you have in mind being incorporated.
If you want a large artwork, make sure the artist has done them before. Quite often artists who make smaller works are not able to create as effectively on a larger scale.
A great place to find artists are at the various indoor/outdoor art shows in any city. This is the primary way artists now sell art and clients buy from them as the galleries become fewer and fewer. It is also an environment many feel more comfortable to look at art. It is where relationships are formed with an artist directly. There is always going to be different levels and kinds of artistry at these events, but many very talented, well-known and established artists will be there. The odds of finding something or an artist you like is very high. Some of the best shows in Toronto are The Artist Project (February) and The Riverdale Artwalk (first week of June). They are at the top of my list as they are visual arts only. Then there are other shows where visual art is presented along with other things in shows like The Toronto Outdoor Art Festival at Nathan Phillips Square (July), Art In The Park (Aug in Oakville) and Queen West ArtCrawl (Sept), to name but a few. There are also many others outside the city in various communities.
STEP #2 - MEET THE ARTIST
Arrange to meet with the artist in their space – or better yet, in your own.
Sit down and go through their entire portfolio with them and let them know what you like (or don’t like) and why. This enables the artist to get a solid grasp of what you want.
Ask them to show some commissions they have done and what it was the client asked for to create the artwork.
Show the artist where you want the artwork to go. Often the artist can tell you instantly (from experience) what the right size is. I even suggest taping out the size on the wall and let them live with it for a few days and before finalizing the size decision.
Be clear on the specific things you are looking for in YOUR artwork.
Set the price and give the deposit.
STEP #3 - LET THE ARTIST CREATE
Make sure the artist gives you a firm timeline as to when you should expect it done.
It is okay to check in once, maybe twice as the work is being created for “a peek”. But be aware, creating an artwork is a process and what you see is always evolving and all you should expect to confirm is that it is “in the world” of what you were thinking. (I like to show my clients once, when I am two-thirds of the way through it, for their thoughts/impressions.)
STEP #4 - THE REVEAL
Get excited to know that the artwork is on its way to you. I am confident in saying that it is very likely you are about to be thrilled. And guess what? Unlike just buying an artwork already done, you get the added bonus to know that you were part of the process and a piece of you resides in the artwork as well.
So, there you have it. Purchasing art the usual way has its place and its a comfortable way to buy. But sometimes that perfect piece you are looking for lurks in the collaboration with one of your favourite artists.
What’s stopping you? Go for it!
About the Author
Using bold and conflicting colours, shapes and textures, Andrew Stelmack explores an obsession of finding “the calm within chaos”. He will often use strong colours to energize and yet calm the senses at the same time. He will also combine the opposing effects of texture with smooth luminosity — within the same space — until they find a shared and harmonious balance. As you can see the use of squares or derivatives of them, often play a role. Upon first seeing his work, there is a "wow" factor. His work will grab your attention. Then, as you carefully explore the work and its layers and textures you will find a sense of calm and introspection come over you. The calm within chaos.
