About an Artist's Income...
by Valerie Lovelace on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 5:20pm
Before you ask an artist to paint for free or at a discount, please consider this:
Art is my work, that's why it is called artWORK. Please be assured that I work just as hard for my living as you do for yours. The term "Starving Artist" was coined for a very good reason. Many people think because our work is a 'cra
ft'...like it isn't REAL work or something...that we shouldn't receive REAL pay for it. How much do you earn, gross, per year? Now add your employer's FICA share (7.5% of your gross wages). Now add your employer's healthcare share for the year. Now add your employer's 401K share and other benefits if you have them, including your vacation value. How many incomes does it take to run your household, pay your bills, and enjoy an occasional meal out, a movie, or a fishing trip? I pay no less to live than you do. I do not get discounts on food, clothing, shelter, medicines, utlities, and the like because I am an artist. To create a piece for you, I have to pay for tools, materials, paints, and other supplies. And then I have to invest my time and energy, much like you do at your job. I take my work very seriously, so I invest a LOT of time and energy to create something I am willing to sign. You're right, I am not a famous artist (not yet). So I won't charge you what a famous artist would charge (how does $30,000 for a fine portrait grab you?). I'll charge you much less than that, but you will still get a very high quality, skilled piece. You still want a discount? Then you won't mind if I only paint one eye on your child's portrait? Or the bottom half of the face? Perhaps it will be okay if I only paint PART of your motorcycle? Mind if I watch while you try to paint it?
