A post in three parts. Here we go.
First, here’s a painting I just finished yesterday called Pouty Bear. Even though most of the animals I paint are smiling and happy, I occasionally change them up, even if I know that a different expression may not appeal to people.
My Angry Bear painting is not popular, but it’s still one of my favourites because I enjoyed the work. The grumpy lion, on the other hand, is a pretty good seller, and that surprised me. The Ring-tailed Lemur creeps some people out but definitely has its fans.
Will this pouting brown bear connect with people? Time will tell.
Commissions and Comic-Con
I’ve enjoyed most of the pet portrait commissions I’ve done. Each has a unique story. I like the back-and-forth with clients and am usually happy with the results.
I only paint two or three commissions a year, sometimes only one, so they’re not a big part of my work. I’m OK with that because custom paintings are labour-intensive. Each begins with initial client emails, vetting photos, and discussing expectations. This leads to the actual painting, printing and delivery, which takes several weeks at the best of times. That’s in addition to my daily editorial cartoons and paintings and running my business.
A whimsical wildlife painting takes several hours, too, but each of those paintings has the potential to become a popular print or licensed image that sells for many years. Although every commission advertises my skills to future clients, the painting itself is one and done. It’s unique and specific to the person who hired me. Very few people want a painting of somebody else’s dog.
For my clients, a commission is not an impulse buy; it’s an investment in a very personal and meaningful custom painting. Most people hire me after following my work for a while and becoming familiar with my art style and process. They’ve had time to think about a commission, decide they want one, and only then do they contact me.
At the Calgary Expo a few years ago, Jeremy asked me about painting his dog, Luna. It was several months later before he reached out and got the ball rolling for a Christmas present for his wife, Jenny. Luna is one of my favourite paintings. I enjoyed the experience and look forward to seeing them each year at the Expo. Jeremy and Jenny even visited the Banff Christmas Market this year and brought their dogs along.
I am asked about commissions at shows all the time. For the past couple of years, I have displayed an 18” X24” metal print of Luna in my booth, with a little sign in the corner that reads, “YES, I DO paint commissions. Ask me for more info.”
Since advertising the service with Luna’s painting, I get a lot more inquiries. But here’s the thing: Jeremy was the exception to the rule. Almost nobody hires me for a commission after meeting me at shows. And I’ve realized that talking about commissions is usually the quickest way to get somebody to leave my booth.
Whether it’s at the Calgary Expo or the Banff Christmas Market, here’s how that usually goes. While they scan the metal and canvas prints hanging on the grid walls that define my booth, they see the Luna painting and the commission sign. They get excited that I might paint their dog, and the first question is usually, “How much would that cost?”
I’ve used various talking points to try to soften the sticker shock. I mention that a custom painting is an investment and personal to them. I explain how much work is involved, including printing and shipping/delivery. But as soon as I mention it’s $1900, the disappointed look on most people’s faces is unmistakable.
The price surprises those who are used to buying underpriced art on Etsy, which is often generated AI or photo manipulation. I don’t know how much they thought a custom original painting would cost, but it was much less than what I just quoted them. Because even though very few will flat out say, “I can’t afford that,” it’s evident in their reaction, and that makes them feel embarrassed, even though they shouldn’t. I don’t drop two thousand dollars on anything without planning and careful consideration, so I don’t expect anyone else to.
But now they’re uncomfortable. Their initial enthusiasm for my work, which attracted them to my booth in the first place, is tarnished, and they want to escape this negative feeling as soon as possible. They’ll often ask for a card and say they’ll be in touch, leave the booth, and I know I’m unlikely to ever hear from them.
They never got around to flipping through the 40-50 different prints in the bins, nor did they see the magnets, coasters, stickers, or postcards. I’ll never know how many sales I might have missed if the commission price hadn’t scared them away.
As much as I love showing off that Luna painting, I won’t bring it to shows anymore. I’ll still get commission inquiries at The Calgary Expo, but I won’t advertise them. I’m likely to say that I’m not taking any right now with my current workload.
Like a commission, The Calgary Expo and Banff Christmas Markets are big investments, which I hope will result in excellent sales and allow me to introduce my work to new people. And when they see my happy, smiling animals, along with the occasional pouty bear or grumpy lion, I want to invite them in and show them around my booth rather than give them a reason to leave.
If they sign up for A Wilder View, they can always look into a commission later and decide on their own time that they want to talk about it.
As with all self-employment, art-for-a-living is about adaptation. When something isn’t working, it’s time to make a change.
Tote Bags
Thank you for all the positive comments and emails about the new Otter and Smiling Tiger tote bags I’m ordering for the Calgary Expo. These vibrant printed bags are 100% polyester textured canvas, machine wash and dry, and will withstand everyday use while looking great. Each measures 16” X 13” X 3”.
Several people emailed me asking if I’ll have them in the online store. As with any new product, I must guess how many I might need for the show. Production and delivery timelines mean I won’t get these for more than a month, so I need to order them on Monday to have them in time for the end of April.
While I think they’ll do very well, they’re a significant investment, and I’m erring on the side of caution, which means I hadn’t planned on ordering extras for the online store until I see how they do. And if I added them to the store first and they do very well, I won’t be able to order more in time for Expo.
But I’d love to hear your thoughts.
At $29 plus $5 shipping (in Canada) for one bag, would you buy one if I stocked them on my site? Depending on the feedback, I may increase how many I order tomorrow to accommodate online sales. Please let me know in the comments.
Cheers,
Patrick
Ooooo, I’d love a tote!
Hi Patrick. I would definitely order two of the Otter bags if available. Your paintings always make me smile and that one is my favorite ?.
Thanks, Sherri. That’s why I chose these two for the first designs. There’s no doubt they are my most popular paintings. Basically, for the first outing, these two critters are a safe bet. 🙂
I would definitely order your Smiling Tiger as a tote, with shipping to the US.
Thanks, Chris!
Hi Patrick,
I am hoping to order a couple Smiling Tiger bags and more stickers soon. Please put them online ?
I am convinced, so I’ll make sure to order enough that I can accommodate both the online shopper and the folks that come to Expo.
I would absolutely buy a bag and maybe more than one for gifts. Your art is so much fun.
Thanks, Karen! Cheers.
Hi Patrick,
Yes, I would buy one of your bags. If only to let others know what a very talented Canadian artist we have ?
Yes, I love pouty bear! He makes me wonder why he is pouting and why I see him in my mirror so often. Perhaps it’s listening to US politics ???
Great work!!!! Your work truly has CHARACTER!!!
Glad you like the pouty bear. My thought at one point was that he was enjoying his swim and was asking for five more minutes when called to dinner. What can I say, I have an overactive imagination.
Hi Patrick,
Super quickly, we will most deffo have one of your totes, without a doubt. They are gorgeous! Am ruminating on at least one or possibly 2 more meanwhile, should you make them available to us further away from you. Is it possible to figure out some kind of flat shippping cost for yourself and your customers too?
PS: Sorry to hear $2,000 puts SOME people off from buying your bespoke commissioned art! UGH! As you say, perhaps it is the wrong (not the right word but in too much of a hurry to find a better) target audience at shows? These kinds of decisions may require more rumination time in private?
Thank you for all the joy and validation you bring us with your art!
Appreciatively,
Anna
Thanks for the feedback, Anna. As for the price of a commission, I don’t think too many think it’s not worth it when they consider it, it just puts them off balance when they aren’t expecting. My pet portrait clients who have commissioned their own pieces have never complained about the price once they get their finished painting. I’ve even had more than a few gratuities, which is NOT required, but it does signal their approval of the whole thing. I agree, though, spending that kind of money deserves careful consideration.
I would buy your totes through your online store!! I am occasionally in AB but rarely line up with when you are at events.
That was the argument made by one person who emailed, which prompted the question…what if they can’t get to Expo but still want a bag. Thanks for the feedback.
Yes pls for the bags!! I am a huge fan… I met you at the calgary con, but I haven’t made it back again, so your online store is my inky access to your stuff. Thanks.
Thanks, Judith!
Martha and I LOVE your paintings or rather prints because they are in our price range… But the Tote bags are not our ‘thing’ and too small to really use. However, we both LOVE the Pouty Bear – he is SO cute and looks like a big dog with that ‘What did I do now’ look… after being called out to be scolded…
Thanks Dave and Martha. Yeah, tote bags aren’t my thing, either, they were never on my radar. But it only took a little research to discover they are very popular. Kind of like when my friend Darrel suggested stickers. I had no idea how popular they were and they’re now one of my bestselling products. Shonna was a bit stuck on wanting a larger size for grocery bags, but that’s not why most people buy tote bags, apparently. Many use them now instead of a purse and the dimensions I got are considered a medium size tote. So hopefully, for those who use them, mine will be a popular choice. Glad you like the pouty bear. I have always found dogs and bears have the best faces for expression and personality, so the comparison is apt. Cheers!
Yes, I would buy a tote online. Otter and smiling tiger are two of my favorites, so would be a tough choice.
Thanks, Leanne!
Just commenting on your tote bags.
Yes I would love to order 1 otter bag for myself. If you do get some for the store I would love to have it before the comic expo so I can use it before and at the Expo and help promote your business and amazing art.
Sincerely,
1 of your fans of your
email blog and art work.
Thank you, Lindsey. I appreciate the support and compliments! Cheers!
I’d totes order the tote bags:) I love having different/unique bags for my day-to-day back & forth trek to the office (hauling everything from library books, correspondence, and/or my lunch). Also, for the record: I was surprised your commission fee wasn’t more, and the finished piece of art is priceless to me!
Thanks Sarah. I’m so glad you felt the experience and painting was worth your time and investment. Lucas was a joy to paint.
I would definitely buy a tote bag if you offered them online. I had previously inquired if you would offer coasters online, as I would like those too. I’ve seen your t-shirts at the local Pharmasave, but I’m not someone who like a lot of designs on clothing, so a tote bag would be perfect!
Thanks, Ingrid. The coasters are more difficult for me to stock as there are so many different designs that people want, plus shipping is more because of the weight. While I’d love to stock everything, I have to choose carefully. And different items come from different companies, which can be an added challenge. Glad you like the tote bags, though. That’s why I’m starting with two designs, but more may be added later. Cheers!
Patrick, I’d buy the 3 of the smiling tiger tote bags if you stocked it!
Ronda
Thanks, Ronda! I’ll let you know when I have them and of course, happy to deliver. No charge. 🙂
Take my money.
As soon as the bags hit the online store , I would be getting the smiling tiger.
Need to be the first to have one in Victoria!
OK, you’re being really vague…do you want one or not? 🙂
I am convinced, Genevieve. I’ll be ordering enough for the online store. Thanks for your support.
Hi Patrick,
The Gang and I hope we’re not too late to say “Yes indeed!!” we’d love a bag or two.
It’s so cold and snowy here, we feel a little like we’re hibernating (just explaining our slow response time).
Barb & Gang
Thanks, Barb! In light of all of the enthusiastic response, I have ordered more. They should be available in about a month. Hope it warms up for you soon!
YES to the totem bags! Great addition to your work!
Thanks, Mazell. Cheers!
Hi Patrick – can I buy a tote bag?
For my mom. Call me please and thanks!
Hi Jill. They won’t be here for about a month, but I’ll let you know. Cheers!
Good morning dear Patrick. Yes I would love to order a couple of your bags. I love them! Please put them on your online store. Thank you. Also I know its a sore spot with Trump. But if you knew the why and how our terrible canadian leaders did things with the states , you would see why this is happening. Just a little tid bit. I am a proud Canadian . Being a senior and seeing how things are run by terrible leaders over the years. It is disheartening to see this happen. But something must happen to wake up our terrible leaders . I love all your art, as you know I have bought a few pieces. My husband is in a lodge now for special care. I gave him your calendar I ordered from you. And he loves the funny animals. Thank you dear Patrick. Marion Needham
Glad you like the art, Marion. We’ll have to disagree on the politics. Our leaders do leave a lot to be desired, but it doesn’t excuse or justify a foreign attack.