tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post5782549208195485804..comments2023-12-30T00:24:08.084-08:00Comments on Gatepost Pictures: The Age Old Argument Gatepost productionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18061920423331681586noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-44264394813725933722014-01-01T03:07:50.104-08:002014-01-01T03:07:50.104-08:00I think even professional artists who sell all the...I think even professional artists who sell all their work need to have something they do just for themselves with no pressure from galleries or commission clients as to how it should look or turn out.<br /><br />Just look at Andrew Wyeth and the "Helga series"!Making A Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509483023337008890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-63804181921105561482013-12-12T02:20:08.848-08:002013-12-12T02:20:08.848-08:00An interesting subject and one which is relevant t...An interesting subject and one which is relevant to me at the moment as I've been lucky enough to get a few commissions in the last month or so - again mostly via my Etsy shop. However, for me the commissions are what I love to draw/paint anyway - animals (dogs usually) so I don't find myself doing things I have no real interest in. I think you have to love what you're doing - I love dogs and I hope that is clear from the end result of all my paintings whether whimsical illustrations for my own amusement (or greeting card designs!) or commissions of someone else's beloved fur baby! Funny enough my mum asked me to design two illustrations of landmarks in my home town of Derry. I did them in a whimsical style but nevertheless I found it really hard to do as drawing buildings/bridges is absolutely not 'my thing'. They turned out ok but I didn't enjoy doing them at all. Perhaps if you are getting repeat interest in your Geisha you should do her digitally and then you can photoshop the colours to suit the clients - that way you'd be selling prints rather than originals but you wouldn't have to keep reproducing the same painting over and over (which I agree would become tedious for me too even if it was of a dog!)PaintingWritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02215706238594630775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-89702031818047155872013-11-25T17:50:42.456-08:002013-11-25T17:50:42.456-08:00*I* will be interested in your ships! Bring '...*I* will be interested in your ships! Bring 'em on! Elizabeth Rose Stantonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05725663688810441280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-59238790127359597592013-11-24T13:28:58.876-08:002013-11-24T13:28:58.876-08:00hi john can understand your need to step back ...l...hi john can understand your need to step back ...look forward to seeing your ship dwgs :)JANE MINTERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12753128396478756721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-36149420976669515132013-11-18T09:17:42.468-08:002013-11-18T09:17:42.468-08:00As much as I would like to get some validation for...As much as I would like to get some validation for my abilities through sales to keep my enthusiasm up, I can't seem to cross over from art for art sake to professional. I don't want to be dictated to by what paintings in what colors sell or by other people's choice of subject. I also don't want to be pinned down to a particular medium or subject matter. Yet I have an Etsy shop, (indicating I'd like to go into business). Then, I have yet to put anything in it, ( indicating I don't want to commit). I am one crazy mixed up artist, a dabbler, a dilettante, I suppose. My dilemma has been lifelong. I totally understand you pulling back. I would to. Who wants to be caged?<br /><br />Linda Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02833417183469551153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-84473228884497888932013-11-18T04:02:51.188-08:002013-11-18T04:02:51.188-08:00I know what you mean John. The moment I am asked t...I know what you mean John. The moment I am asked to do a commission my heart sinks... It shouldn't, but to be honest it interferes with my creative flow. I'd far rather someone said - 'I like that - Can I buy it?' How easy that is! But climbing in to someone else's head is not easy and then there's that terrifying moment of handing it over... Will they like it?? But - I can't afford to turn commissions down. I just don't advertise the fact that I will do them! <br />Anyway - No surprises that you are getting lots of requests for this painting. It is stunning after all! <br />My advice to you would be to always say yes, but never say when! :0)Sandra Busbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05622208510609673242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-71979427242352710592013-11-17T22:38:25.407-08:002013-11-17T22:38:25.407-08:00Interesting discussion and I think we all have to ...Interesting discussion and I think we all have to go by our individual needs. I have to sell to support my paint habit, but I also paint things just for myself and slap a NFS on them. At the moment it is a series of feathers.<br />I gave up commissions when I found them stressful. I will paint for family requests though. <br />Your geisha ladies are beautiful and dramatic so I can see they would be popular. I can also see why it would drive you nuts to just churn them out in different colors. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07186754679744000743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-13567873377800113212013-11-17T15:08:12.197-08:002013-11-17T15:08:12.197-08:00The most important is not to loose the joy of crea...The most important is not to loose the joy of creating. But I can see why they are so interrested; it is a lovely painting!Catharina Engberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06954431421201427239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-39667304590594944292013-11-17T08:50:58.616-08:002013-11-17T08:50:58.616-08:00John, I think a sabbatical is an excellent idea. I...John, I think a sabbatical is an excellent idea. I seem to be painting and drawing dogs, dogs, and more dogs, but they are all completely different, and I love the work. But I can certainly feel for you in the dilemma you described.<br />Kathryn xx Studio at the Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02900305750995808779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-56991684151842671422013-11-17T01:59:26.032-08:002013-11-17T01:59:26.032-08:00You have a point there, John. Since I opened my Et...You have a point there, John. Since I opened my Etsy shop I also thought about it. Enjoy drawing sailing ships, John, and I'm sure people will be interested in them too! Have fun!Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14715473069364081174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-78289594172475620942013-11-16T23:37:56.662-08:002013-11-16T23:37:56.662-08:00ah now, I'll be interested too :) I love seein...ah now, I'll be interested too :) I love seeing what artists paint, for their own pleasure. Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-37900146413230620982013-11-16T19:59:13.648-08:002013-11-16T19:59:13.648-08:00she is beautiful..! My policy? I do as I like. You...she is beautiful..! My policy? I do as I like. You should do the same :)Celeste Berginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06791708298070342301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-71800186186576138692013-11-16T15:33:24.920-08:002013-11-16T15:33:24.920-08:00So glad to have you back here with us, John and co...So glad to have you back here with us, John and congratulations on your 4th generation! I can only imagine what a thrill that must be! I read your post with great interest as this is a subject I have been concerned about recently have no answers. I will admit that I gave up commissions a while ago as they added stress to an otherwise joyful pursuit. I once did a portrait commission that I painted 8 times before I was satisfied - after much gnashing of teeth and many new gray hairs, that was the end of that!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07899318999574055763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-20702198962448892862013-11-16T05:59:13.553-08:002013-11-16T05:59:13.553-08:00Well, whatever you do turns out beautifully, John....Well, whatever you do turns out beautifully, John. I fall into neither category. I have a secret wish that someone would ask to buy something, but I don't put it up for sale and I'm not a purist either. I really do know it isn't worthy of selling so I indulge in it just for me.Autumn Leaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04010044052621228719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689850739713299454.post-109415385219529522013-11-15T20:26:32.451-08:002013-11-15T20:26:32.451-08:00It's a lovely painting so I can see why everyo...It's a lovely painting so I can see why everyone wants a version of it, but I agree we need to do things for us too. I read about an artist in the past that only did so many commissions a year and then did what he wanted so dont feel bad...better to not lose the joy of creating.Cris, Oregon Artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13521351715446057243noreply@blogger.com