How it feels to start taking commissions — the emotional truth

WHAT’S THE TEA, SIS?

Well if you don’t have any, I do. It’s not real gossip, because it’s really about me. Here’s my tea: I’m stepping into doing commissions slowly but surely but I want to say out loud that it’s SO uncomfortable for me. Let me explain.

NOTE: This article was written in April 2019. My relationship to commissions has changed a lot since this point! But I’m leaving it up because artists early on in their art journey can possibly relate. Check out my more recent post on commissions here.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK

I love knowing that people like my work enough to pay for something custom in my style. It heals my self-conscious soul. It also puts much needed cash in my pockets so I can cycle it back into my quickly growing business. I also enjoy it because lately I’ve been doing couple portraits and working with people I genuinely admire and it feels like a bonding experience to draw an expression of love between my friends or to make a thought-collaboration in general. I’m always feeling proud of our combined ideas after the project is done.

I’m not taking any of these super cool things for granted — other artists dream of the opportunities I’ve been given and I don’t want to seem ungrateful.

BUT THE GROWING PAINS ARE REAL

But it’s also new and strange to me because although people have always asked me to do custom work, I’ve ALWAYS said no — unless it was for free, and as a favor or gift. I’m hesitant to advertise it as a real service I provide because it’s a lot more risky.

FINANCIALLY, IS IT THE RIGHT CHOICE?

Financially, if the person doesn’t like the piece, I’m not only out of what I charged them, but I’m out of the time I spent and the materials I used. Even if it goes swell, you can’t ever resell a custom piece, because it’s made specifically for one person. It’s so much more comfortable (and scalable) to create something for sale to the masses and be able to sell the same design on a print 1000x over and over. This is how my business has been run from the start and in changing it, I’m not sure if I’m going forward or taking a step back.

COMMISSIONS ARE BUSINESS, NOT PERSONAL

Relationship wise, it can be a bonding experience but I’m paranoid that it can also damage a relationship. Business always can. Money causes a lot of stress and conflict for some. And although I’ve NEVER ever had this issue, I hear horror stories of people refusing to pay yet keeping the work, expecting large changes after the artwork is complete (hello total redo), using the work for non-agreed purposes like logos or resale, or for some reason expecting the piece to come out in a style that the artist doesn’t even do, and etc.

I don’t want to screw anyone over or get screwed. I don’t want to damage a relationship with any customer, acquaintance, or friend. Horror stories abound. I’m so nervous about telling one of my own.

I know you can write contracts with customers that outline the commission process and protect the artist concerning payment, but that feels awkward and stale. I know I’ll get around to writing a detailed contract for my clients, but warming up to what legally should be included will be a learning curve.

LESS CREATIVE FREEDOM

Creatively, it’s uncomfortable because ultimately I’m not painting whatever I feel like that day. This is maybe selfish and annoying to say out loud but drawing things that other people want isn’t as fun as drawing what I want. It makes art feel like a real job. I have a deadline and a boss all of the sudden. I have someone who can tell me if it looks right or wrong. Of course they pay for that right, and that’s how it’s supposed to operate, but it takes away a degree of freedom.

Collaborating has always been hard for me because I need to take full charge of a project (especially with my artwork) and letting someone tell me what to do is tougher than it should be. I’m low-key afraid to invite more customers than I’m already organically attracting because I don’t want to be creating work for other people all the time and forget to create for myself.

However, I want more than anything to reach my growth goals in my business and I may have to make this sacrifice to get there.

THE TEA IS STILL HOT

ANYWAY, I’ve spilled a whole damn kettle of tea here for you all. I’m slowly taking commissions and I’m so grateful to work with every person. But I just want to ask for patience. Growth is uncomfortable and the phrase “growing pains” is legit. I am a work in progress, y’all, bear with me.

ARE YOU IN THIS FREELANCE TRANSITION?

If you’re an artist in this phase, I want you to know that I feeeel you. Some creatives begin their careers with commission-based work, others hit that phase in the middle, and some never encounter it at all. Lately I’ve had a Noah’s Ark level flood of requests and I think my commission phase is unavoidably here. If you’re with me, we’re in this together.

It’s okay to be proud of this new type of work.

It’s okay to be overwhelmed by it (although I have some tested solutions for overwhelm here).

It’s okay to say no to new work if it doesn’t fit your business.

It’s okay to change your path as an artist.

Do what feels right for you! Just remember that growth is always painful, but not always bad.

Sip on that, eh?

If you want to share your journey with commission-based work, no matter where you are in your journey, feel free to comment below. Let’s grow together!