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can i just rant for a moment
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Message
Posted
urgh, i'm hoping you've all been here and can empathise with my feelings.
My mum and nan came around, and I was showing my nan the paintings i have been doing lately. She liked them, especially the pug, to which my mum asked (which I had previously asked her not to) 'if you like it so much, how much would you pay for it'. And you've guessed it....my nan's reply, 'well you're not going to ask for more than a tenner are you?" Grrr
This lead to to my nan confessing that 'it's just a hobby isn't it', and that she could not comprehend me needing to include into the cost the time it took me. It then morphed into a conversation about how in her opinion I shouldn't have to work and my partner should pay all the bills...but that it another story!!
Anyway, she's 95, so I'm not surprised that she's a little out of touch, and really I am more frustrated that my mum even asked. But why is that midset ok? Why is it such a shock that someone would expect to be compensated for their time? I'm not sure it's just painting, I'm sure it's the same in all creative fields. But boy, talk about a reality check.
I'm not sure why I'm posting this, I guess I just wanted to share the pain, vent, and see if this sort of thing is a common experience. 🙂
Posted
Go for it Lucy you are just expressing what I feel and probably other people on here... "How Much" I hear.... but they are only amateurs !
So... cost of materials, cost of frame , cost of fee for putting into an exhibition cost of commission. Everyone wins except the artist.
Non of that factors in a painting time. .
Though the painting time I tend to disregard as my enjoyment has been in actually painting it.
I decide what I want for a painting to replace my materials etc...
But G Ma s of 95 are allowed to think that.
It's when others do.
So you are allowed a rant
Posted
You can't beat a good rant. Nice one Lucy.
Your Gran comes from a different age when wives had little hobbies, raised children and did as they were told. Fortunately we no longer live in that mindset, but at 95 she's going to tell you what she thinks whether you like it or not. When she was 85-ish, my Gran got a bit forgetful and would repeat things - "You told us that last week" chided my Dad one summer evening in my garden. "And the week before" added his girlfriend. "Yes" said Gran, "it's the only way you two will bloody listen." 15-love
Try leading the conversation with your Gran about your art; she really wants to see you do well - "do you like my new painting, Gran? The gallery tell me I should be able to get £250 for it. A few more like this and I'll be able to kick Dave out". Reset the perspective.
Right, you must excuse me for a while. I need to pack Her Ladyship off to work and I get my music (and my dress shirt) in order for my concert tonight. I'd like to get some sketching done too.
Edited
by alang23
Posted
Sylvia - very true, once you're 95 I think you can do and say what you please (within reason I guess!)
Adele - hahah, yes earplugs might be in order!
Pat - that is true, you've got to feel extremely sorry for the people creating the work that gets sold on for £30, goodness knows how little they earn.
Keora - I paint for pleasure, although I do have quite a few commissions lined up through word of mouth, I just feel quite strongly that people in creative fields deserve to be compensated for the work they do in the same way anyone else should be.
Alan - yes! she lived through WW2 and still treks around multiple shops on two walking sticks to save a matter of pence on her shopping even though she doesn't need to - old habits die hard. And yes, if and when I complete my commissions and tell her about them maybe the penny will drop. Hope the sketching goes well.
Posted
I don't know why we tend to feel so embarrassed about putting an acceptable price on something we have enjoyed doing. A reasonable living does need to be made. Is it a British thing?
I have the reverse with my old auntie of 90. I have given her and my uncle numerous paintings over the years and as she lives in sheltered accommodation, with carers and visitors popping in and out, they tend to remark on the paintings. Dear old aunt proudly tells them that I am an ARTIST. Well yes I paint, but they then want to know what major Art Galleries I exhibit at! I feel such a fraud.