Office Decorating
Experience
I am writing this 'artist experience' in the hopes of
helping other artists in their awareness of what I deem to be unfair practices.
Approximately 5 months ago I was contacted through my
website to provide artwork to decorate the walls of a suite of offices. Having
never done this before I was unsure how to negotiate. The value of all of the
paintings was $4700.00 and I proposed a small rental fee of 3% per month ( $140.00 per month ) and a commission on
sales of 10% back to the office owners on paintings sold. This offer was
refused and I decided to hang my artwork anyway for a period of up to 6 months
on a trial basis.
Recently, I went in
to the offices to collect my artwork. I
received a 'thank you' from the receptionist. Neither of the two professionals whose
office space had been decorated for free for a total of 142 days bothered to
venture away from their desks to acknowledge my presence and offer a 'thank
you'. I find this inconsiderate and very rude.
I am sure this same office space is being cleaned on a
regular basis of at least once per week.
I have my house cleaned on a regular basis (2500 sq. ft.) for $60 which
would be $240/month.
When comparing these two services the art rental cost comes
out to 58% less than the cleaning cost.
What makes some people
undervalue original artwork? Why
was my experience, education, time and finished 'goods' deemed to be of no
value other than free decoration?
Artists are constantly asked to donate artwork for
fund-raising auctions and other events of a similar nature. I am wondering why
the services of Doctors, Dentists,
Accountants, Engineers, Plumbers, Carpenters and many other 'professionals' are not usually
on these fund-raising lists of items and services to be auctioned off for good causes? What makes original artwork the
'go to' item to be donated or given away for 'free'???
I have learned from this venture and will be careful from now on to only put my artwork out with either a consignment contract, rental contract or bill of sale.
