Office Decorating Experience

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.