Embarrassed taking money from friends for work done.
Discussion
I have finally got off my arse with a little bullying from my wife and set down the road to becoming a professional artist.
It's something I have been hiding, but lately just not shouting about. I have posted paintings on here and sold about 12 on eBay over the last 4 years. But nothing much, mostly because I paint nudes.
But a few weeks ago at our wedding I gave our maid of honour a life size paining of her horses head, a 3ft x3ft canvas.
That's when everything went crazy. It was a bit of a shock to the guests as most of my friends think I'm useless at most things. I can drive and play with old cars but that was it.
Anyway my wife setup a Facebook page with prices offering commissions, and this week I have had 4 orders from friends. 2 cats 1 horse and 1 dog.
But I can't shake this feeling of guilt taking my friends money.
My friends don't know this yet but the ones that have ordered this week are going to get the painting for free because of the massive help they have been on the run up to the wedding.
But I can't keep finding excuses to give the away. They might not cost much to make but they do take up a lot of my time.
TL;DR
I feel guilty selling my paintings to friends, how do I get over it?
It's something I have been hiding, but lately just not shouting about. I have posted paintings on here and sold about 12 on eBay over the last 4 years. But nothing much, mostly because I paint nudes.
But a few weeks ago at our wedding I gave our maid of honour a life size paining of her horses head, a 3ft x3ft canvas.
That's when everything went crazy. It was a bit of a shock to the guests as most of my friends think I'm useless at most things. I can drive and play with old cars but that was it.
Anyway my wife setup a Facebook page with prices offering commissions, and this week I have had 4 orders from friends. 2 cats 1 horse and 1 dog.
But I can't shake this feeling of guilt taking my friends money.
My friends don't know this yet but the ones that have ordered this week are going to get the painting for free because of the massive help they have been on the run up to the wedding.
But I can't keep finding excuses to give the away. They might not cost much to make but they do take up a lot of my time.
TL;DR
I feel guilty selling my paintings to friends, how do I get over it?
When I take my car to my cousin (He's a mechanic) he tries to do me a deal. Like, parts at cost, barely any labour and without VAT etc. I tell him every time, I'm having my car serviced there because he's family and I want to support his business, I'm not there to try and get cheaper servicing. It got to the point last time where I just paid him cash what I'd been quoted by another garage
I would be cautious about not charging. I have seen it happen a couple of times to artisan type makers where they charge too little, get inundated with orders and the whole thing becomes a massive chore to the point where they just pack it in, sometimes not in great circumstances and on poor terms with customers.
Charge for your time.
Charge for your time.
Sheepshanks said:
When you said "nudes" I wasn't thinking of cats, horses and dogs....
Me neither, when I read this I was expecting a completely different ending..."... nothing much, mostly because I paint nudes. But a few weeks ago at our wedding I gave our maid of honour a life size painting of her..."
98elise said:
Sheepshanks said:
When you said "nudes" I wasn't thinking of cats, horses and dogs....
Me neither, when I read this I was expecting a completely different ending..."... nothing much, mostly because I paint nudes. But a few weeks ago at our wedding I gave our maid of honour a life size painting of her..."
The orders from your friends followed from your wife posting for commission with prices listed. Your friends subsequently put in requests following this. Thus, they must be thinking they are paying, and in all honestly, would be horrified if you did them for free.
Charge them, even if it's a special rate.
Charge them, even if it's a special rate.
Why should you be embarrassed taking payment for your work? They weren't embarrassed to receive your work?
As for 'mates rates' ... I don't buy into this concept. Why should I do something on the cheap because someone is my mate? I could flip it on its head and argue that as I am their mate that they should pay me extra. Just set your price and stick to it, whoever the customer is.
As for 'mates rates' ... I don't buy into this concept. Why should I do something on the cheap because someone is my mate? I could flip it on its head and argue that as I am their mate that they should pay me extra. Just set your price and stick to it, whoever the customer is.
Major Fallout said:
They might not cost much to make but they do take up a lot of my time.
And your time has a value. Don't forget that.98elise said:
Me neither, when I read this I was expecting a completely different ending...
"... nothing much, mostly because I paint nudes. But a few weeks ago at our wedding I gave our maid of honour a life size painting of her..."
He actually said he gave the MoH a life size paining...."... nothing much, mostly because I paint nudes. But a few weeks ago at our wedding I gave our maid of honour a life size painting of her..."
NSFW
OP does have a good eye. https://www.facebook.com/JeremyGibsonArt/photos/a....
I'd probably draw the line at requests from friends to paint their birds.
OP does have a good eye. https://www.facebook.com/JeremyGibsonArt/photos/a....
I'd probably draw the line at requests from friends to paint their birds.
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