Signed, Sealed, Delivered. . .

. . . it’s yours!

Some artists don’t like to do commission work. Maybe they don’t like to eat, either. Or maybe they aren’t very good at understanding what other people want. Maybe they are rebellious adolescents trapped in the bodies of adults.

I like commissions.

It is a fun challenge to make a visual representation from a person’s verbal description. It is very gratifying to have a happy customer at the end of a job. It is a wonderful thing to have a sale without all the will-she-won’t-she.

During the Three Rivers Artists Studio Tour Ten, several folks asked me to paint specific things for them. As a California artist, naturally I was thrilled to receive confirmation that California poppies and giant Sequoias are always a popular subject.

These poppies were unfinished, sitting on the easel, looking like little butterflies when Amy spotted them. She asked if she could buy it before it was completed. I think I said, “Um, sure!” (Hopefully I was more polished that that.) This was painted from a photograph that my very generous mailman brought to me; he’s just thoughtful like that.

Christine asked me if I thought I could get inspired to paint a Sequoia in the snow. I said, “I’m always inspired if someone wants something.” (Hopefully I was a little more polished than that.) I went through my photos, picked one, and happily dove in, well inspired and eager to do my best for Christine. She now has it and is very happy.

That’s the goal of commissions in my little business.

Committing Commissions

 

This is not a commission. It is a do-over. I painted this when I was new to oil painting, and recently I figured out how to do it better. I painted right over the top, so I didn’t have to figure out any shapes or placement.  (Three Rivers is gorgeous in the spring. I know I keep saying that. But, really, the unemployment is terribly high, the air is nasty in the fall, and we are all fat, so don’t move here, ‘kay?)

This sequoia oil painting has better detail than the previous view. Why am I painting a sequoia in the snow when it is spring? Because CS wants it! And this California artist accepts commissions in oil. Pencil too.

Committing more Commissions

I painted three pomegranates for a nice lady of impeccable taste that came to my studio during Studio Tour Ten. She asked for one, and I painted three so that she would have choices and I would have more to sell at the Redbud Festival.

I also began this sequoia in snow for someone else. This is 2 layers of paint. A third layer is coming with more detail.

And this is the beginning of a new experience for me – painting in oil from a pencil drawing! I am purposely not looking for the reference photos, because I want to stay true to the drawing. That is what the customers requested, so that is what I will deliver!

Notice the California poppies in the background. They now have another layer of brilliant color on their little butterfly-like petals.

Isn’t this California artist-like? Sequoias, pomegranates, poppies. I like it here. 😎 (But you’d probably hate it because  there is no Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. Maybe that’s why we’re all fat.)

Peeking into the painting studio and eavesdropping on conversations

Um, would you paint something  just for me?

You betcha! I’d be happy to paint something for you! What did you have in mind?

How about a pomegranate?

How about 3 of them? Then you can decide which one you like best.

Would you ever be willing to paint a sequoia in the snow, say, 8×10″?

Would you be willing to buy it when it was finished? If yes, then yes.

What about doing an 18×24″ oil painting from your pencil drawing of  “Redwood & Dogwood“?

I’d love to do that for you! What a great idea, you brilliant patron of the arts!

If you finish that 6×18″ painting of poppies, I’ll buy it.

Really? I knew that one was a great idea. (Thanks to my mailman for bringing me the photo!)

 

If you were to commission me to paint something for you, what would you request?

Odd Jobs

Oh-oh, here comes that interviewer again.

Hey California Artist, what are those?

They are Giant Sequoias, aka Big Trees, or for those Rangers out there, they are Redwoods.

Yes, I can see that, but that doesn’t look like canvas to me on that easel.

Me either.

So what is it?

Redwood. Those are redwoods on redwood.

Are you kidding??

Now don’t get your knickers in a twist – it is salvaged wood, not savaged trees.

But what is it?

Keep your shirt on – more will be revealed.

Redo, Recolor

In my quest for truth and reality, I took a hard look at a painting of a green apple. I liked it, but it didn’t sell. The other 2 had, but not this guy.

Sold

Sold

Homeless green apple

Must be the grayish bluish background! No one decorates in those colors. “Everyone” is decorating in warm reds and golds and bronzes and rusts. Wise up, California Artist!

Golden Delicious, 6×6 oil on wrapped canvas, $40 (when it dries I’ll sign it)

In Situ

Say what? Is that some sort of typo?

Now now, let’s not get all worked up here. It is Latin and it means “in position”.  We’ve been over this before. IF you were paying attention you might remember! This California artist knows a few Latin phrases, and she isn’t afraid to use them. However, she isn’t a snob about it and always explains them for your learning pleasure.

Remember the oil painting of the Mineral King Bridge? It was happily received by its commissioner, beautifully and appropriately framed, and is currently residing on a granite kitchen counter. This way, its owner can live with it a bit, before deciding its proper place on the appropriate wall.

She photographed it for us.

Wrap-up

Mr. Communicator came for the ornament and brought his brother and Grandma! What fun – we could have all talked for hours. His G’ma grew up on the same street in the same town in Orange County where my G’ma and G’pa raised their 3 children. His brother flies for the Air Force, and Mr. Communicator? He works in finance on Wall Street! Ever met one of those guys before? I have, and both have been as genuinely nice as you could ever hope to encounter – nothing like the nasty stereotype. Of course, both of the ones I met grew up in Tulare County, Perhaps that is the difference. Enough chit-chat. Photographs are more fun than words.

Had to show the 2 ornaments together!

He is tall – I am not short. More American women are 5’4″ than any other height. Just sayin’.

Custom Ornament, final episode

Thus we conclude the conversation and saga of the Custom Christmas Ornament between Mr. Communicator (the customer) and The Artist (that would be California Artist Jana Botkin, in case Mr. Google is paying attention). Again, I ask you to overlook the size jumps because I really have no earthly idea how to force this blog to behave properly.

The Artist:
I almost typed a whole paragraph of excuses but got a grip!
Goose is more defined, porch posts and arches show, sunburst is white, side wings have a roof, ribbon shows more, oval is in front door.
When all this is dry enough, I’ll go over it again and tighten it up more and add more detail, and the first layer of the American flag.

Mr. Communicator:

I would have never accepted your excuses!  You’ve done magic thus far so I expect nothing less than miracles! No pressure 🙂

It gets more amazing with every picture.
The flag will definitely finish it off. And I’m glad you kept the goose. I’m waiting to see who points out the goose, flag and ribbon first – Mom or Dad. They’ll be touched by the detail.  You’ll finalize it all with your signature, right?
Artist:
So glad your expectations aren’t too high – I might just collapse under the pressure. Be prepared – your Mom might cry. And I had thought I might sign it “Norman Rockwell”, but if you want my signature, your wish is my command!

Mr. C:

Don’t kill me. I noticed one small thing that had confused me and I only now put my finger on it.

Artist:
If you continue to scrutinize the painting to this level, then we won’t ever finish! That’s because you will see that I have stylized and simplified much of what made that house so special.

Your life is safe. But now I am wondering if you are an artist yourself. Or an architect? Or an accountant, perhaps? Maybe a homicide detective?

Mr. C:
Haha. I promise that is the last little change!
Artist:
I swear this thing looks so much better in person! There all these reflections off the paint thicknesses in the photos that are just starting to tick me off! And please pretend with me as if there are stars and the correct number of stripes on the flag (eyes squinched shut, hands over ears, LA LA LA LA LA)
Okay, tantrum over.
Now that I am looking at the photo, I am making a small list of touch-ups.
1. rafter tail from porch on the right (it was too wet this a.m.)
2. show the bottom sill of the window directly to the right of the porch – got the far right one, but sort of lost it on the left.
3. even-up the blackness of the windows – can’t tell if this is reflection problem, degree of wetness problem, sloppiness problem or no problem
4. straighten up the left blue edge of the house
Do you see anything else?
I know: you are a micro-biologist!
Mr. C:
Ha.  Now that we’re playing the “what do you do for a living” game, I’ll let you keep guessing.  I’m certainly not brainy enough to be a micro-biologist!
I love that you communicate like you’re a business woman and not an artist; you send lists and detailed updates!
BTW, I wasn’t even going to count stars and stripes.   I know you were joking, but I think you secretly thought I might!  ;P  And certainly, if this were a bigger painting, I would have counted and measured each stripe and star!
With each email I keep trying to figure out if you are going to hug me or slap me when we finally meet and this is all over.  The next week will be telling.
See you soon!
And I have been reading the blog. You’re quite the entertaining writer!
Artist:
What a supreme compliment – “a business woman”! Always my goal to have a superior product AND to sell it well. Otherwise, I’d have to get a job, and I really don’t know how to do anything. Sigh. I can proofread pretty well, but no one cares about typos anymore except me. And with me it is sort of like Tourette’s, except instead of bursting out with obscenities, I shout “TYPO” in  the most inappropriate places. My poor husband just can’t take me anywhere.
But I do love writing and am having a blast with the blog. So glad you are enjoying it!
Microbiologist brought to mind microwave (“How fast can you do this?”), microscope (“What is that little thing right there?”) and micromanage never mind. . . JUST KIDDING!!
Now I don’t know if you will slap me or hug me!
Okay, enough blather. I’ve got some items to fine-tune on an ornament, and all I want to do is read a bunch of blogs while sitting by the wood stove with my 3 cats.

And the Ornament Saga Continues

The conversation between Mr. Communicator (aka The Customer) and The Artist (aka The California Artist) continues: (Please excuse the size jumps – can’t figure that out!)

Mr. Communicator:

I tend to over-communicate, but only to ensure it all gets said.

The Artist:

Quick, tell me if the back is okay! If it isn’t, I can wipe it off with turp before it begins to dry. I abbreviated. My printing looks childish, so it won’t bother me if you nix the back.

And the front has been repaired with the yellow ribbon, pedestal and goose added (and a plant, sort of rough right now). After this layer dries (and it doesn’t seem to need to dry completely as the first layer needed) I can add the American flag. And, I hope to tighten up things a bit more.

Mr. C:

I think the back is fine. It’s definitely needed to complete the ornament.
On the front of the porch, can you add the oval window on the front door?
And can you also add in the 2 white pillars that flank the front steps? I think they need to stand out a bit along with the supporting arches.
Also the sun burst above the top window is actually white. Can you just lighten that up on the next pass?
Artist:
Good, yes, yes and yes.

Mr. C:

One last thing. It appears there’s no roof on the top of the extension to the left. Not sure how to do that because it’s behind the tree, but it does have a brown shingles roof.

Artist:

Yes, I saw that and tried to coast. . . 😎
Artist:
I answered the “good, yes yes and yes” too soon – here is a bit of disclaiming and whining and self-excusing just in case I can’t deliver on all of yesterday’s optimism.

The goose and pedestal look dumb because they are too small for my brushes. Will try again but may have to eliminate.
Didn’t see oval window on front door – hidden behind wreath! I’ll try the oval – if it doesn’t work, I’ll put the wreath.
That sunburst – I didn’t see it as white – only saw the dark spaces between the slats! Will lighten the slats around the dark spaces.
Will work on the porch posts to get them to appear better along with the “arch supports”.
All of this tiny stuff is really too small for my smallest brush, but I will go to Visalia tomorrow and see if I can locate a one-hair-brush. (You’re killing me!!)
Mr. C:

I know it’s a challenge and I’d apologize but I think you’ve already risen to the challenge!
I’ll let you decide about the goose and pedestal since you have the best view. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but you tell me.
This project is basically the antithesis of the big mural you just did!