Artists' Pet Peeves: Vol. 2

    It was so fun thinking about and sharing my artists' pet peeves a few months ago that I decided to share some more of them.  We all love a good list of pet peeves, so here we go:

​1.  "That Looks Easy, I Bet I Can Do That":  This one really burns me!  And sadly, it happens more than you'd think.  People will look at my work and say, "gee, that looks easy, I bet I can paint like that."  Can you?  Can you really?  Can you really just pick up a brush out of nowhere and do what I've worked over 20 years to perfect?  Think so?  I invite you to try.  And when it's finished, PLEASE show it to me.  I don't come down to your job and talk about how easy it looks and how I could do it without any training or experience, I'd really appreciate the same courtesy.

​2.  "Can you paint me (my dog, cat kid, whatever)?"  Sure I can, it will cost X dollars.  Wait, what, it's not free?   I thought we were friends or family or whatever. Never mind then.  Creating and selling my work is my job, my only job, it's how I eat.  Again, do I come to your job and ask for free stuff?  No, 'nuff said.

​3.  Your Work is So Great, You Should Charge More:  This one, on it's face, sounds like a compliment, and I'm sure many of the people who say it to me mean it as such.  Sadly, these are generally also the same people who themselves are either not buying the work at current prices or who are continually looking for a discount or a deal.  Translation:  you should charge more for your work, for other people, not me.  Kinda rings hollow when you break it down like that, doesn't it?

​4.  Random Unsolicited Criticism: I don't mind hearing opinions or ideas from collectors.  In fact, I love to hear what they think.   What I do mind are random people, either in person or on social media throwing in their two cents when no one asked them. Things like, "I think you should have used blue here"; "I think the figure should be more defined"; or "maybe you should put some clothes on the naked woman".  If it's not blue, or defined or clothed, it's because I wanted it that way, it's my art and my vision.  If you would like something painted to your taste, I'd be happy to discuss the price of commissioning me to do a piece.

​That's probably enough ranting for today.  That was fun, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

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