[Peggy Baumgaertner]

Marta,

I think you must be mistaken on my contract. I have always required a deposit on portrait commissions. I upped it from 33 1/3% to 40% a few years ago, but I have never had a contract where no down payment was required.

My initiation into the real world came very early in my career during one of my first commissions. I was commissioned to do a 3/4 portrait of a young girl. The parents brought the girl to my studio, I spent many hours and many rolls of film getting reference material (this was in the old days when I would changes dresses, lighting, and background on each commission...). When the parents didn't quite like the pose, I scheduled another photo shoot the next day with new dresses, etc. We then had the parents over to look over the photos and discuss the size of the portrait, to sign the contract, and to write the check for the down payment. First they downgraded the portrait from a 3/4, to a head and hands, to a head, and finally decided not to get the painting at all.

At the point that I asked for money, they balked. Had I asked for a down payment before I took the photos, they would have backed out then. Had I waited until I finished the painting, they would have back out then. As it was, I asked the parents to pay for the film and processing only, (not for the photo session), and they became incensed at my temerity and never spoke to me again.

Marta, I am trying to be delicate, but it does bother me more than a little when you refer to the artist, "...And what are you out really, except some paint, other materials and some time?" I have upbraided lay persons in the past for this kind of attitude, the "...Is this your hobby? How cute!..." referring to the profession to which I have dedicated myself for over 30 years.

Would you expect a doctor not to charge for his services because the patient wasn't happy with the outcome? After all, he is only out some cotton swabs, some bandages, and a little time... The same is true of lawyers, plumbers, teachers, or persons in any profession. All they have to offer is years of training, not anything of real value. (This is said tongue in cheek....) If we as artists do not respect our work and ourselves as professionals whose time is of value, then how can we expect the rest of the world to take us seriously? I have a contract, I charge a down payment, I hold others to the contract because that is what a professional does. In my workshops I tell my breaking-into-the-business students to "fake it 'til you make it." Conduct yourself in a professional manner; walk, talk, and act with the confidence of a great artist and one day you'll find that you are that person.

An additional note: I also worry about the financial hit some of my early clients might have had to come up with 100% of the money at the completion of the portrait...

Peggy