Your first commission?

Chris Saper · 11-03-2003, 10:43 PM

Katherine Annon has suggested a topic, "What was your first commission?"

Katherine Annon · 11-03-2003, 11:14 PM

Thanks to Chris for starting this topic. I'm entering first "serious" commissions territory, and was curious to hear any anecdotes any of you might have. Do you long-time full-time pros remember your first commissions? Do those of you in the same boat as I am right now have any recent experiences you'd like to share?

I imagine there are all sorts of stories out there, funny or moving or crazy-making or sad. And any mixture of the above.

I actually had an out-of-the-way commission about a decade ago. Although I was not a professional artist, a pediatric nurse saw some of my drawings and commissioned me to draw a posthumous portrait of a four-year-old girl who had succumbed to cancer a short time before. It was to be a gift for the child's mother, who had moved from the state in a fit of grief.

The nurse supplied me with a photo. She then tentatively asked if I could add angel wings. And hair.

If I do become a successful portrait artist, I can't forsee laboring over any commission as hard as I did that one. Angel wings are not at all my cup of tea; sentimentality usually leaves me a little cold. But I'll never forget that little girl's eyes.

Chris Saper · 11-03-2003, 11:33 PM

Katherine, thanks for suggesting this thread.

My first paid commission was for my neighbors' girls, in 1990, a year after my my first child was born. I was out of patience for the hospital rat race, and my neighbor and I attended a local event where a portrait painter exhibited. We were shocked at the prices. (In retrospect, those prices were bargains.) For my neighbor, I did a pencil drawing, double portrait, for $80. If I can find the image I will post it. I am so very grateful to the people who hired me during my first years.

Sometimes I wish I could go back and update all those portraits, but of course, I can't. Still, I appreciate so very deeply every one of my clients' confidence, which gave me the belief that I could become a better painter.

Today, November 3, 2003 I still am grateful for every encouragement, and still strive to become better every day.

Timothy C. Tyler · 11-04-2003, 12:20 AM

My first major portrait commission was a highly overpaid CEO of Corporation you'd all know. I had done several other commissions and it was just one more except it's kind of fun to visit with the people. I recently read they now (15 years later) have 7 homes around the world.

My first paid commision was when I was 14. I got $25.00 plus supplies. I took it pretty seriously. I intend to shoot a picture of the work next time I visit my early patron's home.

Katherine Annon · 11-04-2003, 12:38 AM

Chris and Timothy,

I've just visited both of your sites.

Wow.

Did you hit the ground running - so to speak - with your first commissions?

Timothy, did you continue to take commissions during your teenage years?

Chris, I'd love to see that double portrait.

I've got to say it again, but I promise that this will be the last gushing bout for a while. What a privilege and rich resource to be able to interact with such talented artists!

Michael Georges · 11-04-2003, 01:02 AM

My first commission was a posthumous portrait of a baby that had been still born.

The grandparents contacted me by phone and I met the father and his father in person. They were very broken up. It was the couple's first child and the baby was near term when something went wrong.

There were no usable pictures for reference - they gave me pictures of both the mother and the father as babies. It was Tuesday at 4 p.m. and they needed the framed portrait for the memorial service on Saturday a.m. I recommended a charcoal because of time and because it seemed the right medium for such a work. They agreed.

The father called me that evening. He had spoken with the mother (still in the hospital) and they wanted me to do the portrait of the baby with her eyes open - as the happy healthy baby she might have been.

To this day, it was the hardest portrait I have ever done. I spent the whole week crying while I worked, and calling on "something" to come to me and help me capture her in the work. On Friday afternoon, I met the mother and the father to deliver the piece. When she saw it, she started crying. I told them that I hoped they would try again and that someday I would love to do a happy portrait for them.

Her name was Bryanna. You can view the portrait at:

http://www.fineportraitsinoil.com/Bryanna.htm

Katherine Annon · 11-04-2003, 01:10 AM

Michael,

What a story. It was a brave choice to take on such a difficult commission. Impossible to put a dollar value on such an experience.

Mary Pedini · 11-04-2003, 09:23 AM

Hi Katherine,
I am not as experienced as some of the other artists posted here, but I did want to share with you some info about my first "real" commission. This was a commission done for a complete stranger (not a friend or relative).
About four years ago, after joining the local art association, I participated in my first group show at the local mall. I received three commissions from this experience, this colored pencil of a little boy in a hat being the first. The mom supplied me the photo (something I try not to do anymore.)It is 16x20 and I charged a mere pittance. ($60. I think!) However, just starting out I felt like I wanted to get as many portraits under my belt as I could. Luckily, I have been able to raise my prices gradually...
Mary

Renee Price · 11-04-2003, 10:31 AM

Michael,

Your story brought tears to my eyes. Posthumous portraits are difficult in general, but I couldn't imagine tackling such a difficult task. You did an excellent job.

My first portrait ever was for my mom's husband. It was of his son who had just died from cancer. I will never forget my stepfather's expression when he saw it for the first time.

Renee Price

Michael Georges · 11-04-2003, 10:55 AM

Renee: You are the second artist I know whose first commission was posthumous. Good for you for taking it on.

For me, it was a real wake up call about what portraiture was all about - our clients want something more than just a painted image. A portrait becomes a focal point for the client to love and honor someone who is part of their life, or to memorialize and remember someone they loved who has passed. It is a vessel of a sort and it holds spiritual energy.

Ok, maybe a little fluffy, but that is how I see it...