Buying My Work Most of the pieces that I sell are commissions, although at any
given time, I do have a number of non-commission pieces for sale. Commissioning a Piece Why do people commission work?
People often see something that I’ve
painted and like my style and the way I tell a story with details
and would like me to create something tailored to their family,
town or favorite activity.
If I’m thinking about a commission, how can we get started?
If you’d like to talk about commissioning
a piece, the first step is to let me know by sending
me an email at
or calling
me at 908 591 6152.
When we talk, I’ll ask you about:
- What you’d like to have – for example,
a painting, mural or furniture
- Why you’re interested in a commissioned work
- The “tale” you’d like to tell in
paint
- The size of the piece
- Where you think you’ll put the piece
- Any specific requirements about color or other characteristics
- When you’d like to have the piece finished
Then I’ll give you an idea of the timing
and price range.
If you’d like me to proceed with a sketch, I’ll ask
for a $150 sketch fee as well as more details about the “tale” to
be told in the work. I might ask you to send me photos or information
to help me create the story.
Next, I’ll send you the sketch, which is a rough draft of
what the painting will look like and helps determine the details
to be included – and ultimately the price of the final
painting.
After you look at the sketch, we will talk
again about the painting and finalize any details. If you decide
to go ahead with the painting, the sketch fee will be subtracted
from the final cost of the painting. If you don’t wish
to go ahead with a painting, you will have no further obligation
beyond the sketch fee.
What if I want to proceed with a commission?
So that I can begin the piece, I will send
you a contract that outlines basic information about what we’ve agreed to—for
example, the size of the piece, the completion date, the payment
agreement, and delivery. Once you return the contract and a check
for 50%of the agreed-upon price, your painting order will go
into my queue for commissions.
Typical waiting time for a commission is 2 to 12 months.
The balance for the painting is due when the work is completed,
along with any sales tax due or delivery charges (like charges
for packing, shipping or insurance).
All payments must be by a check made out to Pat Wiley Folk Art.
top of page What’s it like to work with you on a commissioned piece?
Commissioned pieces are meant to provide a fun
and pleasurable experience for you and me. I like to listen to
the “what
and why” of your request for a commission and enjoy the
challenge of expressing your story through my work. And I want
you to enjoy having your story told in one of my paintings.
With a commissioned piece, remember that there’s always
an element of surprise, since you never know exactly what the piece
will look like until you see it. Actually, there’s a surprise
for me, too, since I never know exactly what a piece will look
like until I decide it’s done. So commissioning a piece
will work better for you if you feel comfortable trusting my
sensibilities and sense of fun to complete the piece.
What if I have other questions about a commission?
Please send me an email at
or call me at 908 591 6152 and I’d be happy to
answer your questions.
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Buying a Piece That’s Already Completed Why do people sometimes buy a piece from you that was not specifically
painted for them?
There are several possible reasons:
- They enjoy a tale I’ve already created.
- They know exactly what they’ll get if they buy
a piece that’s already done.
- They can have the piece right away.
- They know exactly what it will cost.
How do I find out what you might have for sale right now?
In my online gallery,
some pieces might be for sale at the moment.
You can also send me an email at ,
let me know what you might be interested in, and I can
let you know what’s for
sale from my studio or another place.
Pricing Policy How do you decide how much to charge for a piece?
My prices are based on the amount of time it takes me to create
a piece. And the time is driven by the size and details. The time
includes any research I have to do, preparing the surface (for
example, in the case of kitchen cabinets or a mural), planning
the piece from the sketch, and the time I spend painting.
What do your pieces typically cost?
My smaller paintings are about 16” by 24”, although
most of the pieces I do are larger. The smallest painting I’ve
done is 6” by 10”; the largest was a 10’ by 50’ mural.
Prices typically range from $950 to $8,000, although each piece
is specifically priced.
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