In my experiences with commissioned work, the projects that fell through were a direct result of my inability to convince a client that “yes, the art really is worth the amount that I’m asking.”
Perhaps my frame of reference on this is wrong, or skewed, because I purchase art based on how it makes me feel to look at it, not “how much it will be worth once the artist is dead.”
For the moment, I will put aside the considerations of material costs, piece size and labor costs. I will not discuss “quality” of the art, or the “qualifications” of the artist.
I want to do a breakdown of what a piece of art costs someone, per viewing.
I present the following example:
One piece of art, purchased for $900.
Owner looks at piece of art approximately once a day.
Piece is owned for 5 years (at a minimum).
Given those values, the per-viewing cost of this piece is 49 cents. If the art stays in the person’s possession longer, that cost decreases.
If, when I look at a piece of art, it makes me feel good every time, for less than a dollar, isn’t that worth it?
It’s cheaper than most prescriptions intended to do the same.
This rant has been brought to you by this video.
