We know that it can sometimes feel intimidating to ask if an artist can create a custom piece. We also know what it is like to fall in love with a work of art and the need to pay over a few months instead of all at once. This week on the blog, we are demystifying how commissions and payment plans work…and how now is the time to consider these options if you are hoping to gift original art this holiday season!
Payment Plans
Original art is an investment and it should be! You are not only investing financially, you are investing in your daily joy and belief in the artist and their work. The same goes if you are gifting art to someone you care about - you are investing in their daily happiness and what brings them joy!
We fully realize that sometimes the right piece comes along and its not the best timing for a one-time payment.
We have been there, so our goal is to make collecting the work you love, or would love to gift, a whole lot easier by offering in-house, interest-free payment plans up to four months.
It's super easy! Here's how it's done:
1) Let us know you would like to purchase with a payment plan of 2 - 4 months.
2) We will get the piece on an invoice and then charge you the first payment.
3) A credit card is kept on file and we will touch base each month before your next payment is due to confirm.
4) The work stays with us until paid in full and once the final payment is made, your piece will be ready for pick up or to ship out!
PS: If you are hoping to gift a work of art for the holidays....you can put it on a three month payment plan, so let's get one started! We will even have it all gift wrapped for you upon pick up.
Commissions
We think commissions are a great idea when you adore the way an artist works, but have a specific size or palette in mind. They are also great to commemorate something special between you and a loved-one.
Here at A&L, we try to make the commission process easy. We will walk you through which artists do and do not take on commissions, confirm pricing and timeframe and help manage communication with the artist to ensure we are all on the same page. We put together paperwork to outline all of the details and keep the artist on track. A 50% deposit is required to get the artist started and the final payment is due upon approval of the piece. Throughout the process, we keep you informed on progress and share images of the work partway through for feedback. Commissions are a fun an interactive process!
There are a few key things to keep in mind when considering if a commissioned work of art is right for you:
1) Does what you want commissioned fit the style of the artist you like? Commissions are best when you are commissioning an artist that already does work similar to what you would like created. Example: You wouldn't want to commission an abstract painter to paint a still life of flowers.
2) Are you able to have an open mind within the commission parameters? Artists require some flexibility and creative license, even in a commission, so be sure you really love the artist's style and trust them to create something great.
3) Do you like one-of-a-kind things? No two original works of art will be the same. If you like bespoke items and knowing that it was made just with you in mind, maybe a commission is right for you!
Commissions are special and detailed, so if you're considering one, let's talk!
With just ELEVEN weeks until Christmas, if you are considering a commission or payment plan for the art-lover in your life this year, now is the time to get the conversation started! Simply pop by the gallery or give us a call to chat through what you are thinking and we will help with each step along the way!