Elisa Pritzker Talks Art: Art Commissions

Art commissions do not always have a positive reaction from some artists.

In fact,many artists may feel the limitations of creating commissions, other people in the art world agree too. I stopped by at Mark Gruber Gallery and asked about it. Mark, the owner and director of the gallery, thinks that giving artists the subject matter of what to paint could diminish the leeway of conveying the artist's inner voice. He particularly believes that artists work at best when they create whatever they want without any boundaries and pre-conditions from a client. Mark pointed out that he understands that there are economic reasons to work on commissions. He feels that portrait commissions make more sense to be commissioned than landscapes. He alleged that specific portraits would not be founded among artworks unless a person commissions an artist so there is a reason to commission a portrait.

If a client selects an artist because he/she likes that particular style, it could occur that even caring for the artist's approach, the client tries to dictate precise directions on the artwork. I totally understand that a commission may limit the artistic vision of an artist. On the other hand it's a potential good source of income and gives the chance to artists to be in the studio making a profit.

Other artists have a great ability to comply with commissions. This is the case of Hudson Valley painter Stacie Flint. Stacie said: "I am really enjoying doing the portrait commissions because:1) I am people oriented and they are a natural extension of my usual work; 2) it is a job - I do the work and get paid! 3) I am in a flow of work that feels fabulous! 4) It gives me a good feeling to visualize doing this for a long time."

Flint added "When I am working with a client, I ask for lots of information and photos of themselves. Since they are paying me, I ask for feedback as I progress, as I want them to be happy with it. I recognize that I keep them in mind as I paint, and I work to get a feeling of THEM - a likeness, their colors, etc. The paintings still have my energy and vibrancy, but in general are more controlled and subtle that my personal work. This has become very apparent to me in the case of my own family portraits. In my recent one, Julian and Barry offered frequent comments and opinions, and when I knew that they were satisfied, I left it. When I compared it to my original family portrait - my own imaginings only - I saw a big difference in the depth of life. So now I want to come to a way of working that can satisfy me and my client. I am thinking that some clients may be hiring me because they want my loose style, but I have found that with some people, that is not what they want. Ultimately, I have to feel happy with it myself..."

Artist Stacie Flint has a constructive and encouraging attitude towards commissions and she is finding a balance between the taste of the client and her own satisfaction to create the artworks. I think she has good points that could be taken in consideration by other artists.

Since many years ago, the topic of art commissions has a special place in my mind. Particularly, it became more obvious when I visited Italy and saw in person the art by Michelangelo. He was and is considered a true master and creator but at the same time a big amount of his masterpieces were commissions, so for me it makes this topic still wide open to many more reflections...