When it's Ok to turn down a commission

When is it Ok to turn down a commission?

            This is one of the hardest things for me to do, turn down work. I really struggle with this.  Sometimes it’s just not a good fit and I need to know when to walk away. Art is so subjective, people like what they like and that’s ok.  I just that I have to identify when there is a problem and I will not be able to satisfy them.  I’m a pretty versatile artist or think I am, so I can create in lots of ways.  Sometimes I think it’s more a curse than a blessing.

I ran into this issue recently.  A customer had an idea in her head of what she wanted and how she wanted it done.  She had seen my work and seemed to like it. But I can’t read minds.  When I showed her the preliminary sketch she didn’t like it.  Sent me some other pictures but still didn’t like the sketch and pulled the plug.  I’m sure I could have asked more questions, could have dug into what she wanted.  I hadn’t had to do that before and I’m not sure that is what I want to do.  As a dear friend said to me “This ain’t Pizza”.  God bless him.  I had read in Art History class in college that many of the great artists struggled with this.  Some had Popes they had to satisfy.  Some defied convention and began a whole new phase in art.  I am in no way suggesting I’m in anyway near as great a Monet, Michelangelo or Picasso.  But it’s good to know they struggled with this exact issue.  I’m not sure the lesson is learned.  When my gut says, there is a problem, there is a problem and listen to my instincts.  If it’s time to walk away…walk away.

The story continued.  This same client asked for more work, different pictures of different things.  My reaction in the past would have been “sure” and tried my best to please this person and change my style to suit her.  This time after giving some thought to my answer I replied to her in a way that she could feel ok about choosing not to continue with the order.  I knew I would not be able to satisfy her at the price she felt ok paying.  It was freeing.  We’ll see if I can remember this lesson when it happens again.