What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I am not a price gauger! My goal is to quote a fair price that takes into account labor and time involved. Often, customers have no idea the amount of work that goes into a project. I try my best to educate them and work with them to price within their budget. I also am NO LONGER to DO FLOOR-GROUND WORK due to a neck injury.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The first item is to make sure I am a good match for them! I do this by making sure I have a clear understanding of their vision. Different artists are better suited for different art styles and painting surfaces. Once I am on board with the customer, we interact via email, texts, phone or even in person to polish the concept before touching their walls with paint. I then submit a sketch(es) for the customer’s approval and if it’s a go, I begin!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I majored in Illustration at Georgia State University, took painting lessons at the Institute for American Universities in Aix en Provence, France and audited Art History classes in Florence, Italy at Gonzaga University. Of course internet research always helps as well as occasional classes to learn new techniques.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I studied art but had difficulty finding my niche until I did a nursery mural as a gift for a friend who was having a baby. I was hooked and word of mouth spread fast. My passion for what I do has only grown since then. I lived in Europe for 3 years and was always awe-struck by the great masters. It pleases me to feel I have something to contribute the world that makes people feel good!
What types of customers have you worked with?
My work varies greatly. My initial concentration was on children’s motifs; in homes, pediatric offices, schools or churches. My body of work has grown tremendously over the last 15 or so years. I have painted logos for businesses and have worked on several commercial projects as well. I have experience painting on a variety of surfaces; wood, dry wall, concrete, brick, cement, window screens and metal. However, recently, I have decided to return to my first love passion and restrict my body of work to nurseries and children’s rooms.
Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I had a client that had built a 'hidden' room for the grandkids that could only be accessed by a bookshelf that opened up as a door to the room. They wanted the room to be Narnia, the CS Lewis book that was made into a movie. I was commissioned to do all four walls in the room so as to create the illusion that once they stepped through the 'secret' door they had actually entered this other land. I found myself getting lost in the fantasy as well as the paint left my brush and brought Narnia to life! And the grandkid's reaction was priceless.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Consider the quality of their work as well as their ability to be personable. It is your project after all, not theirs. You need to feel comfortable with the individual spending hours in your home. Peruse their website and look for reviews. And although there are general standards when estimating cost, if the price is too high, ask the service provider what adjustments can be made to bring it down. Also, expect to pay more for additions beyond what was originally agreed upon.
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
It’s important to know what you want or at least the style / direction you would like your image to go in. When filling out your request on Thumbtack for quotes, PLEASE have at least a description of what you want. Many customers who fill the “description” section out by answering “I know what I want” either don’t get quotes or are slower to receive them because the artist has no idea what your image entails.
Having done your own research regarding your image (links, internet images, having talked to others who have had murals painted, having sketches or at least a good description of what you are envisioning) also helps before approaching the artist. This helps the artist understand your vision. The artist can always help you develop your concept if he/she has a foundation to work with. 🙂
