What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Since no two projects are exactly the same, I quote each project based on its own merits. That said, I have certain formulas I use for each service that ease the process of calculating a fair quote. I typically provide my quotes as all-inclusive flat rates or if it is a very large project, a ballpark estimate and hourly rate may be employed.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Regardless of which creative service you are seeking, the typical process starts with collecting some basic information about you and your project or event. Some of this information will be prompted by Thumbtack when you initiate your search for a Pro, but the more thoroughly you describe your project at the start, the better! If you have a specific deadline, budget or other restrictive concern, or if you are unsure about or flexible with certain aspects of your project, please be forthcoming with these, so that I can efficiently produce the best solution to serve your needs.
You'll find you're working with a very approachable, patient, professional and compassionate artist dedicated to bringing your vision to life, so ask as many questions as you may have and expect that I will provide thorough answers and recommendations, so you will feel fully involved in the creative process.
Ultimately, it is my goal that you have a 5-Star experience from start to finish and that you'll be willing to rave about it after!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
New Hampshire Institute of Art, Manchester, NH
Glassell School of Art, Houston, TX
How did you get started doing this type of work?
If you want to really reel back the creative clock, you might say I 'informally' began work as an artist around the age of 12, when I started to take on five and ten cent commissions drawing my classmates' favorite Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon characters. I knew pretty early on that I was destined for a creative career.
I went on to participate in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art competition in Middle and High School, placing very highly each year and showing my western-themed art at the Hayloft Gallery numerous times. It was during my teen years that I accepted some of my earliest professional work in the areas of portrait artistry and murals.
Some time after graduation and moving to New Hampshire, I expanded to include face-painting, graphic design and art educational services.
What types of customers have you worked with?
The clients I have worked with vary from service to service, but have included private individuals, collectors, business owners, festival and other event coordinators, restaurants, banks, fine art galleries, daycares, schools, law offices, hospitals, contractors, yoga studios, gyms, libraries, to name a few that come to mind.
Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I'm really fond of couple of murals I recently painted in my town's library in early December 2019, as the "icing on the cake" of the renovations completed there over the last year.
I depicted the most notable historical landmark in town: the dry-laid Stone Arch Bridge, which is very near my home and art studio adorned with choice characters from Beatrix Potter's beloved books.
On the opposite wall above a set of doors, I painted a few more characters and the text "Reading is like Dreaming with your eyes Open" There are two ways to enter/exit the library, and either way you choose, you'll be inspired!
I worked on-and-off for about two weeks. My toddler daughter was with me through much of the painting process and it is a mural she will grow up enjoying every time she visits the library, along with the tight-knit community of Gilsum.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
The key to finding the best artist for your project is to take time to go beyond the Thumbtack profiles and explore each artist's website, Facebook/Twitter/Instagram pages, or other online portfolios to really appreciate the quality of work they consistently produce, how they interact with their customer/fan base, etc. Don't rely exclusively on one source of information to make your determination.
And while there is truth to the phrase, "You get what you pay for" as much in this industry as any other, don't forget that someone recently paid $120,000 for a banana duct-taped to a wall. Any amount you pay for a lack-luster art piece is over-paying, too!
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
I think each potential client should ask themselves what they hope to gain by hiring an artist...and I don't mean in a literal sense.
Example:
On the surface, you may be commissioning a painting of a bird taking flight, with the intention of gifting it to a friend. But chances are your real motive is more complex than that.
Upon further consultation, I may discover the deeper reason you chose that subject is that it conveys 'freedom' for a friend who is battling cancer, and you hope that this friend will be reminded they are loved, supported, and gain hope each time they view it.
I believe most creative people will be inspired by the latter insight, so don't hesitate to share the deeper "why" behind your vision. I can't tell you how many times this extra information has radically altered some aspect of the design process and resulted in an even more positive experience for both artist and client.
Don't just share "what" you want- share "why" you want it.
