Ed Council

Serves Myrtle Beach, SC

35244

Hired 22 times

1 employee

24 years in business

Free on-site estimate

4.9

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, Square cash app, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

Edward Council jr 
Completed on 2/19/2024 

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Introduction

Very experienced muralist, fine art and specialty painter (also faux/trompe l'oeil - trained under a mentor doing furniture market showrooms in High Point NC for many of the largest furniture companies in the world). After 25 years' experience as a professional artist there's little in the way of subject matter that I haven't painted at some point - also few surfaces/materials that I haven't painted on. Aside from the above mentioned, I'm also very proficient at design/fabrication and I'm a creative idea person. I've worked all across the U.S. as well as in the Bahamas and USVI and my clients include numerous municipalities, universities, corporate/commercial accounts, and private/residential entities. Years of experience has culminated in an ability to work very proficiently (fast but without sacrificing quality) and knowledgeably over a wide spectrum of artistic venues... this allows me to offer high quality results at very affordable prices, and I guarantee satisfaction with all of my work. I'm willing and able to travel for work and I can furnish all references. PRICING - although time and size DO factor into my pricing, I don't charge exclusively by the square foot or by the hour - I charge by the job. To clarify, sometimes a small painting on canvas can take twice the amount of time as a very large mural. I also understand that charging by the hour introduces the potential temptation for the artist to paint slower in order to run up the cost... this is unfair to the client and a waste of time for the artist. I've been doing this long enough so that once I know the specifics of a project I'm able to quickly and accurately calculate all the logistics and that's how I price my work. Other issues that can factor into pricing are prep work if necessary, working conditions and painting surfaces, amount of detail, painting style, etc. Usually a brief phone call is all it takes to gather enough info about your project for me to be able to immediately offer you a quote. Please view the samples of my work posted here in my profile - I have many more photos available on request. Being a professional muralist/artist has provided me many opportunities to travel and to meet many all kinds of interesting people. It also allows me a great deal of freedom and control over my schedule....but probably most importantly I'm fortunate enough to be able to pursue the work I feel I was meant to do.

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Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

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First of all, I guarantee satisfaction with ALL of my work. Secondly, every mural/job is different... I don't understand how anyone can formulate a way to charge strictly by the hour or by the square foot. Charging by the hour opens the door to the possibility of the artist intentionally painting slower to run the price up - that's unethical. If mural has a definite value, and if artist A can accomplish the work in one day while it takes artist B two days, then in order for artist A to be paid for the value of his work his hourly charge has to be double that of artist B, and A will seldom end up getting hired. I also don't understand a standard square foot price, as I've painted large murals in as little as one to two days while at the same time smaller more detailed murals can easily take twice as long or longer. I calculate my price based on a number of factors - *time, *size, *style/amount of detail, *working conditions (will I be painting on smooth drywall in a climate controlled room while standing on soft carpet, or will I be climbing up and down scaffolds/ladders painting on rough brick in 90 degree heat?}, *will prep work be necessary on my part (is the surface ready to be painted or does it need any repair/priming/basecoating?), *surface type, etc. I've been doing this long enough to be able to able to factor all of this in and to know what's involved and how long the work will take based on info provided to me by the client... usually by the end of the first phone conversation. I charge by the day based on these factors and only reduce that daily charge accordingly if it's a small half day job or work I can do in-house (drawing, painting on canvas, etc). Once I've gotten the necessary info from the client I'll know what's needed on my end and I can very quickly supply the client with a quote. My price will NOT go up if I make the mistake of underestimating the time/difficulty/etc... if I make an error I absorb the mistake and the client will not be presented with any surprise "extra" charges at the end of the project. Changes made after the start of the project will be discussed and agreed on by both parties and price adjustments will be made accordingly and in writing.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

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A brief introduction through Thumbtack in which I usually encourage the client to contact me via phone/email - you seldom get enough info in the initial/original request to be able to compute a price... usually the details can be clarified in a brief phone call and I can offer a quote on the spot. Some jobs may actually require a visit to the site, but that's more the exception rather than the norm.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

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BA in Fine Art, concentration Painting... UNC-Greensboro BS in Industrial Arts, concentration Drafting/Technical Illustration... Appalachian State Univ.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

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Always wanted to be an artist - it's always felt like a calling.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

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Read the Artist's Thumbtack profile and reviews! Ask the artist to describe the process in a bit of detail... a good artist should be able to launch into this at the drop of a hat - you should have to tell him/her to stop, lol.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

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What can you the artist tell me regarding what's involved in producing the work?

Favorites

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