2/29/07 The Truth of Custom Orders
I spoke yesterday to Barb Blissett, my contact from the City Clerks office, City of Kalamazoo. Her comments were “The artwork is beautiful.” What a huge relief!
It’s hard to explain but when a customer comes in with a custom request - and yet does not understand the limitations of the medium - it’s sometimes hard to feel that I can created a piece that they will love. Add to that the “corporate point of view” that sometimes expects “miracles” - like an original art piece created from scratch in two weeks. And you have a delicate tightrope situation to work with.
Yet, this is the truth of an artist that accepts custom orders, especially in a culture that is somewhat “spoiled” with multiple options. Once, people had the choice of ordering from one catalog - the Sears & Roebuck Company. Today, buyers have the ability to choose from a huge selection of merchandise from multiple stores, the Internet or from the artists hand - an almost unlimited choice.
It’s both a challenge and a pesonal satisfaction for me when the job is done and the customer is happy and satisfied with the work.
