Together by Meri DeCaria, commissioned by Michelle Wimber, 10″ x 10″

by Michelle Wimber

With times as rough as they are few may be considering starting an art collection. Even when times are good one might think collecting art is only for the rich and well-connected. But there is hope for the average person.

I love art, but being a young single professional in my first “grown-up” job, I thought art was more than I could afford and didn’t feel like I fit into the long line of art patrons like the Catholic Church and the Medicis. So when I noticed on their website that the Salt Lake Art Center was holding a series of fundraising art salons, called Not Just Another Pretty Face, at which people were introduced to a variety of artists’ work and invited to commission a piece, I was nervous that I wasn’t rich enough or important enough to do so. But I was intrigued by the idea of commissioning my own artwork, and I figured I’d go for the refreshments if nothing else.

So I attended one of the salons at the Art Center and was pleased to find that the artworks cost anywhere from only one hundred dollars on up to a few thousand. I definitely could afford that. And the roster of artists – over sixty artists, from up and coming students to well-established artists working in a variety of styles and mediums — was as attractive as the prices. The premise of the salon was to allow people to connect with artists in the community, not only to support the local art scene but also to be a part of creating a piece of art uniquely tailored to the patron. Though the salon I attended was at the Art Center, the majority of them were held in the intimate setting of a private home. The title of the program, Not Just Another Pretty Face, refers to the fact that while a patron might choose to commission a portrait, the work they commissioned could really be anything. The salon organizers tried to help the prospective patrons understand how the process would work, pointing out that the extent to which the patron could dictate the final product would depend on the artist they worked with. You could express certain desires for your work and some artists would incorporate those wishes more directly and some would require more artistic license. In other words, if you wanted a portrait of yourself and you hired an abstract artist you wouldn’t be getting something representational so you needed to be aware of that and work with the artist that best fit your desires.

Anne Morgan Jespersen, The Kanter Brothers (Nate and Ben), 2009, Oil on board, 20 x 17″; each, Commissioned by Catherine and Josh Kanter

After the slide show presentation on all the artists we were left to mingle and decide if we wanted to commission someone. I decided on three different artists and filled out an interest form. A couple days later I was emailed with their information and I contacted my favorite on the list: Meri DeCaria. I was drawn to her work because of her graphic abstract style and interest in swirling, organic lines. I had decided to commission the work to give to my fiancé as a wedding present. I knew he would love Meri’s work because he has a penchant for drawing swirls and circles on the sides of his Converse shoes. I contacted Meri and humbly asked her if she would condescend to paint something for a poor kid who couldn’t pay her very much. She emailed me back and helped me realize that artists aren’t stuck up or unapproachable and actually real people and that I didn’t have to be nervous. We met to discuss what I wanted from the commission. She asked me about myself and my fiancé and was happy to be involved in giving something unique and meaningful to my fiancé for our wedding. I told her what I was looking for, in this case relating my fiancé’s love of swirls and circles, and that I wasn’t looking for a portrait but just a certain style. It was fun to be able to be a part of creating a work of art just for us. Meri took what she learned from me and went back to her studio to create the piece. I met with her recently to look at it and was very pleased. I know my fiancé will really love it and that makes it even more special.

Angela Van Wagoner, The Family Roster, 2009, Digital photograph laminated and mounted, 20 x 60″, Commissioned by Robyn and Dave Kremer

The process overall was much more fun and easy than I expected and really helped me feel comfortable about starting my own art collection. The Salt Lake Art Center plans to hold more salons in the future and I highly recommend them as a great way to begin your own art collection. If you do choose to begin collecting art, or have in the past but have never commissioned a work, here are some tips for commissioning a piece of art.

Sandy Brunvand, Trees, Roots & Trails, 2009, Relief and etching prints on fiber paper, beeswax, and staples, 36 x 17.5″, Commissioned by Steve and Liz Burgess

Research artists on the internet or visit galleries. The monthly Gallery Stroll is a great way to find some new artists you may never have seen before. Realize there is artistic license for most artists unless you are working with a portraitist or someone who will do exactly what you say. Contact the artist to see if they do commissions. Decide on an artist and make sure you have a contract stipulating cost, size, materials and when you want the work completed. If it is an expensive artwork you should look into having a legal contract drawn up. Keep in mind these questions as you work with the artist:

-Who or what the work is for? Someone else, for you, for your living room, office etc.
– How big do you want it?
– What medium and style do you like?
– What is your budget?
– Does it come framed?
– Will they need to install it for you?
– How do you care for it?

The final commissioned pieces of Not Just Another Pretty Face will be unveiled at the Art Center’s fundraising gala on June 6 and will remain on display from June 7 to July 4. Visit their website to see a list of commissioned artists.

Laura Boardman, “Serentiy,” 2009, Oil on canvas, 11.5 x 35.5″, Commissioned by Mary and Dee Bangerter

15 Bytes

UTAH’S ART MAGAZINE SINCE 2001, 15 Bytes is published by Artists of Utah, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.