Artsy Fartsy FAQs
This page is a hodge podge of things I’ve thought about over the years, based on questions/suggestions/advice from other people. Have a question? E-mail me @ Sunny@SunnyCrittenden.com
Q. Your original art is so expensive! Why can’t you sell it cheaper?
A. First of all, that is a really rude question. Second of all, this:
“If you ask yourself why ARTISTS (tattooists, painters, singers, dancers, musicians, film makers or anyone who falls under the artist category) charge “so much” for performances… We don’t get paid vacation, we don’t get paid sick days, we don’t get bonuses for outstanding performances nor for Christmas. We don’t have insurance plans. We sacrifice our family on special days so that we can bring happiness to others. Illness or personal affairs are not excuses for a bad performance. Next time you ask, remember that ARTISTS are ARTISTS because of the love of music & art but that love doesn’t pay debts.”
I deserve to make a living wage from my work. My time is worth money. That time includes going to various stores to collect the items for each painting, the time it takes to plan each painting from start to finish, the time it takes to collect images from the internet for inspiration, the time it takes to do the initial sketches for each painting, the time it takes to draw out each girl, the time it takes to shade her face and body, the time it takes to paint her hair (this actually takes a while), the time it takes to do the background for each painting (which contains at least 5 layers that all have to dry over night or all day), the time it takes to cut the girl out and paste her onto the background with books on top of her so she dries flat (this takes over night), the time it takes to paint and cut out arms (this takes FOR-EV-ER because I hate doing it and tend to procrastinate – that’s part of my process), the time it takes to select and adhere jewels to each girl and finally the time it takes to brush on TWO layers of varnish (each layer takes time to dry).
And don’t you think my IDEA is worth something too?
The fact of the matter is, I make pennies per hour if you really want to break it down. I don’t charge ENOUGH! And if you don’t like my prices, feel free to go to Wal*Mart and buy yourself a poster for 6 bucks.
Q. Will your art ever go on sale? Do you have sales or discounts?
A. This question has become more common ever since Etsy instituted coupon codes and it makes me nuts. I sell my art for how much I need to and I charge the actual cost of shipping. In fact, normally I end up paying more for shipping, out of my own pocket, than I charge the customer. It’s just how things go. So no, I can’t give you a coupon code for 10% off your next order or $5 off shipping. I just can’t do it.
The other thing is that once a price is set, it is set in stone. It can never go down. The reason for that is because discounting your work is an insult to the people who have purchased your art previously for the higher price. Here’s a good article which explains this. Because I rely on repeat purchases for the most part, I just cannot do it and I wouldn’t even do it if I could because I charge what I need to, no more, no less.
Q. Do you do commissions?
NO.
Q. Why can’t this be everyone’s attitude? – Sunny
A. ”You can’t buy art. You can’t sell art. You can be a patron of art, and you can give art to a temporary conservator. If you’re an art patron, you’re honor bound to help support the artist so they can continue their work. If you don’t, then you have denied the world any future art that your artist might be inspired to create when they’re trying to get by and are not creating.” – My friend Argent
Q. What’s with the menstrual/uterine themes?
I have endometriosis and as a result, I live with chronic pain. I’ve had 5 surgeries for it since I was 15, I’ve been to many specialists and I’ve tried every “cure”. Long story short, I have no alternative but to live with it and just work on pain management for about another decade, when I’ll finally have a hysterectomy.