ABOUT / PRICING
I began painting in 2014 as a way to help pass the long winter evenings in Alberta. I took some online lessons through Tim Gagnon Studio and quickly learned some of the basics. I found out that learning the basics was easy; but to combine what you learn into a pleasing composition is difficult. I continue to do his lessons but am at the point now where I also enjoy painting whatever comes to mind or working from my own photographs. I find that the more I paint the more there is to learn. My favourite subjects are landscapes, facades, trees, old buildings, birds, insects and animals. I love painting details on my subjects and making them look as realistic as possible. I don't paint to make money. I paint because I enjoy it and knowing that my painting is hanging in someone's home because they like it.
November 1, 2020 Milestone - I sold my 100th painting last week. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think this would happen. I happy to have paintings hanging in Sweden, many in Canada and several in the US including Tennessee, California, Colorado, Hawaii and Washington.
DONATIONS
Last spring I donated 15 paintings to a local school for a silent auction to raise funds for their outdoor school. The school raised approximately $1500 with the paintings I donated. In January 24, 2022 I donated three paintings to the MS Society of Alberta to help raise funds for the MS Bike Ride in June. At the end of September 2022 I donated three paintings to the Canada Post Children's Charity in Redwater for bidding. In October 2022 I donated three paintings to the Morinville Chamber of Commerce for the Fall Gala and Silent Auction. I also donated six paintings to the Redwater Art Society for their fundraiser in October 2022 as well as three more paintings to the Canada Post Children's Charity. In April 2023 I donated another four paintings to the Canada Post Children's Charity.
PRICING
Most professional artists will charge between $1.00 and $6.00 / sq. in. This may sound high but includes the cost of the canvas, paints, supplies and time; which in many cases could be 10 - 60 hours our more depending on the size and complexity of the painting.
Canvas costs for 11 x 14 up to 18 x 24 are in the $15 - $40 range. I buy the highest quality Gotrick canvases. I also frame most of my paintings with a standard 1.25" black wooden frame. I buy these in bulk from The Matshop and the prices range from $35 for an 11 x 14 to $60 for an 18 x 24. Prices for frames have increased significantly in the past year.
The majority of my paintings are 16 x 20 and the frame cost is about $55. So even before I start I have invested about $75 for the canvas and frame. Frames for a painting of this size at most framing outlets or when purchased online will be at least $100. So when I list at 16" x 20" painting for about $200 (or less) I am actually only clearing about $130 which is covering the paint and time; which in many cases is an average of 10 - 15 hours. So as you can see I am not charging a lot for my paintings.
As mentioned, I don't paint to make money. I paint because I enjoy it and it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that people like my style of art. However, I can't "give" my paintings away. When I started painting I charged $0.40/sq. in for my paintings. Even at that time I was told I don't charge enough for my paintings. As I have become more experienced and generated more sales I am now charging between $0.50 and $0.75/ sq. in. which is very reasonable and I am told I still don't charge enough. So that means for a 16" x 20" framed painting the cost would be between $160 and $250 depending on the time it took to do the painting and the detail. Many artists I am familiar with would charge between $300 and $600 for a painting of this size. Shipping costs to most locations in western Canada are about $30.00. The furthest I have shipped a painting was to Tennessee and it was only $50 via FedEx. Of course if you are in my area we can arrange for pickup or delivery at no charge.
