ABOUT / PRICING
My first paintings. Our dog Tbone. He was such a handsome dog. I have his photo posted on Pixabay and it has been downloaded 25,000 times and used by artists around the world. He lives forever!
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 am happy to have paintings hanging in Sweden, many in Canada and several in the US including Tennessee, California, Colorado, Hawaii and Washington.
DONATIONS - 40 paintings donated to local charitable organizations and schools.
In 2020, 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. In October 2023 I donated three more painting 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
I buy the highest quality Gotrick canvases. The current prices (November 2023) for standard sizes are:
11 x 14 - $13
10 x 20 - $14
12 x 24 - $17
16 x 20 - $18
20 X 24 - $23
FRAME COSTS: 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 to $60. Prices for frames have increased significantly in the past few years. Similar frames from any other framing outlet in Canada are at least double. A 16" x 20" frame from a dealer in Vancouver is $140.00
11 x 14 - $38
10 x 20 - $44
12 x 24 - $48
16 x 20 - $52
20 X 24 - $60
So even before I start on a typical 16" x 20" I have invested at least $70 and this is not including the cost of paint, brushes, varnish and other materials such as framing hardware and may spend between 5 and 15 hours on the painting depending on size and complexity.
So when I list a 16" x 20" framed painting for $180 (average) I'm not making much for my time. 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 in the area of $180 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.
ART WALK 2022
