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. In October 2024 another three paintings donated to Canada Post Childrens' Charity and four paintings donated to local doctor and medical clinice.
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
