This feels like quite a funny question for me to ask.
Did you know I paint figures for people for a living? I've avoided the subject for all of years this blog has been running because I've always seen this blog as a 'my toys' blog. But this morning I had an email from someone asking if I took painting commissions and I thought, hang on a minute, you've been looking at my blog for ages and the various links to it (on popular sites), and you might have talked to me at shows............
I don't make a secret of what I do. Nor do I choose to advertise what I do on this site because I've always seen this site as 'commercially neutral'. This is my site to applaud the efforts of others and, of course, to brag a bit (I admit it).
But, how many of you knew I was a commissioned painter?
BTW. This is not an attempt to drum up trade. I started painting for beer money when I left hotel and restaurant management over ten years ago, now I make a living and my order book hasn't been completely empty for about six years (that was a crazy fortnight not taken full advantage of). I'd just be interested in knowing how many of you know I'm 'trade'.
See Poll in the side bar.
Thanks,
James
RESULT: 204 votes cast.
Yes, I knew that: 28%
No: 67%
I thought this blog had sneaky overtones [should have been 'sneaky undertones']: 4%
Frankly, I'm amazed. I thought the yes / no would be the other way around. The 4% who thought this blog was some kind of mind control gadget didn't surprise me, 3% percent of the male population are also psychopaths and............. (joke, boys).
24 comments:
No I didn't know that.
And I'm flabbergasted that you can paint full time for others and still churn out the huge gorgeous armies for yourself!
I knew.
What James said.
I wasn't aware you were a full time commissioned painter, however I new you sold some of your figures, but I thought perhaps they were figures you no longer needed from your collections or special commissions for friends.
Christopher
Christopher,
Indeed, that is what I've sold via this site and it has mostly gone to friends.
There are a lot of painters who show the work they have done on their blog / site but I've never quite felt able to do that. The work I do for others belongs completely to them.
When I won best painted army at Salute, I freely, and without thought, gave the owner of the army the trophy. It was his army not mine. S.R. has remained a firm an valued friend ever since. Sometimes it's best to keep your head down.
Hi James,
I did knew you painted for money, but did not knew it was your full time job. And I do believe it is a job if you do this for a living.
Cheers,
Wim
Yes, of course. You must have painted my 28mm Arthurian army 15 years ago at least....if not longer ??????
Around the time you were putting on medieval games around the show circuit...
I seem to remember seeing you at lots of shows, but usually i spoke to Chris a lot. And was it Mark that bought the hex terrain.??
M.
Maybe you need to look at letting people know what you do, what you charge etc. somehow. As you say this blog is not for "work"..but it might bring in work. I might want i "thingy, or a "do dar" painting...and i'll need to know how much of the retirement budget this will take...
In all the years....nope I had no idea!
Of course I knew you are a professional painter.
I always wondered how you could be so prolific with your own projects. I really appreciate that you keep this site free of professional advertising. There are already a lot of sites like that, your choice makes this place special.
Thank you very much!
James, very interesting numbers so far....i'm surprised...
M
James,
I knew you painted commissions, and am glad to find out you are so successful at it. Of course, your talent definitely shows in your units here on your 'hobby' site. From one who can't paint eyes anymore on 28mm, keep up the good work!
Joe
Did not have a clue. Perhaps that is because I read your posts from an RSS reader and not the blog page directly? (It strips out all of the sidebar bits.)
Had no idea.
It's what I do too.
I had no idea but I did think your stuff looked quite nice ;D
Well crap. I love your painting and had no idea!!!! Do you have a site with your prices and such? Crazy. Your armies are large and you paint for others ... I can keep up with my own stuff so have to supplement with other painters.
Now you've gone and done it, I'll never get a slot when I want one! ;)
Hi Jay, no I don't. New clients usually come to me direct via a personal recommendation from an existing one. My email olicanaps@gmail.com (the PS is for painting service, not post scriptum) is in the side bar of the blog for people who might hear otherwise.
I'm astounded that so few knew. Even the Revenue men know what I do!
Regards,
James
Hi Jay, no I don't. New clients usually come to me direct via a personal recommendation from an existing one. My email olicanaps@gmail.com (the PS is for painting service, not post scriptum) is in the side bar of the blog for people who might hear otherwise.
I'm astounded that so few knew. Even the Revenue men know what I do!
Regards,
James
I won't mention the numbers, i'll leave that up to you when the poll is done. But you never have been pushy about what you do, its your style. Chris told me about you, all those years ago, and he mentioned you would paint a few figures for me. Then you and i talked direct, and you would paint a few Arthurian figures as and when i sent them to you. Never any problems, and i seem to recall you were not to long about it either. Then you did a few samples of WW2 for me, not your usual type of figure, but you were happy to have a go, and they were to your usual high standards.
So you may be getting busy from this little "blog survey".
M.
No idea either!
I pay three painters to fill fill my shelves maybe you could pm me some info on 28mm prices?
Best wishes,
Jeremy
Still remember you managing a restaurant...
:)
A few of us were discussing this just the other day and the general conclusion was that although the usual trade with the Devil is to be a virtuoso guitarist, painting figures is a good one too...
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