Falling Leaves
We’re Jamin’
Once in a while a client allows me to do whatever I want. Of course, what I want is to please my client. I have found the best and only way to please the client is to please myself. But pleasing anyone, including myself, is a funny thing. The truth is there are those who will never be pleased; they complain about everything. Fortunately, those people rarely commission a portrait from me because to commission an artist is a tremendous act of faith. Faith is difficult for some people. So when someone trusts me enough to commission an artwork from me that tells me, without a word, my client has faith in my ability.
Those who commission a portrait from me know they will be pleased, even before I create and show them my work. That’s why I rarely worry about pleasing people. The people who commission me are the rare portion of the population who understand the collaborative process and actually enjoy jamming and building an idea with an artist whom they respect. In a great collaboration, everyone is adding something to the final product, which is often much greater than the some of ideas. That’s why I rarely disappoint people. And in those rare instances where the initial reaction is less than enthusiastic, I have trained myself to know that with a couple minor changes, which I have become very good at making over the years, the client will be thrilled, not only with the artwork, but with the entire process itself.
Musicians know about collaboration and the good ones have learned to love it. Perhaps, my music background in some way prepared me for a career as an artist. I enjoy collaboration and appreciate the trust my clients place in me. The sum was definitely greater than the parts with “Falling Leaves.” This portrait is not your typical portrait. It didn’t hurt that the clients are both musicians. But even with non-musicians, I have found success in almost every commission I have had the pleasure of doing, over 45 years,, with a couple earlier exceptions. Bob Marely sang it best, I hope you like jamin too!
Making a commission piece is a sacred trust. And I think people instinctively know I feel that way. Because in the end, it goes both ways. Let’s jam on a work of art!