How much time did that take? And why I don’t care.

Listen I understand why people ask because it somehow validates artwork into being more or less impressive then what the images implies itself. Or maybe you just want to know just to know. I get and I used to ask other artists the same. Here’s why I don’t anymore nor do I answer the question. Every single artists skill set, skill level and methods are different. What does that mean? It means you take the same subject 5 different artists doing their interpretation of it and you’ll have 5 different time frames. But does that make each piece more or less impressive?

If I draw a subject now and in five years down the road I draw the same subject chances are it may take me less time. To me time doesn’t mean anything spent on a piece of art. It’s just tells me you may be more advanced or further down your career path. The other reason I do not care about the time spent is because almost every artist out there does not get compensated appropriately for their art when we are talking about time spent on a piece. Painters will tell you the same thing. If I charged by the hour NO ONE would buy my art. If I spent 80 hours on a piece and say the minimum wage in my state is around $16 an hour for a total of what would be $1280. For perspective that would be a 14x17” piece with a vehicle that’s got a good amount of detail and maybe a dog headshot included that I charge $900.


Now that’s on the low end. I’ve been doing this for 10 years. I’d like to think, and I have, been at businesses where I’ve made well over $16 an hour. Sure I can charge that but the big question is would it sell? You have different sides saying different things to that. One side would say yes you absolutely should! The other will say I wouldn’t pay half that for what you’re doing. Who’s right? Is it really about time spent on it? Who’s going to actually buy that says either opinion? This is why I don’t care about time spent on a piece. It’s not to be rude just the reality of it is that it doesn’t matter. As an artist, and I think others can relate, we have to charge accordingly. However that looks and works differently per individual. Some artists may even spend less time on their art because of that. Some like me I don’t really care because I want to progress more as an artist. Others may be doing neither and charging a mint for their work.


It sounds like I’m ranting and I’m really not it’s just more of a reality for me probably more then the people who are actually asking legitimately just to know. This is just what I think when I’m being asked. But it’s also what I’m doing for a living compared to fans and admirers just being that fans and admirers. Anyways welcome to my Ted talk hahah.