TIBETAN TULIPS, original art. Why I'm Not A Huge Fan Of Commissions

Some people who are not familiar with the art world sometimes ask me what is a commissioned painting.

I admit it's confusing, because the word "commission" makes one think about a slice of a profit for salesman when he sells a product. But not in case of art.

Commissioned painting means "painting on order". Basically someone approaches me and asks me to paint something for him/her and if I'm ok with the theme and we agree on price, I get "hired". Not really, cause that sounds too much like "working", but kinda.

This happens to me more and more often, but since I don't like commissions, I mostly do my own work and people buy it once it's done. I feel blessed that most of my sales are happening mostly this way.

Commissions are stressful. There is always an expectation from the client to have an amazing piece, which I understand, and at the same time there is an expectation from me to deliver an amazing piece, thus the pressure.

I must say until today, I only had great experiences with commissioned paintings and always met and in many cases exceeded the expectations of my clients. With one exception that I share with you today.

This painting is called "Tibetan Tulips" and it was commissioned by a friend of mine. He wanted something to express love for his wife, who was born close to Tibet. So I researched Tibetan symbols and embedded the ones that I saw relevant and beautiful inside the painting. I even wrote a famous Tibetan mantra in it. And of course I put one yellow and one red intertwined like lovers in the middle.

I learned a year later that his wife didn't like it. He didn't tell me and when it eventually came to surface in a very unhealthy way, it spoiled our relationship unfortunately. It's a pity because I liked the guy and we have many friends in common.

I can forgive easily and I'm always up to making up my bad moves, I'm just that type of guy. I wish other people were like that too, but that's my stupidity of having such expectations.

We are who we are and nobody really ever knows us deeply. We only know the other people's projections to the world. Nobody knows our deepest yearnings, desires, hurts, trials and dreams. Such things can only be felt, not conveyed by words.

I believe that deep down, every human being, however unforgiving or bitter, has a good heart.
I know that I have a good heart, and at the same time I know that I hurt and disappointed many people.

To our best my friends. One day, we shell forgive truly. May it be before death teaches us the final lesson.

Much Love to All,

Thank you for reading,

Jan
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