Tips & tools include sample contracts, commission how-to's and more. Please use these samples and ideas as a guide when deciding on a special work of art or installation.

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Commissioning Custom Pieces
Incorporating a unique custom art work into the design of your home, garden or office projects will bring you pleasure, a feeing of satisfaction and pride in creating a unique environment. Here are some tips for developing your design ideas and creating a successful relationship with artists and fine craftspeople.

  • Conversation time - When you find the artist whose work are excited about contact them and arrange a time to have a detailed conversation about what they are able to do for you, their limitations, time frames, need for specialized materials and special requirements of your project.
  • Defining your vision - You may develop some sketches to show the artist and get their expertise on materials and artistic considerations. Look at the artist's portfolio to pick out elements you enjoy from past works. Have a discussion on dimensions, color, texture, finish and timing elements.
  • Contracts - A sample contract follows that details considerations. An initial deposit due upon signing, followed by another when a satisfactory preliminary design is delivered by the artist followed by a larger final payment upon delivery is customary.
  • Cancellation or Modification - Many times as a project evolves and either client or artist will offer changes or modifications. This should be addressed in the contract with both client and artist signing off of changes and cost details.
  • Rights - Owner of the design and rights to reproductions, and whether the artist has the right to use the commission and the name of the purchaser in their resume should be discussed.
  • Insurance - Usually the Artist shall insure the artwork at their studio and bear the risk of loss of the artwork until the time it is delivered to Client. Work done on site will need insurance discussion.
  • Blending Artwork in a space - Arrange a meeting between all artists and yourself when working on a single space to discuss; colors, finishes, styles and themes.
  • Finding Artists and Fine Craftspeople - Home and Garden Art Link.com offers to the discerning art patron, home designer, architects, landscape designer and homeowners a juried, one stop site to connect up with master artists in 10 categories.

*The sample contract below will work as a basic commission agreement.  More elaborate agreements may contain terms such as what happens if the artist becomes ill, or if there are shipping specifications and installation instructions.  You may also want to spell out whether you have the right to use the commission and the name of the purchaser in your resume. (Adapted from sample contract from THE ARTIST’S MAGAZINE)

ARTWORK
COMMISSION AGREEMENT

ARTIST ______________________ and CLIENT __ _____________________ hereby agree to the following terms relating to the commission of Artwork

1. PRICE  Client shall pay Artist a fee of ___________ for completion of Artwork along with Artist’s actual expenses which are estimated below.  Actual expenses will be determined at the time of completion of the Artwork.

2. RIGHTS Artist and Client agree that Artwork is a work made for hire.  Artist therefore transfers all rights, title and interest in the work, worldwide, to Client. Or Artist negotiates to retain the rights.

3. DELIVERY Artist shall deliver a preliminary design to client within _________ days from the date of this agreement.  The artwork shall be delivered to client by _____, 20__.

4. PAYMENT  Client shall pay artist a deposit of __% of the total estimated cost of the Artwork as set forth in Paragraph 1, above at the date of signing of this agreement.  Client will pay an additional ___% of the total estimated cost of the Artwork upon deliver by the Artist of the preliminary design.  Client will pay the actual cost minus the amount of the previous payments within 30 days of delivery of the Artwork.

5. ESTIMATES  The estimated expenses shown in paragraph 1, above are minimum estimates.  Actual expenses may be up to 10% higher than estimates without Client’s approval.  Any expenses more than 10% over estimates must be preapproved by Client.  Actual expenses will be shown on final invoice delivered with the Artwork.

6. CHANGES  Client shall be responsible for making additional payments for any changes to the Artwork requested by Client after the date of this agreement.

7. CANCELLATION  In the event of cancellation of the commission assignment by /client, ownership of all rights, title and interest to the artwork shall remain with Artist.  Further, Artist shall retain all deposits paid by Client at the time of cancellation.

8. MODIFICATION  Any modification of this agreement shall be made in writing and shall be signed by Artist and Client.

9. INSURANCE Artist shall insure the artwork and bear the risk of loss of the artwork until the time it is delivered to Client.

ARTIST AND CLIENT acknowledge their understand and acceptance of the above terms by signing below;

__________________ Dated _________ __________________ Dated _________
Artist   Client

PRICE BREAKDOWN _______________
Photography _______________
Models/Props _______________
Travel _______________
Art Materials _______________
Telephone _______________
Postage/Insurance _______________
Subtotal _______________
+ Artist's Fee _______________
Total _______________

Ready to start? Contact a Home and Garden Art Link artist!