WHERE HAVE ALL THE ARTISTS GONE?

After answering much email on the same subject- maybe 50% of what I receive- I thought I'd post an explanation as I see it. (and we all know how "normal" that viewpoint is!) ;-)

I've noticed that most hobby artists seem to be moving away from accepting custom orders. I'm always interested in what other artists do and charge, but it seems every site I visit says "BOOKS CLOSED"! When I first got into the hobby I thought it was a "holier than thou" attitude and it really bugged me. I said I'd never be so unappreciative! Well, having found myself booked until 2004 and overwhelmed at the idea- and having a couple of customers (thank God, ONLY a couple) who are less than understanding, I'm slowly being drawn... "Don't fight it, Luke- come over to the Dark Side..."

Personally, it takes me 2-4 weeks to complete one horse, no matter what scale. This is my sole income. I charge $200. (hey, $200 to paint a toy horse sounds pricey!) When you do the math you can see that presents a starvation problem. I'm forced to do auction horses (because they sell considerably higher) in order to afford to do commissions. Of course, that keeps me farther behind on commissions. It's a vicious circle. Granted, physical problems make me slower than most artists. Still, the model horse hobby just doesn't have financial appeal for most artists. Artists in the hobby have to do horses because they genuinely enjoy it. Also, what few artists are still taking orders get so behind so quickly that they become overwhelmed.

There are those (fortunately few in our generally warm & fuzzy hobby) that chronically complain about artists, pricing and waiting, even threatening and badgering- then cart their frustrations to public lists (Survey indicates that these are often the same ones who have questionable payment histories)

I think what happens as a result is that artists are finding smaller circles of "safe" customers/friends and are increasingly wary to encounter new customers/potential liabilities.

Even the progression of the hobby itself is to blame- competition is so tough now that more and more knowledge and time and energy is required to generate NAN quality horses.

Fortunately, there are options for hobbyists.

1- There is a great influx of new and capable talent- just gotta get to them before those "other guys" do!

2- Most artists maintain a waiting list. Not a quick fix, but an option.

3- Since most artists are in the same financial constraints and are forced to go the auction route, you can scan the auction sites and bookmark your favorite artists' sellers' lists.

4- Many artists are happy to accept wish lists. If the artist incorporates your idea, you are contacted. If you like the piece, you bid, if not, you haven't been disappointed.

5- Yet another option many artists are now open to is bartering. Starving artist syndrome dictates that artists generally aren't able to purchase those special resins or related items for themselves. They will accept bookings in trade for "want list items". Some artists post want lists on their sites.

Obviously there are artists of questionable intent. I'm not saying we are a perfect lot, nor that we don't have a hand in causing our own problems. I'm only presenting one explanation from one artist's viewpoint.

I know the closed books syndrome IS a problem for hobbyists- and a self-perpetuating one. I haven't solved the problem, but sure hope I've shed some light and opened up some options.