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this post was submitted on 02 May 2025
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art commissioning has always been interesting to me, because i don't understand it. like, not from the artist's perspective obviously, they want to get paid.
personally, i've never thought "i would like some art". i can appreciate and critique art, and i can compare works to give preference to one over another. but i've never been able to describe a nonexistent piece that i do want.
but people have obviously been doing this for hundreds of years. so... am i broken?
It's quite common with tattoos, right? Unless you're getting flash or "omakase" tattoos, you can describe a concept to the artist and they'll design something for you.
maybe? i don't really understand why you would want a tattoo either.
Others have mentioned gifts and roleplaying games, but also businesses need art. Clip art, logos, decorative stuff. There’s always something delightful about finding small stores that do window murals, or novelty gas stations, or just stores that take some extra considerations for aesthetic.
Eg - part of Buccee’s is that beaver logo. It would not be the same at all without that logo and the beaver statues.
corpo art is another deal though. nobody wants it, it's just required.
For sure it’s “required” - but sometimes “want” does enter the picture. A lot of classic Americana and Route 66 aesthetic was motivated to sell people shit, but it’s also pretty fun.
I usually make my own art, but I did commission a unique piece as an anniversary gift once. It was in a style that I can't replicate, featured my and my partner's silhouettes, and was created by a friend.
Otherwise, I don't care much for decorations that aren't practical. I'm more of a "useful clutter" type than a "useless decor" type. Ever since I was a kid, I was confused by the concept of playful-looking decorations that you can't play with, like those silver ball things that my grandma decorated her garden with (what do you mean, "I'm not allowed to throw them"?) That feeling never went away. So as an adult, most "decorations" I own today have other uses, including various "stim toys" that I encourage guests to pick up and play with.
I am the exact same way. Growing up, whenever I would see some sculpture, or something like that, I would always ask "What does it do?". Then I would be told it's art and I'd go "Yes, but what does it DO?!". If there was no answer beyond just sit there to be looked at, I was instantly uninterested. What do you mean it doesn't do anything? Someone spent a lot of time making this and you're telling me it doesn't even move, or make noise, or anything? You can't even climb on it, play with it, or touch it? What's the point?
The point is, the artist has an idea and their to use it to communicate something to you. Does the art make you feel anything other than frustrated? Usually I try to figure out what the artist was saying with the piece.
It's also possible that the artist did not do a good enough job in their communication.
I was in a similar boat until I found some uncommon style I liked. I still haven't commissioned anyone yet, but that's mostly because I can't seem to find any agreed upon terminology for all but the most mainstream of art styles, let alone anyone that is consistently good
Try playing D&D, and you'll want to commission art.
i've done that for years.