Expert: DJ Murphy - 5/24/2004

Question
I have started doing murals for people in their home and want to continue doing so.  Do you think it would be a prudent idea to contact building contractors, interior decorators, interior painters and the like to show my portfolio and give them the run down of how it would work?  Is it unreasonable to charge for supplies up front and in the receipt give them an itemized list of all the supplies, and then charge per hour for labor when finished?  And as for my basic art that I always do, I've had most of the gallery's around here classify it as surreal (even though I wouldn't classify it as such)  I live in a very conservative city and they only like pretty flower and portrait pictures, any idea how the heck to sell mine?  they're starting to take over my walls!!!! thank you

Not a clue what I'm doing, but great at making it up as I go along!  :)

Answer
Hello Samantha,

Yes by all means contact as many potential vendors as possible.........also try a small classified ad under "services" or whatever category your local paper uses to advertize your murals.

As for pricing.........use just one price for the project.....with 50% at the beginning of the commission and 50% upon completion.  This should provide you with enough money to pay for materials.  Don't give an itemized list to anyone.....and don't charge by the hour.  Just figure what you want to be paid, and tell the client the price.     Also if you use designers......they usually want 20% of the price as a commission.  Galleries that recommend you will also want between 10% and 30% for recommendations.

If you have money enough to advertize.....then try a small photo of your work.....and write some brief copy for the display ad...and see if it pulls in clients.

Good luck,

dj murphy

p.s. If you contact the vendor list you mentioned...best bet is to make an 8x11 inch flyer......with sample photos of your work.....and mention a 10% referral fee.