
Episode #34
When the Client Hates Your Art: Navigating Commissions, Pricing, & Rejection | Art Crush
What happens when you pour your time and talent into a custom commission, only for the client to say, "I don't like it"? In Season 3, Episode 34 of Art Crush , hosts Paula Telizyn and Fi Marks dive into the tricky, sometimes emotionally fraught world of art commissions. From navigating endless revision requests to dealing with flat-out rejections, Paula and Fi share their personal experiences and hard-earned business boundaries. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a new artist terrified of sharing your work, this episode is packed with candid advice on protecting your time, your income, and your peace of mind. In this episode, we discuss: Handling Rejection: How to not take it personally when a client doesn't connect with a commissioned piece. The "Disconnect Point": How physical acts like varnishing or framing can help you emotionally detach from a finished painting so you can let it go. Managing Expectations: Why clear communication and setting firm boundaries from day one are crucial to a successful project. Pricing Your Work: Why you should be charging 25% to 50% more for commissions than off-the-peg art, and why taking money upfront is non-negotiable. Owning Your Expertise: Reminding yourself that you are the expert being hired—and why you shouldn't let non-artists dictate your creative process. Tune in for an honest conversation about the business of art, overcoming the fear of criticism, and learning how to confidently navigate client relationships. --- About Art Crush: Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business. We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity. Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms. Connect with the hosts: Check out The 51% at www.thefiftyonepercent.com Find Fi Marks' art at www.fimarks-art.co.uk Find Paula Telizyn's art at www.PaulaTelizyn.com Catch up on the official Art Crush website at www.artcrush.co.uk

