Artists who are starting out sometimes ask me what they should price their work at.

It doesn’t feel that long ago that I was just starting out and asking other artists that same question.

I have no idea if I’m right or wrong but here is what I usually tell people:

First off, never undervalue yourself or your work.

2. Price your work first and foremost by what feels right for you. For each peice ask yourself what is the minimum you would need to feel you were compensated fairly. Once you know your minimum you can adjust if needed.

Reasons why you would adjust your prices up or down varies. For example, I often give a lot of work away or do a lot of work for free when working with community. But for institutions with budgets I might try to ask for what I feel the piece is worth rather than take a minimum.

3. You can also start pricing by coming up with a formula if you find that easier. A lot of artists will measure their work and charge by the square inch. That is also a good way to give yourself a ball park figure to start with.

4. For institutions who approach you to do public works of art, commissions, etc, they usually will have a budget in mind. Just ask them what they budgeted if you don’t know what to charge.

Do a calculation of the time you think it’ll take you (including travel, planning, meetings, creation, clean up) and it’s okay to negotiate or advocate for yourself for more if you feel what they are offering you feels as though you aren’t being compensated fairly for your time.

In the end you have to feel good, and you have to be valued for your time and your creativity. But at the same time, I’ve often taken gigs I felt underpaid because I wanted to be part of it, or needed to pay bills or had people to take care of. So it’s really up to you.

5. For galleries, I don’t feel that CARFAC rates are enough. So for exhibits try to advocate for yourself for more if you can. CARFAC rates are only a minimum guideline. It doesn’t mean you can’t be paid more.

6. As you go on in years, don’t forget to raise your prices. It’s okay to be paid fairly or well without feeling guilty. Even tho that battle is internal, guilt is a real struggle. Sometimes it feels gross to charge anything at all for doing work you love.

7. Your prices will always vary somewhere between free work you choose to do because you want to do it and work you feel you were paid very well for.

And it’s okay to have different scales for different situations.

8. Also when/if you are able, give back to community. When I was starting out, selling a painting for $100 was like a windfall and it meant I was able to buy groceries that week or month. It took 20 years but now I’m to donate quite a bit and that feels great.

I can’t think of anything else at the moment but I’m open for questions if anyone has any on this subject.

I’m no expert that’s for sure. I’ve muddled my way through and mostly taught myself. As I’ve said, I might even have been doing it wrong all these years lol.