Tiles Delivered!

These are just some of 170 tiles I delivered today for a job in Connecticut. I finally got to meet a lovely lady I've done business with for probably 15 years but we have never met!

Every now and then she calls me with a job. Sometimes the job is tiny, 4 or 5 painted tiles for above a sink or along the top of a fireplace but this time it was for a whole kitchen backsplash.

It was so much fun to finally meet her and her husband since she and I have talked so much on the phone over the years.

We went with a very traditional Delft style design but with my own touches. It was particularly fun to this design right now since I'll be going to see the Delft factory itself (yes, in Delft, Holland!) in the last week of May! Can't wait.

Here is a close up of the designs. In this order there were 24 painted designs and the rest of the tiles just had the petal and dot corners.

Every time I do one of these larger jobs, especially with all the other work I have going on, it makes me wonder why I take it on. But then I see how excited and happy the client is and I get invited right into the next one. The truth is there are things I hate about the tile business and things I love about it. Every now and then I think I should just quit...

and then I don't.

Ever feel conflicted by elements of your art related business?

Comments

[Suki]

Great tiles and how fun to meet the purchaser. Hope you have fun in Holland.

[Cathy]

Super tiles. And yeah, I felt conflicted about being an illustrator for years. Have finally stopped...except for when a good job comes my way where the work is fun and the moulah good. Hmmmmmm.....I'm thinking it's okay as long as it doesn't get in the way of the things I really want to do. Maybe it's the same for you, Mary?

[katiejane]

I agree with Cathy. I don't do my stained glass commercially any more either. Only if a good commission comes my way. Sometimes you have to please yourself first. It will eventually show in the work.

[BlossomingTree]

Your tiles are beautiful! I've felt the way you have before. When I started hand painting t-shirts it was just a hobby, something to occupy my time. Then a relative started promoting it. At the time I needed the money so I did it but it became a burden because the "fun" was no longer there. Since then I've started working on "my time". I sell what I have and make more when I feel the inclination.

Have a wonderful trip to Holland!