interested in commissioning artwork
 

So ratbastid and I are looking for some art for our house (specifically our bedroom). We almost just bought a couple of framed Klimt prints, but decided to wait.

And then I thought...

...why get something you can buy anywhere when we could get something original?

But it's such a pain, hunting around for something we like. We don't even know where to look for local artists.

So:
1. where's a good place to start looking locally for artists?
and
2. I don't know if this is the right place to negotiate this, but are any of you artists out there interested in a commission? We'd love to have something from our TFP community, and it'd be too awesome to support a real, live artist instead of a web site.

I don't want to be too specific about what we want, just that it should be:

colorful (not too primary - lots of jewel-tones)
sexy
sensual - curvy

If anybody's interested, we'd love to take a look at some of your work and hear about prices and stuff.

For local artists, there should be an art shop in your town that features work from local artists. I have one just 14 blocks from my place.

I'll do what ever you want in whatever style you want
CHEAP

Feel free to check out my website, www.adamarp.com

I can have prints done here at school on $80000 printers, archival inks, the works. Hell, I can even have things printed on actual cloth canvas. Scale is 4 feet wide by however long you want it.

Here's a recent example of my work:
http://personal.bgsu.edu/~aarp/paintwings.jpg

I can't sell that one (I already have, single edition contract) but thats heavily in my style.

I'm REALLY glad to hear people wanting to support local or new artists, it really is great what you're doing.

Got a portfolio or website or something we could check out?

Look in the paper for arts shows; you'll find 50 or so artists in one shot. "Juried" shows will have more established (better track record, but more $) artists. There are more in the summertime, but you can probably find some indoor shows.

Go to a show, find an artist who you like their style, and strike up a conversation.

In New Haven, there's a show called Open Studios, which lasts 3 weekends and has about 500 artists, which is simply amazing.

Ditto to all the art shows and galleries...

I found this artist through a post in Wayside (I think cchris did the post).

She is in Spain but can ship anywhere. The prices didn't seem all that ridiculous to me. Somehow I think you are going to like her stuff: link

I'd love to hear (and see) what you ultimately decide to buy.

Cheers

That stuff was awesome. Nicoletta roxx!