Opinions...

A friend of mine recently critiqued negatively in regards to my original art pricing structure. I was told (in my friends opinion), that I am charging too much for my original artwork. This critique of my pricing structure was then vindicated (also in their opinion) by pointing out to me another artist's website and his pricing structure. Although I value my friends opinion, we're not comparing prices between two, 1972 Ford Pintos. Art is very personal and subjective to each artist's love of their creation. An artist must decide a value for their creation and not base it on other artist's prices. Believe it or not, I don't create my original art to make money. My original art is inspired and that inspiration and creation is not based on financial gain. Its genesis is the love of creation and as such, I can't base my prices on other artists' pricing structures. Do I want to sell my art? Of course! However, its value is based on what my art means to me and not how it compares to other artists' work and the value they place on their work. 

For example, my original Prince drawing is currently priced at $11,000. This price was based on the fact that this is not only one of my favorite and most beautiful drawings, it is also based on what I was going through during that time of my life and the sadness I felt about the fact that we had recently lost one of the most talented and creative artists of my lifetime. All of this inspired this amazing drawing/tribute to Prince. Is it expensive? Yes, however, it is also priceless. I will never create another one like it. It’s value will not decrease, it will only increase. This drawing is an original, as was Prince. 

However, I still understand my friend's opinion and can relate to those who can't afford my originals. One of the first pieces of art I collected was a limited edition print of one of Tim Wistrom's paintings. Tim is an amazing painter, based in the Pacific Northwest (https://tim-wistrom-arts.mybigcommerce.com/). There was no way I could afford one of his originals, however, I did save my money and purchased one of his limited edition prints.

As a nod to the joy I received from his art (at a time in my life, when I could afford little) I offer limited edition giclée prints of my work. These prints are priced competitively and offer an opportunity to those who can't afford my original art.

My original pieces won't be created again and the part of me that created them will never be returned to me. Being the artist that created the original, it's my choice what to charge and not based upon the opinion of others. In contrast, the prices for my limited edition prints are based upon the competitive art market and the demand for the original piece of art I created, at a price, that is more affordable and is based upon what the market will bear. When you are purchasing art prints, you are not purchasing the original. As an incentive to create demand and to add value for the buyer, all of my prints are "limited edition prints" and after the original run of prints are sold, , they won't be produced again (i.e., when they’re gone, they’re gone) and their value will probably increase as well.

By the way...A few years ago, one of the original Batmobiles used by Adam West on the TV series, Batman! sold for $4.2 million. It reportedly cost George Barris $30,000 to make the original.

Getting It Right

I just completed my latest and maybe one of my greatest caricatures, Cheap Trick.

I started this caricature on May 9th 2021 and finished on May 10th of (a lot of work). My caricature of one of the greatest rock and roll bands in history (featuring guitarist, Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson) was created on 11" × 14" Canson Illustration board, with pen & ink and a slight wash. In case you noticed, I left out the drummer. This was on purpose, as a nod to drummer, Bun E. Carlos, who (unfortunately) no longer tours with the band. 

Why do I think this is one of my greatest caricatures? Well, there are several reasons...First off, I love the feel of the drawing, it has life. There's a dance (i.e., a liveliness to this drawing). Some drawings, although technically correct, are just drawings and nothing more...and kind of boring. I am not immune to creating boring drawings. I have created them and although I still have them, you probably won't see them (or at least, you've only seen them once). I like all of my creations, however some bring me joy and happiness, while others...well, meh. However, this little masterpiece is nothing but happiness. When I create a work of art that has life, I can usually tell long before I finish the drawing and when this happens, I get so immersed in the creative process, that I find it difficult to get up from the drawing table and do anything else in my life. When that type of drawing is completed (although it never really is), I can look back at the drawing and I can tell where my head was and what inspired the drawing. This doesn't necessarily mean, I was in a good place or a bad place, it just means I was at a place in my life that inspired me to create that drawing. Not only can joy inspire, any kind of emotion can inspire creation. This caricature was inspired by struggle and yet, this drawing makes me smile and brings me happiness. Another reason I love this drawing was that it was created with a pen, pen nibs, a paint brush and India ink. I consider this technique, the classic technique and I think the drawing reflects that classic look.

This drawing will soon be available at the Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store (https://michaelhopkinscaricatures.ecwid.com/) along with other inspired drawings. The original will be available for sale, along with prints. Please visit the Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store and if you have any questions concerning an original or print you're interested in, please contact me personally at scribblesisme@yahoo.com

I'm Going Slightly Mad

Random discussion between my left brain and my right brain (usually occurring around 3:30am while waiting for a 757 from Oakland to arrive)…

What the hell am I doing here!?!? There’s gotta be a better way to make a living than arriving for work at 3:00am, driving a *circa 1963, barely-idling, jerry rigged, obsessively bouncing, 4ft x 4ft box, attached to a 10,000 gallon tank of potentially flammable, aviation fuel!

*Note. Aforementioned vehicle, maintained, by in-house maintenance professional and Country Music Legend, Willie Nelson. Oh...wait a minute...maybe he's not Willie Nelson...

Oh, and you have a better place to be?

I AM AN ARTIST DAMMIT! I have much better places to be. My drawings have been displayed all over this world! My caricatures have captured the imagination of all who have seen them!

So what are you doing here?

I choose to be here, my good Sir! I chose to participate in the exciting world of aviation to cultivate and inspire ideas for my webcomic, “Missed Approach” See, through immersing myself in the aviation world, I become one, with the aviation community!

Not a bad idea...so how’s your webcomic, "Missed Approach” doing? 

Uhh...I haven't drawn a new one in about 2 years…

I’m going back to bed

Thank you folks! By the way, I just flew in from Reno/Tahoe International and boy are my arms tired!

Don't forget to tip your waitress on the way out!

On a more solemn note...let's, be kind to to the homeless man, in the pastel colored plaid shirt, on the street corner. He may be your former Operations Manager, who decided to give up his career, in his search for happiness.