Sometimes is simply supply versus demand. If there is a high demand for an artist, then they can raise their prices to try to limit the demand to a point where they can actually do the number of badge or commission requests that they are offered. I have actually paid $30 for Dark Natasha badges but even without color they have a lot of detail. She could probably raise her prices more since she tends to sell out within the first few minutes of the dealer's room opening.

In general, though, I tend to look for the artists that are not "discovered" or popular yet since there are many relatively unknown artists that can draw just as well as anyone else. Plus they usually can use the money more anyway since they are trying to get started.

What it comes down to is you have to buy what makes you happy. If spending nearly $40 for a badge from someone you really love, then go for it. If you don't care who the artist is and you just want a badge of your character, then shop around the artist alley.

Dark Natasha is very fair - she has never raised her prices to her fans, never compromised on quality, and never takes more commissions than she can complete. (Not to mention both DN - and her Mom - are both very charming people.) $30 is a great price when you consider her badge sized original art sells for considerably more.

Yes supply and demand. One thing that I never really understood about furry is why anyone would be willing to live like a hobo just so they can get a drawing from one of the current popular artists.

I dunno. How much do you charge?

While I may buy original art I don't go for commissions. I was very lucky early and have some nice art but my later experiences weren't good.

Now I generally want something that is the artist's specialty rather than a character drawing. I've also not restricted myself to the fandom but as Provo says the fandom is very reasonably priced for many talented but lesser known artists.

Yes I too have been having some horrible times with commissions, which is pushing me towards no longer bothering with such. Just seems so much more practical to simply "collect" art on sofurry or here FA. Just dont understand the fanboy thing not at all that brings people to conventions wearing "rags" yet dropping large amounts of money on art.

And yes I do try to focus on the unknown artist but the practice of demanding payment in advance makes me very nervous.

Im curious what sort of art you have gotten/liked outside the fandom.

My in-laws in Yellowknife gave me some nice inuit art of wolves. There isn't a lot of inuit wolf art (I still regret not buying a whale bone sculpture of a wolf pack and that was thirty years ago - although it was more than I could afford back then).

Michael's niece is dating an artist in Georgia that is quite talented. He has sent up a painting as a gift - I haven't seen it yet. I think he had a dream about a wolf when he was painting it for us and it may have ended up in his art.

I'm haunting some of the chinese art sites - I may get a duplicate - a canvas giclee - of a gallery painting I like through their Canadian agent for my wine room in the basement. You can get any art copied into a canvas giclee in China quite cheaply. They can take a photo and turn it into a painting if you want. I'll let you know the result when I do it.

Right now we are investigating some local artists including some that work in wood and stained glass.

while we travel we shop as well. We have a few paintings and decorative items as well.

I will never pay a commission in advance. Star/Kannos never delivered on a paid commission - and I am only one of a large number of people she cheated.

You have been holding out on me hmm? How come I have yet to see any pictures of this canine art your hiding away?:>

Those Chinese sites are not bothered by such things as copy right Im guessing lol! Im terrible with knowing if art is priced right its hard for me to judge value.

So how do you handle commissions then Im curious.