Hi, Terri,
Let me play devil's advocate, as I have some experience with commission work and my whole art career is based on collectors. So please forgive me if I ask what seem like elementary questions.
First thought: If I didn't have to sell my art work, I would still make my art because it is who I am. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to sell it. And generally, if someone wants to commission something, it's because they already know the sort of work I do so it is right in line. BUT, if the client is a jerk, I run in the opposite direction as fast as I can. Getting involved with a whacko or problematic client is the fastest way to begin to resent ones hobby/art. I have learned that the hard way. Not to sound jaded but, to you a build is a reflection of who you are, to them it is a commodity.
Having someone ask to commission a piece, or two, is a huge compliment to your skills as a hobby-artist. So congratulations for that. But, accept the compliment and then ask yourself, "do I need to build these helos for this gent?"
Continuing the devil's advocate theme......we know from your Cobra Gunship that you like doing Helos, but, do you like doing helos enough that you want to do two more and two which will not then sit on your shelf next to your great S-S, etc.? Would you rather be building a Pfalz and then do another helo for yourself when you get the urge to? Is it worth the time away from building what you really want to be building? Is this gent going to pay you enough to make up for that time and, more importantly, enough to be worthy of your level of artistry? A lot of people assume that since we build models for the love it, we'd just as soon build them for anyone....
Please don't think that I am a greedy New Yorker. If anything, I am far too generous in my pricing. But, long ago, I did quite a lot of aircraft model building commission work and it really took the joy out of the hobby for me. Interestingly, I ended up doing architectural model building as a job and that was a blast.....because it was interesting and challenging and improved my skills....and it had nothing to do with subjects I loved. That ended up being a huge difference.
OK...this is turning into a sermon but I have just been dealing with a young friend who was in this exact same position and came away very sad. I would hate for that to happen to you. Your energy is a light on this site and I know the gang would be sad for that light to be dimmed in any way.
BUT..on the other hand, if you think you'd get a kick out of building the kits for the gent and you feel it would be worth the time taken, then, by all means, go for it! Just show us pictures when you're finished.
Go, the mass is ended.
Cheers from NYC,
Father Michael...who's really a Protestant.
