FAQ's
Robin's FAQ's
Do you take Special Orders?
Yes, just follow the straight forward process and receive your archival piece of art that will bring you joy for many years to come.
1 - You choose the dimension of the piece which determines the price. Commissions are currently 90 cents a square inch.
2 - You choose the topic, colors, and personal details
3 - We reach an agreement on the vision for the work, A 50 % down-payment is due.
4 - I will email you an image of the finished artwork for your approval. Upon approval, final payment is made.
5 - I will ship the painting to you. The whole process takes around 2-6 weeks.
What are your paintings/collages made of?
I call them paintings and they are made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use Duck Tape?
No, it is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use leather?
No, it is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use wood?
No, it is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use wall paper?
No, it is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use Vinyl?
No, it is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use Postit Notes?
No, it is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use Gum Wrappers?
No, it is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use Ribbon?
No, it is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use Leather?
No, it is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
Do you use Bandaids?
No, and yes someone really asked this! It is all made with layers and layers of painted canvas.
What do you call your style of art?
Well, as someone who has had no formal training this is definitely a type of folk art. Since, in my humble opinion, all of the pieces are a bit more polished than the average folk art I like to call it "sophisticated folk". But if you have a better name for it please let me know.
Why no eyes?
I do not do eyes on my subjects because I feel it leaves more room for the individual viewer. To experience each of the pieces differently
Do you donate to charities?
Yes. As I am becoming a more well-known artist, I am regrettably unable to support all the causes that make requests.
Do you teach classes?
Not often, as a full-time artist there is little time to work and teach classes. And as everyone knows, good teaching takes lots of planning.
How can I find out when you will be in my area?
You can send me an email and I will add you to the mailing list.
How do you price your work?
All pricing is based upon a square inch formula. Most current work is 85 cents per square inch and all commission work is 85 cents a square inch.
What type of payments do you accept?
I can accept personal checks, cash, VISA, Master Card, American Express, Venmo, Discover & PayPal.
Do you ship your work?
Yes
I want to give your art as a present but am not sure what to do?
I am more than happy to talk to you and help you decide but I also have gift certificates available if you would prefer.
Are your paintings framed?
No, my paintings are gallery wrapped which means the edges are painted canvas and are ready to hang on the wall. Most people leave them this way but a few choose to have them framed.
Do you accept Lay away ?
Yes I can work out a lay away or payment plan if you see a piece you have to have and do not want it to go to another home.
How do you find your galleries?
I find art galleries to carry my work in a variety of ways. One of the best strategies is to personally visit the gallery to see if my art fits in with the gallery style wise. Another strategy that has been successful is to have friends, family and patrons make recommendations. I am always looking for new venues to display my work so if you have a recommendation I welcome it.
What have you done to ensure the quality of the work?
All of the materials: canvas, paint, adhesive, and varnish are of the highest archival rating available. However you should protect the paintings from both heat and humidity as these can damage my work if exposed of a prolonged period of time.
Stan's FAQ's
What do you call your style of art?
Since I make my art from clay I am called a potter. Most of my pieces are hand built meaning that they are made with my hands not thrown on the potters wheel. Each of my birds is carved from a solid chunk of clay.
What is wedging?
The first step in making something from clay is wedging. This is a process that removes air bubbles from the clay.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I have a Brent potters wheel. It operates with a foot peddle. All thrown pieces are made on the potters wheel. A clay extruder may be thought of as a large hopper with a press and multiple dies. Its a simple device which is used to press clay into various shapes. The piece of equipment most frequently used in my work is a slab roller. This machine is used to make a slab as thick or as thin as I want. The clay is put between two pieces of canvas and forced through a pair of rollers. Slabs are used to make fish plates, vases, ornaments, ikebana, etc
Is it hard to learn how to use a potters wheel?
Getting on a potters wheel takes some practice. But once you learn the basic concepts of centering your clay and pulling a piece, its like riding a bike, you dont forget how.
Do you cook the clay?
No, it is called firing. I have two kilns. The largest is an electric Skutt, it is used to bisque all pieces and fire the earthenware and stoneware pieces. The gas fired kiln located outside is used to fire raku pieces.
What does bisque mean?
Upon completion, everything must be completely dry before it goes into the first firing, or the bisque firing. When completely bone dry, clay pieces are referred to as green ware. Green ware is incredibly delicate because it is essentially shaped dirt. The purpose of the bisque firing is to strengthen the pieces so that they may be handled for glazing.
What is Raku?
Raku firing began in Japan over 350 years ago. The Raku process involves taking a piece of ceramic pottery that has been bisque fired and glazed then firing it in a raku kiln which is fueled by propane. When the temperature reaches about 1800 degrees F the piece is pulled out of the kiln with long metal tongs. While it is still red hot the pottery is placed in a reduction chamber containing newspaper. Smoke is created which reacts with the glaze producing a metallic finish and leaving the unglazed portion black. Please note that raku is not food safe nor is it intended to hold liquid.
What is stoneware?
Pottery fired at a high temperature (about 2,200 F, or 1,200 C) until vitrified (made glasslike and impervious to liquid) is stoneware.
Can my pottery be left outside?
Yes and NO! Your stoneware pieces can. They are also food, dishwasher and oven safe. Your Raku pottery cannot. It will not withstand freezing temperatures.
Do you donate to charities?
Yes. However, as build a name for myself, I am regrettably unable to support all the causes that make requests.
Do you teach classes?
I am an elementary art teacher. I like to leave the classroom at school and make my own art at the studio. So no, I do not teach pottery classes at this time.
How can I find out when you will be in my area?
You can send me an email and I will add you to the mailing list, or check back on the website under the news section.
What type of payments do you accept?
I accept personal checks, cash, VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. My wife says, Take the money.
Do you ship your work?
Yes. Please add 15% for shipping.
I want to give your art as a present but am not sure what to do?
We can talk and try to figure out what might work or End of the Road Studios has gift certificates available.