Over the many years I’ve spent as both an artist and an art instructor, I’ve heard my fair share of clients tell me that my workshops and fees are too expensive. It never fails to surprise me because I offer a wide range of products and services across the pricing spectrum. I’m always trying to ensure there’s something for everyone. But as the old saying goes, “If you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one.”
After over 35 years of teaching and being a professional artist, I believe my pricing is pretty spot on for the value I deliver. That’s not to say I haven’t made mistakes—I’ve definitely undercharged (and occasionally overcharged) at times. But a lot of this comes down to learning through experience and adjusting as needed.
For instance, I recently ran a workshop for the first time. I accounted for materials, space, and tools, but time was a bit of an unknown. What takes me 30 minutes might take someone else 3 hours. That’s just experience—after all these years, I know how long something will take to dry, cure, or be carved, cast, or engraved. I manage my time accordingly, moving between tasks while waiting for materials to set.
The clients in that workshop were new to the process. It took them longer to come up with creative ideas, and there were distractions—phone calls, a shiny object on the wall, casual chats—all things that are hard to account for when planning a class. What should have been a 3-hour workshop stretched to 5 hours, and my hourly profit was cut in half. Now, that’s not the clients’ fault—that’s on me. And that’s where I differ from other art studios.
Whether for better or worse, I rarely push someone out if they’re running long in a workshop. Many people are just learning these mediums for the first time, so naturally, they’re going to take longer than someone experienced. This approach has built me a loyal customer base, because people recognize I’m not just here to make a buck—I’m here to genuinely help them learn.
So, back to the original point—if you think my classes are too expensive, then Infinite Arts Studio might not be for you. If we’re out of your budget, I suggest heading to a Paint n Sip venue. They offer paint-by-numbers sessions, a little wine, and a painting that, let’s be honest, most people toss in the back of a closet within six months.
At Infinite Arts Studio, you’re not just paying for a workshop. You’re paying for decades of experience, guidance, and expertise that you can tap into at any time. I’ve had clients tell me they learned more from me in 30 minutes than they did in a 3-hour workshop elsewhere.
You’re also paying for a purpose-built space with everything you need to create whatever you can dream up. I recently had a client who said on her first day, “I want to make a 6-foot-tall dandelion.” You should have seen her face when I said, “Okay,” and again when she left the studio with her 6-foot-tall dandelion in hand.
Yes, we are more expensive compared to other studios, because we offer far more. Whether you want to paint, draw an alien riding a water buffalo through a field of purple poppies, sculpt a full set of foam samurai armor, or make a resin river table—it’s all possible here.
So, are we expensive? Compared to places that offer 1 or 2 mediums with limited options, sure. But if you want to work in a space designed for artists, where you can learn to master multiple mediums and grow your confidence, creativity, problem-solving skills, and imagination—then there’s no place better than Infinite Arts Studio.
