A perfectly reasonable request
The motorcycle began as a customer's request. The finished piece is roughly the size of an A3 sheet and built from layers of wood.
Nearly three days went into cutting, aligning and gluing the pieces. Wheels, engine, panniers, fairings and outlines occupy different physical planes. The shadow wasn't drawn: it appears because there's wood on top of wood on top of more wood.
The price for the complete job was 65 euros.
When the customer saw the finished piece and heard the price, the response was:
“That's all?????”
Apparently, at that moment, the only person involved who still hadn't noticed the miscalculation was the one who'd built it.
Financial examination of the disaster
If three days meant just 18 actual working hours, that comes to around 3.61 euros an hour.
Before deducting:
- wood;
- glue;
- electricity;
- laser wear;
- tests;
- finishing;
- preparation time;
- and the small matter of aligning layers without starting arguments with inanimate objects.
At 24 actual hours, it falls to around 2.71 euros an hour. Beyond that, the piece probably starts paying for the privilege of existing.
The price was experimental too
This was — and remains — a hobby. Many pieces were ways to learn, test limits and gradually fund the machine. They didn't all begin with a spreadsheet beside them.
The motorcycle proved it was possible to build a complex image across several levels, preserve fine detail and turn an illustration into a piece with real volume.
It also proved that “what do I think someone will pay?” and “what does it actually cost to make?” are dangerously different questions.
It wasn't just a cheap commission. It was intensive training in layered work, with the tuition fees paid backwards.
Layers, three days, 65 euros and a lesson glued in place forever.