Commissions - Portraits + Bespoke Art
“I’m interested. How do I commission art?”
I’m glad you asked! This page is for you.
A Portrait
Portrait commissions can be negotiated without a representative.
Contact me for general portrait information including the pricing structure.
Next, we talk over the phone, Zoom or in person about your idea (size, budget, how formal or informal).
After our initial conversation, you’ll have time to think about the composition options and your budget for the art.
With the photo references or first live sitting and the artistic scope of the project decided, we formalize the agreement.
Based upon our communications, we agree upon a contract that we both sign. The contract will include details about your expectations. We can write in some details as variables (e.g. “a head and shoulders portrait between 16×20 inches and 24×30 inches”) if we want room to be imprecise about aspects that won’t affect the budget.
You’ll pay 35% of the total price at this time (a defined, non-refundable retainer is included in the first payment to protect a small portion of my time and expense already dedicated to your artpiece).
I stay in contact with you as the painting progresses. When it is complete and approved (but still too wet to ship), a second 35% of the total is due.
Finally, after the painting is sufficiently dried and ready to be delivered, we wrap up the project! The final payment is due and the shipping is paid separately as needed.
If you want pricing structures for a portrait of a person, please click here.
Other Commissions
Sometimes someone will fall in love with a piece only to find that it is already sold! I have painted pieces that are similar to a sold piece and given the interested collector first opportunity to buy the new work.
Some pieces are by request. For example, I have had numerous requests for peony paintings or paintings of a general subject and particular size to compliment a previous purchase.
Sometimes I am given objects to use in a painting or asked to paint a certain view or setting. One landscape request was for a wedding gift. I was asked to paint the harbor where the couple had gotten officially engaged and had made memories together.
If the subject you have in mind is in keeping with my style-I’ll gladly consider it! I may ask for part of the cost up front, but otherwise these pieces are treated more like a standard art purchase than a portrait commission.
Interested? Commissions of landscape and still life subjects are priced differently, Just ask! To talk about a commissioned subject or painting series Click Here to Contact Me
A Portrait with a representative
The Grand Rapids Catholic Diocese works with art liaisons that negotiate ideas and find artists for projects. Their designer contacted an art specialist, Art Endeavors. The art specialist had seen my work previously and knew that I’d be able to paint a portrait of the retiring bishop that would display well with the portraits of previous bishops.
Brenda, owner of Art Endeavors, scheduled a meeting with the bishop and staff that would be participating in the project. Brenda and I met together beforehand to be sure that we understood what information the diocese would be needing from us to move the project forward. We brought a contract that explained what I’d be offering, how much time it would take, and how many sittings I’d need or want, and where we would meet. Then we moved on to ideas about the specific painting. How large should it be? Where would it be hanging? What vestments would Bishop wear? Could I paint his insignia in a top corner?
In this instance, the art representative did the arrangements and set up the meetings and took care of the paperwork. I asked Bishop Hurley if he could sit for a two or three hour photo session and composition set up. Then I asked him to come two more times for approximately two hours each, for refining the painting from life. In one photo, you can see that I had a green drapery. I didn’t care for it, so I painted it out and put his insignia in that corner instead. Throughout the process, I sent Brenda images of the work. We also started talking about the budget for the frame. The diocese wanted a well-made frame that would fit in with the building, the portrait, and the other artwork. I sent them pictures of frame moldings that I suggested, along with the time and cost estimates, and the diocese chose one and I ordered it. The diocese exhibited the painting in a substitute frame and then had the custom frame put on at a local framing gallery and hung. I varnished the painting on location three to six months later, and after waiting a day, they rehung the painting and the project was officially finished.
For more pricing and process details Click Here.
