How To Commission Custom Art
I love doing custom pieces for people who enjoy my style but want something a little more personalized. I have created paintings that range in style from a "queer, jewish, Ska-loving, Keith Haring fan, Day of the Dead chihuahua" to a stylized pink breast-cancer survivor ribbon with butterfly wings. No matter what you want, your painting will be created with the same collaborative conversation, care and personal attention. You can see all of my work on Facebook, and you can see the steps as each piece progressed here.
I create in two distinct styles, the most well-known/recognizable is my pyrography (woodburning) with layered glazes on wood panels/boxes for a 3D and almost stained glass effect. I also create mixed media on canvas-board in soft pastels.
I create in two distinct styles, the most well-known/recognizable is my pyrography (woodburning) with layered glazes on wood panels/boxes for a 3D and almost stained glass effect. I also create mixed media on canvas-board in soft pastels.
The Process
Idea. A custom painting starts with your idea. We will have an e-mail conversations about what existing pieces you like, and I will ask them to choose a few that exemplify the colors and style you would like to see reflected want in your piece. These conversations will help develop your idea, and let us both know if my style is a good match for your idea. (I do not provide sketches at this stage of the process.)
Payment. Once the idea has been decided on, you hire me by paying the 50% deposit to begin work (I will send a PayPal invoice or create a custom listing online) and making payment (see "prices" below).
Provide all info. If a pet portrait has been commissioned, you will provide me with high quality photographs via e-mail (facebook links are not acceptable).
Work. After we have completed the items above, I begin work. "Work," means any tangible work product, including but not limited to color studies, idea sketches and any drawing or painting on the chosen canvas type. I always keep my clients updated on the progress of their peice. I like to post my work in progress on social networking sites, so if the painting is a gift that needs to be a surprise, let me know in advance.
Contact me for more information by using my contact form. You can also get some ideas on my Flickr page and from my Facebook fan page (Facebook is most current).
Payment. Once the idea has been decided on, you hire me by paying the 50% deposit to begin work (I will send a PayPal invoice or create a custom listing online) and making payment (see "prices" below).
Provide all info. If a pet portrait has been commissioned, you will provide me with high quality photographs via e-mail (facebook links are not acceptable).
Work. After we have completed the items above, I begin work. "Work," means any tangible work product, including but not limited to color studies, idea sketches and any drawing or painting on the chosen canvas type. I always keep my clients updated on the progress of their peice. I like to post my work in progress on social networking sites, so if the painting is a gift that needs to be a surprise, let me know in advance.
Contact me for more information by using my contact form. You can also get some ideas on my Flickr page and from my Facebook fan page (Facebook is most current).
Acrylics on Wood
SERVICES INCLUDED:
PRICES effective August 1, 2012:
A minimum 50% deposit is required in order to begin work
8x10 - $125
9x12 - $150 most popular commission size
11x14 - $200
12x16 - $245
16x20 - $295
18x24 - $525
additional sizes and shapes available upon request
- personal consultation via e-mails or phone calls to help develop your ideas
- preliminary idea sketches for review and approval (these pieces are part of my sketch books and remain in my possession at the end of the project)
- cradled hardwood artist panel (will not warp over time)
- a hand-created mixed-media and pyrography (wood burned) piece with translucent layers of acrylic glazing on wood. Your piece will be intricately layered using high quality artist acrylics, archival elements and a UV protective sealant to keep your art vibrant for years to come.
PRICES effective August 1, 2012:
A minimum 50% deposit is required in order to begin work
8x10 - $125
9x12 - $150 most popular commission size
11x14 - $200
12x16 - $245
16x20 - $295
18x24 - $525
additional sizes and shapes available upon request
Trinket & Ring Boxes
Trinket Boxes:
Prices range from $30 to $150, and I have a variety of sizes, including tiny ring, large keepsake boxes, and just about everything in between. If I don't have it in stock, I can probably order it for you. Go ahead and ask! Did you see a box on Facebook and want the same size or design? Just send me a link to the one you liked (and it is totally OK to want one design on a different size or style).
Prices range from $30 to $150, and I have a variety of sizes, including tiny ring, large keepsake boxes, and just about everything in between. If I don't have it in stock, I can probably order it for you. Go ahead and ask! Did you see a box on Facebook and want the same size or design? Just send me a link to the one you liked (and it is totally OK to want one design on a different size or style).
Pet Portraits (or other subjects) on Mixed Media Canvas Panels
Your mixed-media and pastel painting includes includes:
PRICES effective October 1, 2013:
A minimum 50% deposit is required in order to begin work
8x10 - $95
11x14 - $120
12x16 - $150
additional sizes and shapes available upon request
- One central image in soft artist pastels (additional animals/images may incur extra charge)
- Decorative and textured background in your choice of color(s)
- Images incorporated into the background
- UV protective sealant to preserve your original artwork
- All related consulting time.
PRICES effective October 1, 2013:
A minimum 50% deposit is required in order to begin work
8x10 - $95
11x14 - $120
12x16 - $150
additional sizes and shapes available upon request
Payment, Additional Charges, Taxes & Shipping Note
- complex or very detailed decorative images may incur an additional costs
- other sizes and substrates may be available on occasion at slightly different prices
- 50% deposit required in order to begin work (non-refundable once work begins)
- Shipping, insurance and California sales tax (CA residents only) are not included in the commission price.
Production and Turnaround Times
Acrylic glazes/pyrography on wood
Turnaround time for acrylic on wood paintings varies based on size, complexity and weather (glaze dries faster in the 100 degree Central California summers than it does in our damp, cool winters!) Expect an average production time of 4-6 weeks from receipt of acceptable photographs, project requirements and payment. HOWEVER, please note that turnaround time automatically doubles in the fall and winter months when the layers of glaze dry slowly. If you have a deadline, let me know in advance and I will determine if it is possible for me to meet it.
Mixed-media canvas panels
Turnaround time is usually 2-6 weeks from receipt of acceptable photographs, project requirements and payment.
NOTE: PRODUCTION TIME DOES NOT START UNTIL ALL IMAGES, REQUIREMENTS AND DEPOSITS ARE MADE.
Turnaround time for acrylic on wood paintings varies based on size, complexity and weather (glaze dries faster in the 100 degree Central California summers than it does in our damp, cool winters!) Expect an average production time of 4-6 weeks from receipt of acceptable photographs, project requirements and payment. HOWEVER, please note that turnaround time automatically doubles in the fall and winter months when the layers of glaze dry slowly. If you have a deadline, let me know in advance and I will determine if it is possible for me to meet it.
Mixed-media canvas panels
Turnaround time is usually 2-6 weeks from receipt of acceptable photographs, project requirements and payment.
NOTE: PRODUCTION TIME DOES NOT START UNTIL ALL IMAGES, REQUIREMENTS AND DEPOSITS ARE MADE.
Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights Notice
The purchase of a painting does not give the purchaser any rights to reproduce the image or use it in any way other than as intended (personal wall art). All rights to use or sell photographs, copies or reproductions of the image, including anything incorporating copies of the image, remain with the artist per US Copyright law. Reproduction of the image for any purpose without prior written permission of artist is forbidden. You are free to gift or resell only the original piece of art.