Bespoke Commissions
Commissioning a unique artwork specifically to suit you and your space is a very special experience, and isn't just for high-level collectors. Perhaps there is a particular place that means a lot to you or your family that you would love a personal record of; or are intrigued by the creative process and would love to feel a little more involved.
I accept just one or two commissions a year. Here is how it works.
How to commission a painting
A commissioned painting begins with a friendly conversation. You tell me about the space, the colours you are drawn to, the size you need and the feeling you would like the painting to hold. I may ask you some other more personal questions too which give me a sense of you and who you are – it might be over zoom or even in person if you live locally to me – as that is lovely to connect into when I am painting. I take all that into the studio, and the painting grows from there, in my own style and with my full attention.
I accept only one or two commissions a year, so that I can give the commission the space it needs. If I not open to commissions I will of course let you know, and add you to the waiting list so you will be the first to know when commissions are available.
Why commission?
It is made for your space. Size, palette and mood are discussed with reference for palettes from existing works.
You know the painting's story. We talk at different stages so that you feel part of the process as the work develops. People often tell me that a painting feels different when they have been part of how it came about, and that it is the connection and experience, as much as the painting itself, that stays with them.
It is entirely one of a kind. There is no print and no repeat. It is a single original, made for you.
It can mark something. A new home, a milestone, a place that matters to you: a commissioning an artwork is a deeply personal experience.
You set the brief, and I bring the creative response. You give me the size, colour and a loose idea of style, and within that I have completely free artistic licence. This is how I always paint, intuitively and in response to the land, and it is where the strongest work comes from.
How it works
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Get in touch. Tell me the size you have in mind, the colours or mood you are drawn to, and where the painting will hang. Photographs of the room are helpful.
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A conversation and a quote. If the commission feels like the right fit, I will confirm that I can take it on. For serious enquiries I will send a quote, which depends on the size and the materials.
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Payment of 50% to begin. Once you are happy with the quote and we have spoken to ensure that we are on the same page, a 50% payment secures your commission and starts the work. This ensures that the finest materials are purchased and that the commission is prioritised.
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We confer along the way. I will share how the painting is developing and we will talk at different stages. Paintings often go through an ‘ugly stage’! So I reserve the right to not show the work in progress if I feel it is detrimental to the process!
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Completion. Depending on the size of the painting, a commission can take between two and three months. If you need something sooner, we can have a chat about it.
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Balance and delivery. The remaining 50% is due on completion and acceptance (via photographs of the piece), before the painting is packaged up and sent, or delivered in person.
Questions
Do you take commissions all year round? I only undertake 1 or 2 commissions a year – notifications go out to my email list, collectors and those on the waiting list first.
Can I ask you to paint what I want? Yes, within reason! As long as the work is in the style I paint I am happy to get a feel for what you want. You tell me the size, colour and style, and I will create the work. I have free artistic licence within your brief – this way the painting is more authentic and creative.
How much will it cost? The cost depends on the size and the materials. I send a quote to serious buyers, so you will know the price before you pay anything.
Do I have to pay anything upfront? 50% is payable upfront (to cover materials and to prioritise time spent on the commission), with the balance on completion/acceptance through photographs of the finished piece.
How long will it take? Between two to three months, depending on the size of the painting.
Why do you take so few commissions? Because I want each one to have my full attention and they are quite labour intensive, I take only one or two a year.
What if I change my mind and cancel? you will receive a refund, less the cost of materials. If you cancel, the artwork may be sold to someone else.
Who owns the copyright – can I make prints of my commissioned piece and sell them? I retain copyright in the painting. You own the original. You cannot make prints/merchandising from the artwork.
Do you work on other artworks at the same time? Yes. I find working on a couple of artworks simultaneously helps my creative process – with each painting feeding into the other.
What if you, the artist, cancels? I reserve the right to refuse a commission, or to cancel one at any time if I feel the process isn’t working. In which case, any payment you have made will be refunded (full terms will be discussed before the commission goes ahead).
Start a commission
If you would like to talk about a painting, get in touch with your ideas about size, colour and where it will live. You can also explore the original paintings to see the range of work a commission would sit within, or see if something already created catches your eye.