commissioning art work

I paint commissions no matter how big or small.  

Commissions are an integral part of my art business.

They keep coming (Thank you. More please!)

I realize that while many people contact me, there are few who know anything about commissions. It can be an intimidating process.

I thought I'd share a little bit of this process right here.

When a client contacts me for a commission, he or she is usually pretty familiar with my work because they have either seen it "out there" in the world or they have perused my online galleries.  This is the point when they usually contact me via email and we begin a conversation.

Price is the first question that usually needs to be answered.  I have a sample of prices below.  We also discuss the subject (the client usually has a digital image - or several - for reference) and what type of size, style, colors they are interested in having me use.

Size is usually the easiest question to answer for every client.  The others aren't so much.

STYLE: It's especially helpful if the client is able to identify at least 5 pieces of my work that speak to them and why.  This prompts the conversation that consists in discovering more details.

COLOR: If the client is able to send me digital images of where they plan to hang the commission in their home, this is extremely helpful.  When clients are able to do this, sometimes we're both lucky enough to find that the house (or space) looks like it was built around the painting.  If you are local and live in the Twin Cities, you can see a public example of this at Mill Valley Kitchen where Mill Valley Gal ordains their wall.

To get an idea of perspective, here is Mill Valley Gal 

before she was delivered, in my work space

If a client doesn't feel comfortable sending an image or has no idea where the piece will hang, it is best for them, once again, to find a collection of colors from my work that speak to them (sending other visual images that contain their color interests works well too).

Once all of the above items are discussed, a time line is agreed upon, a simple contract is signed and a 25% deposit is made.  Once this process has been completed, I start to paint!

Commissioning an artist is risky business (more so emotionally than anything else) for both the artist and the client.  I won't deny it can be scary.  It can be such a rewarding process, though, if both parties can give it time to live and breathe.

If you think you may be interested in commissioning a piece of my work, please feel free to contact me anytime (commitment-free!) with further questions.  I'd love to speak with you.

Some examples of pricing and some popular sizes are:


 8 X 10 ::::::::::::::::::::::::: 350.

11 X 14::::::::::::::::::::::::: 575.

16 X 20::::::::::::::::::::::::: 900.

24 X 24::::::::::::::::::::::: 1450.


prices reflect art on stretched canvas or panel

commissions on paper start at 150.
please ask for specific pricing regarding a specific size.