What I Love About Commissions

'Stormy Marsh'        18x24      pastel           sold

I love doing commissions!  Many artists don't like doing them and I have had a few crazy experiences. But the good far outweighs the bad.  In fact I have had some really interesting requests. My friends tell me I should be writing a book about each commission and the story behind it. Most of them have a good story!  This marsh pastel is my latest commission.  There really isn't crazy story behind it but it is one of my favorite commission experiences. The client had already commissioned a large pastel last year and finally was settled into their new home on a marsh and wanted another piece.  She sent me a wonderful photo of this storm over her marsh.  It was right up my alley. And best of all she told me to interpret it as I wanted.

study for stormy marsh   5x7

I always do a small study or two so we can discuss the colors and composition. I like to work out the details before I get started on the larger painting.  For Stormy Marsh I also did a 16x20 oil because I happened to have a lot of leftover paint one day and wanted to play with clouds.

16x20 oil study

So why do I love commissions?  I like to work with the people who are collecting my work. I love trying to capture their vision in my style. I like to opportunity to create something personal and meaningful for someone. I really don't mind making small changes and going back and forth with the client. It's part of the process. In the end I usually have made a new friend and grown as an artist as well.