So you want to commission a painting:

 

A commissioned painting makes a personal, unforgettable gift that is ideal for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Christmas or Chanukah, or to honor the memory of a cherished pet. I have painted countless portraits of dogs, living and not; I have also painted wedding portraits, portraits of children, cats, roosters, and horses, portraits of people with their favorite animals, with stuffed animals, and, once, with a gerbil.

 

Commissioning a painting is not scary and should not be an intimidating process. The most important thing is to be certain you like the style of the artist you are commissioning. I always let people know that when they commission me, my style will not suddenly become classical, photorealistic, or sentimental. It will be exactly what my paintings are: colorful, engaging, bright, and slightly irreverent. I work exclusively from photographs you supply, but the end result will be a portrait that is representational but in no way identical to the photograph.

 

How it works:

 

Decide on the subject or subjects of your portrait and what size you would like it to be (see cost). Are there certain colors you prefer or need left out due to where the painting will hang? In general you can guide the creation of the portrait as much as you like (I can even sketch out a composition and e-mail it to you for your approval), or you can take a hands-off approach and leave color choices and composition completely up to me. What I will need from you are photographs (generally two per subject, which you can e-mail or snail mail) and size requirements. We can communicate via e-mail or snail mail throughout the process if you like.

 

Time frames:

 

In general I need three weeks to complete a portrait, although during busy show season I may need a bit more time. I will never promise something I can't deliver, so let me know your time frame and I will work with you. Shipping generally takes anywhere from two to five days depending on where it is going, so we will need to figure that in as well. It is always best to get your requests in early.

 

Cost:

 

All commissioned paintings are framed just like the paintings in my booth (see picture to the right)). The frame is included in the cost of the painting. are by image size (the size of the actual painting before I frame it).

12x16  $395

20x24  $695

24x36 $995

36x48 $2500

 

Shipping:

 

I use a professional shipping company called Box-It that takes utmost care to protect the work. They are also the most cost-effective shipper in Chattanooga. The price of shipping large work can be high, depending on where the piece is going and whether unions are involved.  I am always happy to get you a shipping price before other decisions are finalized. Also, if I am coming to your part of the country for a show, I am happy to bring your painting with me at no extra cost to you.