Starr Struck
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • FAQs
    • Press
  • ART + DESIGN
    • Design Studio
    • Art Studio
  • YOGA
    • Class Schedule
    • Audio Yoga Classes
    • eBook for Yoga Teachers
    • Playlists
  • CONSULTING
  • SHOP
  • PODCASTS
    • Starr Struck Radio
    • Built on Cape Cod
  • CONTACT

Just Picture It: Commissioning a Painting

5/2/2013

 
Picture
Christmas present for Navy Officer.
Picture
Illustration for promo materials.
Unlike many artists, I actually LOVE doing commissions (commissions = art created on behalf of someone else, or "on order"). As I mentioned in a post earlier this spring, I enjoy commissions because they give me a chance to help someone bring their vision or idea to life. I get to work with an individual to learn exactly what they want, and am then challenged to create what they may not be able to create themselves--a work of art that meets their desires and hopefully, looks better than what they had imagined in their head--it's so fun! 

So, with that, I wanted to tell you a little bit about commissions today. I promise, this isn't just a shameless plug (it kind of is, but really, it isn't!), as I want to encourage you--and everyone else out there in internet-land--that buying and commissioning art is a worthwhile endeavor. With the amazing accessibility and reach of Etsy, blogs, and websites, commissioning a painting by an artist that you like or admire is easier than ever these days, and often, the prices are very reasonable and the quality of the work very high. 

Not sure how to commission a painting or even what you would commission? Here are some ideas from past commissions that I've done:

WEDDING GIFTS
Picture
Place where he proposed.
Picture
Bridal bouquet.
Picture
Not a commission, but something I made as a gift for our parents at our wedding. Used pieces of our invitation, quotes from ceremony, and an illustration from the programs.
Picture
Personalized bridesmaid gift for a bridesmaid who teaches yoga in a beachy place ;)
Picture
Bridal bouquet.
Picture
Wild horses on island where couple was married.
HOLIDAY/SPECIAL EVENTS OR BIRTHDAY GIFTS
Picture
Birthday/Mother's Day gift.
Picture
Birthday gift for roomate (this is the person's dog!).
Picture
Birthday gift for husband.
Picture
Birthday gift for Ben (obviously).
Picture
Christmas gift for wife--a yoga teacher.
Picture
Christmas gift for my parents (our dog who passed away).
Picture
Anniversary gift for girlfriend.
Picture
New baby gift for husband--this is where they lived when they first moved to DC.
LOGO DESIGN, LETTERING, OR PERSONALIZED "ART QUOTE"
Picture
Blog header for blog redesign (also created other design elements, not shown here).
Picture
Blog header/business logo.
Picture
T-shirt design...
Picture
Final product on t-shirt.
Picture
Promo material painting--final material above.
Picture
Tranquil Space Dedication painting.
TO PERSONALIZE YOUR HOME
Picture
Commissioner grew up in Hawaii--a way to bring Hawaii into her home here in VA.
Picture
Same Commissioner, another way to commemorate where she was born.
Picture
Picture
New baby's nursery decorations-5 paintings.
Picture
Picture
Picture
OUTDOOR SIGNAGE
(What I spent last Thursday doing!)
BEFORE
Picture
Picture
AFTER
Picture
Picture
Picture
See how much you can do by commissioning an artist? Isn't it fun and versatile? 

Here are the typical steps for commissioning a painting:
  1. Reach out to the artist and ask if they're currently taking commissions (if it isn't posted somewhere on their website or blog).
  2. If they are, tell them what you want--materials (if you know), approximate size, timeline, vision (and if you have it, a price-range). Ask if they're interested and if so, ask for a price estimate.
  3. The artist should get back to you with a price-list or cost estimate. If they don't, please ask for one ensure they won't go over! The price could skyrocket during the creation process, so ensure that you have a clear understanding of how the pricing/payment structure works before agreeing to a commission.
  4. Some artists will ask for a "downpayment" or "deposit" for materials before starting, others will just send an invoice at the end. 
  5. The artist should send images along the way, so that you can provide input and give them feedback. Remember that although they're an artist and may have a vision, you also want to be in love with the final product since you are paying for it. Don't be afraid to speak up if you're not happy with something in the painting--almost everything can be tweaked :)
I hope this helps! Do keep in mind that not all artists do commissions, as it's a very personal preference (not everyone loves them as much as I do, haha!). 

I'm currently working on a moving gift for a fiance, a wedding gift from the bride to the groom, a 30th birthday present for a close friend, and a logo--each project is extremely different and thus, keeps me fresh and challenged, which I adore :) I hope to have time to do more work like this starting in June, when my schedule frees up a bit (!). 

Want more info about commissions? Contact me for pricing--I'm up for anything and I promise, my prices are very reasonable and I'm able to work with almost any budget.  

Now off to enjoy my painting day...

Namaste!
Mary Catherine
Kelly link
5/2/2013 06:07:03 am

loved how you shared the process on how to commision a painting! and if anyone is trying to decide to commission a painting, DO it! You made the process so easy and FUN that now I'm trying to find other things I can commission youfor (love the idea of doing them for gifts!)


Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Picture

    HELLO!

    I'm Mary Catherine, a Cape Cod-based yoga teacher, painter, designer, writer, mom, and list-maker extraordinaire. My goal is to inspire you to start living a more creative, simple, joyful, + purposeful life. 
    {Learn more + read my story}
    Picture


    FOLLOW


    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    NEW READER?

    START HERE
    Picture

    HOW TO EARN A LIVING TEACHING YOGA eBOOK


    Picture
    Picture

    THE PODCAST


    Picture
    Picture

    REGULAR COLUMNS


    Audio Yoga Classes
    L​ove This! 
    Mat Matters
    ​
    Motherhood Monthly
    Reading Lists {Seasonal}
    Simple Joys of the Week 
    ​
    Simply Sugarless
    Starr Struck Radio
    Picture

    RECEIVE VIA EMAIL

    NEWSLETTER
    BLOG POSTS
    Picture

    RECENT INSTAS


    Picture

    VISIT MY ETSY SHOP


    Picture

    TOPICS



    A Dress a Day
    Art 
    Blogging
    Book Recommendations
    Clean Creations
    Creativity + DIY
    Etsy Collections
    From the Archives​
    Healthy Lifestyle
    ​Home Improvement
    Life Lessons
    ​Logo Design
    Malebox
    ​
    Motherhood
    Music
    Paintings + Process
    ​Parenting
    Personal Essays
    ​Pregnancy
    Recipes
    Relationships
    Sayde Sundays
    Self-Employment
    Slowing Down
    Snapshots
    Teaching Yoga
    Weddings
    Yoga
    Picture

    JOIN ME


    Retreats
    Workshops
    Podcasts
    eBook
    Consult
    Yoga Videos
    Yoga Class Schedule

WANT MORE STARR STRUCK? Sign up to receive my monthly newsletter + receive a *free* download of my eBook Out of My Mind: Six Years of Starr Struck {A Collection of my favorite blog posts from over the years}:


DISCLOSURE

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. From time to time, I accept compensation for sponsored posts and campaigns. However, any sponsored content will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored. Even though I receive compensation for sponsored posts, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. 

I am also a  participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • FAQs
    • Press
  • ART + DESIGN
    • Design Studio
    • Art Studio
  • YOGA
    • Class Schedule
    • Audio Yoga Classes
    • eBook for Yoga Teachers
    • Playlists
  • CONSULTING
  • SHOP
  • PODCASTS
    • Starr Struck Radio
    • Built on Cape Cod
  • CONTACT