Commissions - when and how to order?
I typically open commissions three times a year. If you can, at the start of the year, think about the holidays/birthdays/etc and the family/friends/etc that you will want to order art for, and plan for the following opening days!
- March 1 for May-Aug spots
- July 1 for Sept-Dec spots
- Nov 1 for Jan-April spots
With that said, if you have a situation pop up where you commission a piece that will need completed within a few weeks or so, please do still reach out via email. I will assess my workload to see if I can accommodate. If not, I can try and refer you to a fellow artist!
Next, let’s talk about how long it takes me to paint commissions. I always tell people, painting a 6x6 pet portrait clearly takes FAR less time than painting a 30x40 commission. Seems obvious, right? But it’s not all about size, it’s about detail too. Does the painting have a lot of small details? Will it require more layers that usual? Is it out of my typical art spectrum? These all come into play when estimating the time it takes for completion.
Another question I get is “do you charge by the hour?” I do not! I charge based on what the painting is, the size, and the skill it takes to complete it. I can paint certain things in much less time that others, and that is fully due to the fact that I have painted a certain subject over and over. Compare it to playing a song on the piano. You learn a song, keep playing it, keep practicing, then can eventually play it without hesitation. Painting works the same way. Some paintings take me 30 minutes while others take me days. So if people ask why I charge a certain amount, my answer is always ‘because you compensate for the skill and ability for me to paint your commission without regard to the time it takes. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy!’
Taking pet portrait photos for me to use
TIMING: The best time to take a photo is when your fur baby is a little tired so they aren’t tempted to move/run/play. Before they are about to go down for a nap or after a wild playtime, try to snag their attention for a photo sesh.
LIGHTING: The best option would be outside on a partially cloudy day. Second best option would be indoors near a window. Have them sit in front of you and use treats as bribery for a bright eyed-bushy tail look!
ANGLE: Stand about 3 feet away. Bend down so that your phone is level with your pet’s face. Hold steady and take a few photos, ensuring they are bright and clear. You can even use iPhone’s portrait mode if you find it easier to get clear photos that way!
Once you have a few good ones, send them my way and I will let you know if they work or if I will need more. I typically ask for a few because I like to study the pet’s features to ensure I get them as accurate as possible on the painting!
caring for your painted glass
First off, I am so glad you have one of my painted glass frames! When/if you dust your frame, use a soft rag or paper towel. Do not spray cleaner or any solution onto the painted part of the frame. The paint is sealed, but spraying anything on it MAY make it chip, and we surely dont want that!
Ahh, framing - one of my favorite things to talk about! Frames can make a HUGE difference in a painting. Some canvases are truly perfect without a frame, but it all depends on the look you’re going for!
When thinking about framing, consider the subject of the painting. And it truly comes down to client preference. Do you have a color you want to accent with? Perhaps a gold leaf frame ties a living room together as it compliments other gold decor in the room. Or a black frame choice may be made to make a statement in a neutral hallway.
Either way, I offer framing services for all of my clients! Some know exactly what frame they’d like while others fully trust my opinion to choose for them. Some clients send me photos of the room they are hanging their art in and I create a mood board so they can visualize, while others say ‘surprise me’!
So basically, it’s a one stop shop - I paint the piece, order the frame, install it and wrap it all pretty for you!