What is a Commission?
I have so many people ask me this and as commission projects are one of my favourite things about being an artist, I thought I’d explain exactly what they are and why I love them.
First up is the most fundamental part, a commission is just a bespoke painting created exactly to what you are looking for. It can be a mini painting right the way up to a large scale piece, any size you want to fit the space you have in mind. It can also be a pair of customized trainers, a re-purposed surfboard or wedding day piece. That’s the exciting bit for me, there are no limits to what we can do and use as a canvas.
‘Fistral Shoreline’ Vans trainers
The next wonderful thing about them, is if you have a specific beach memory or location you love, then I can study it for you. You may have looked through my available art in the past and checked if I have a painting of your favourite place, only to see I don’t have what you are looking for? Well, that is when a commission is perfect.
They allow me to explore and research whole new areas of the coastline, study the tide from above with my drone, on the shore collecting sand and other treasures I find while beachcombing. Just sitting and watching, absorbing the location. I find that equally as exciting on a location I have studied before. The tide is constantly changing the sand formations, the weather affecting swell and colours in the water. Two of my favourite places are Fistral and Polzeath, I have painted them so many times but will never fail to get excited to go back and study it again, each time discovering something new.
‘Polly Joke Moments’
Working on a commission is one of my favourite things because it allows me to get to know you. At the start of a project I discuss what your favourite place is, the memories it holds for you, is the painting for a special someone or occasion. I love bringing that connection into the painting for you, it really does make it that much more special. It also allows me to make specific suggestions or additions to the piece for you, something you may not have thought of. I have in the past added fabric from the clients favourite dress she associated with her beloved location. I have added ribbon to commemorate a life changing event, shells and trinkets moulded into the rocky cliffs of a piece. Adding these special details really does make it unique to you, and I love the stories that painting can now tell generations to come, encapsulating your memory.
‘Chapel Porth Shoreline’
The next question I get asked a lot is how long they take, unfortunately that’s not an easy one to answer. I can work to a tight time scale but as my work is so textured it takes time for layers to dry before I can move to the next stage. So ideally I like as much time as possible to make sure I have plenty of time to study a location and create your piece. I have people booked up for 2024 already as they wanted to secure a specific completion date – so never worry you are getting in touch too soon!
Then the final question which I am asked is about price. I do add a slight premium onto a commission, mostly to cover the bespoke research I complete for you on your location. But I am always willing to work to a specific budget and can be flexible offering payment plans. So I always encourage you to get in touch just to have a chat before deciding whether it may not be something that’s right for you.
‘Bedruthen Moments’
I think they are most of the questions I normally get asked, but if you’d like to ask me something else contact me through the website or social media, I’d love to hear from you! A lot of the things I have addressed here are the same for both personal or business clients, but if you are a business and would like to discuss a project I welcome hearing your ideas. I have created commissioned collections for hotels, printed murals for businesses, even created bespoke drink vessels for world renowned restaurants.
‘Drop Sails, Knot Nets’ cocktail at Adam Handlings The Ugly Butterfly
I think that sums up why I love commissions so much, there are no limits to what can be done and experimented with. They give me the opportunity to flex and stretch my creative muscles and inevitably lead onto something else even more exciting. Here’s to more exciting creative projects ahead!