Custom Art Commissions

I take commissions several times a year depending on my schedule. If you would like to discuss the possibility of commissioning me to make a custom painting for you please contact me through this website.

Commission Prices

My prices for commissioned work range from $1500-$4600 depending on size and complexity of the project. Contact me for my rate sheet and to discuss details, discounts, and payment schedule options.
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About my pricing:
Early career artists have often asked me how I set my prices for their own reference and price setting. For me, I’ve had the privilege of a career as a gallery artist that began in Chicago in 1984 when Jan Cicero asked to represent me. At that time, she priced the first 3 paintings based on her market at that time. Those initial paintings were purchased by Kirkland and Ellis law firm very quickly and once that happened my work became part of the gallery’s permanent stable. As other large corporations and collectors purchased my work through Jan, she raised the prices gradually to reflect the increasing value. Though I often give generous discounts to my clients, it’s important that I don’t compromise the value of my work. I have been showing and selling my work long enough to attest that the value has been established, these prices are not random.
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Commission Process

All commissions are done under contract and include the basic terms: 50% - 50% payment structure, unless otherwise agreed upon. The Artist and Client will discuss the painting subject and agree on what the image will be while understanding this is a work of art and a watercolor painting with abstract characteristics.
 
Once we agree on the subject of the painting, size, price, etc., contract signed and deposit sent, I will give you an idea when I can start. This will depend on other paintings that are in process and their deadlines. When I start your painting, I’ll let you know that it’s started with an estimated time of completion. Generally, my paintings take about 35 studio hours (that’s brush to paper) to complete. They are very time consuming as well as physically taxing, and watercolor is a very slow medium (contrary to what people think). When the painting is finished I will send a photo and invoice for the final payment before packing and shipping. At that time, we can discuss how, when, and where to ship as some clients like to have the paintings sent directly to their framers. There is also an option to have the work framed and shipped from my framer in Tucson, but that would limit your selections and increase your shipping costs.
 
The creative process for the commissioned work most likely will start with photographs of the place, or subject (such as fall foliage or desert spring wildflowers). As much information as possible that we exchange at the beginning of the process will ensure a successful final painting. It takes me about a week to prepare before actually starting to paint, paper chosen and stretched, I often create several collage compositions to see what works best. Once I finish painting, I usually like to spend some time “watching it” before I share, in case there are small changes I need to make.
 
My paintings always go through an “adolescence” stage before being refined and fully finished. Because of this I generally don’t send in-process photos. I believe the gestation time of the painting is deeply personal, but I also don’t want the client to prejudge the outcome or worry that the final painting won’t be what we agreed upon.​

Some Examples of Previous Commissions