Why I Love the Commission Process (And Why You Might Too)
There’s something almost sacred about being invited into someone’s story. When you commission a painting from me, you’re not just buying a piece of art — you’re trusting me to translate something deeply personal into color, shape, and texture. A face you adore. A feeling you can’t quite put into words. A moment you never want to forget. That trust is the most beautiful part of what I do.
I’ve spent years painting in my New York studio and watching my work travel to galleries across the world, but I’ll tell you honestly: nothing compares to the intimacy of a commission. Gallery pieces are conversations I start on my own. Commissions are conversations we have together. They begin with you — your face, your home, your memory, your imagination — and end with something that exists nowhere else on earth.
If you’ve ever felt nervous about commissioning art, I want to put you at ease. This process is collaborative, warm, and surprisingly joyful. Let me walk you through exactly what it looks like to create something together.
Step One: Let’s Talk — How Our First Conversation Shapes Everything
Everything begins with a conversation. Not a contract, not a deposit, not a stack of paperwork — just the two of us talking about what you’re imagining. Sometimes people come to me with a crystal-clear vision: a portrait of their grandmother in the kitchen light she always loved, or an abstract piece that captures the energy of a city they fell in love with. Other times, people arrive with nothing but a feeling. Both are perfectly wonderful starting points.
During this first chat, I’ll ask you questions — maybe more than you expect. Where will the painting live? What pulls at your heart when you think about it? Are you drawn to bold, saturated color or something softer and more atmospheric? Do you want the subject to feel grounded and realistic, or do you want me to lean into the expressive, gestural style that has become my signature?
I ask these things because the best commissions come from genuine understanding. I’m not interested in giving you a generic painting that could belong to anyone. I want to make something that could only ever belong to you.
From Reference Photos to Color Palette: How We Develop Your Vision Together
Once we’ve found the heart of your piece, we move into the developmental stage — and this is where the fun really begins.
For portrait commissions, I’ll ask for reference photos. The best references are well-lit, high-resolution, and emotionally honest. I don’t need professional photography; in fact, some of my favorite portraits have come from candid snapshots where the subject forgot the camera was there. That’s where the real personality lives. If we can do a live sitting in my studio, even better — but I work beautifully from photographs, and I’ve painted people on the other side of the world this way.
For abstract commissions, the process is a little more poetic. Instead of photographs, we work with words, music, places, and emotions. You might send me a playlist, a poem, or a description of a landscape that moves you. From there, I begin sketching compositions and building a color palette.
Color is everything in my work. I think in temperature and contrast, in the way a single stroke of cadmium orange can make a cool blue sing. Before I commit to canvas, I’ll often share a small palette study or a rough compositional sketch so you can feel the direction we’re heading. This is your chance to weigh in — to say “yes, exactly” or “let’s push it bolder.” I genuinely welcome your voice here. This is a partnership.
Inside the Studio: What Happens While Your Painting Comes to Life
Now comes the part I love most: the making.
My studio is a wonderfully controlled chaos — canvases leaning against every wall, jars of brushes, the smell of oil paint and turpentine, and music playing constantly. Once we’ve agreed on direction, I begin building your painting in layers. I almost never work flat and finished from the start. Instead, I lay down underpainting, block in shapes, and slowly bring the piece into focus the way an image surfaces in developing fluid.
For portraits, I work to capture not just a likeness but a presence — the particular way someone holds their gaze, the warmth in their expression, the light that makes them them. For abstracts, I follow instinct and structure in equal measure, letting bold shapes and rhythm guide the composition while keeping our agreed palette as my compass.
I’ll share progress photos along the way, usually at a couple of key milestones. I do this for two reasons: first, because I want you to feel involved and excited as your piece evolves, and second, because there’s still room for small adjustments at certain stages. That said, I do ask for a measure of creative trust during the middle of the process. Paintings go through awkward “ugly duckling” phases — moments where things look unresolved before they come together. Trust the journey. I always do.
Timelines, Pricing, and What to Expect Along the Way
Let’s talk practicalities, because I believe transparency makes everything more comfortable.
Timelines: Most commissions take between four and ten weeks, depending on size, complexity, and my current studio schedule. Larger abstracts and multi-figure portraits naturally take longer. I’ll give you a realistic estimate before we begin, and I’d always rather give a painting the time it deserves than rush something that will hang in your life for decades.
Pricing: Commission pricing depends on a few factors — the dimensions of the canvas, whether it’s a portrait or abstract, the number of subjects, and the level of detail involved. I’ll provide you with a clear quote upfront, with no surprises. Generally, I ask for a 50% deposit to begin, which secures your place in my schedule and covers materials, with the remaining balance due upon completion before delivery.
Here’s a simple snapshot of what to expect:
- Initial consultation — free, no obligation
- Deposit — 50% to reserve your spot and begin
- Progress check-ins — typically two key milestones
- Final approval — your moment to fall in love
- Final payment — due before delivery or shipping
I work with collectors and first-time art buyers alike, and I never want price or process to feel intimidating. If you have questions or a specific budget in mind, just tell me. We can almost always find a beautiful way forward together.
Bringing It Home: Delivery, Care, and Making It Yours Forever
When your painting is finished and fully cured, it’s time for the best part — bringing it home.
For local clients in New York, I love arranging in-person delivery or studio pickup whenever possible. There’s nothing quite like watching someone see their finished piece for the first time. For collectors farther afield, I professionally package and ship each work with great care, fully insured, so it arrives safely no matter the distance. My paintings have traveled across oceans, and I treat every shipment as if it were heading into my own home.
I’ll also send you simple care notes — how to hang it, how to protect it from harsh direct sunlight, and how to keep it looking vibrant for generations. Oil paintings are wonderfully durable, and with a little thoughtfulness, your piece will outlast all of us.
Most of all, I want your commission to become part of your life — a presence on your wall that greets you each morning and means a little more with every passing year. That’s the whole point of what I do. So if there’s a painting living in your imagination, let’s bring it into the world together. I can’t wait to hear your story.