Making a Commissioned Painting: Custom Art for a Collector

Commissioned Art is something I take on for special collectors of my work. If a client approaches me with an idea that aligns with my artistic voice and interests, I am always open to exploring the possibility of a collaboration.

Recently, a collector reached out after returning from a wildlife trip on the west coast of Canada. They shared a collection of photographs featuring sea lions, seals, coastal birds, and dramatic Pacific scenery, with the hope of creating a painting that captured the spirit of the west coast.

When approaching a commission, I rarely recreate a single photograph or literal moment. Instead, I work from multiple images to build a more layered visual story on canvas. My interest lies in capturing the atmosphere, emotion, and essence of a place rather than documenting it exactly as it appeared.

For this painting, I was immediately drawn to two photographs: one of a raven and another of several female sea lions emerging from rolling ocean waves. I then sifted through my own archive of reference material and found photographs of coastal mountains and dense forest landscapes. By combining these elements together in a digital collage, I was able to shape a strong composition and create the foundation for a visual narrative, one that invites conversation and interpretation long after the painting is hung on a wall.

Commissioned Art – Making a Custom Painting

That sense of engagement is important to me. I want viewers to interact with my paintings and bring their own interpretations to the imagery and situations depicted. The most rewarding artworks are often the ones that continue to reveal new meanings over time, like visual campfires that people gather around and revisit again and again.

As with all of my paintings, I begin by sketching the composition directly onto the canvas using a chalk pen, which disappears once paint is applied.

From there, I move into colour blocking and underpainting using fluorescent paints to establish energy and atmosphere beneath the surface. Layer by layer, I build tonal depth throughout the landscape while shaping the movement of the waves in the foreground.

I leave the main subjects until the final stages of the process. The raven and sea lions needed to remain crisp and clear against the softer movement of the environment surrounding them.

Once the painting is complete, I photograph the finished work and send images to the collector for final approval.

The final steps include signing, varnishing, and wiring the painting for display. I also create a certificate of authenticity before arranging shipping or hand delivery to the client.

Commissions can be both exciting and challenging because they often pull me away from my own ongoing studio explorations and into subject matter I may never have considered painting otherwise. This was the first time I had painted sea lions, and having such strong reference photography provided an excellent starting point for the work. When a collector’s interests intersect naturally with my own artistic curiosity, the result becomes a true creative collaboration.

I only accept commissions from collectors who already own my work. If you are a collector of my paintings and have an idea for a future piece, I would love to hear from you. Reach out and share your vision.