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Artist Collaboration vs. Commissioning: Creative Synergy and Specification

When people think of working with an artist, they often imagine one of two scenarios: collaboration with the artist on a project or commissioning the artist to bring a specific vision to life. Both are rewarding experiences in their own right, but they engage the artist in fundamentally different ways. Let’s dive into the difference between these two approaches, exploring how the artist’s creative process plays a crucial role in each.

Artist Collaboration vs. Commissioning

Collaboration: A Dance of Ideas and Innovation

In an artist collaboration, there’s a fluid exchange of ideas, where both parties actively engage in shaping the final outcome. It’s a creative dance, with the artist not just producing but also co-creating. Here, the client or collaborator becomes part of the artistic journey.

This approach often leads to unexpected, innovative results because the artist has the freedom to experiment, take risks, and bring their unique vision into alignment with the collaborator’s goals. Collaboration thrives on mutual respect, trust, and the understanding that the final piece is the sum of everyone’s input, enriched by the artist’s expertise.

For artists, collaboration is deeply motivating because it taps into their creative process. It allows them to approach the work with curiosity, excitement, and a sense of discovery. When an artist feels truly engaged in a project, their passion for the work shines through, often leading to pieces that resonate on a deeper emotional level.

Artist Collaboration vs. Commissioning

Collaborating with filmmaker, Randy Frykas on The Iconic Canuck Documentary

Key aspects of collaboration:

  • Open dialogue between the artist and collaborator
  • Mutual influence and sharing of ideas
  • Organic evolution of the project
  • Artist’s process is central to the final outcome
  • Highly motivating and creatively fulfilling for the artist
artist brand collabs

Collaboration Grounded People X Brandy Saturley

Commissioning: Fulfilling a Specific Vision

On the other hand, commissioning an artist often means asking them to work to a predetermined vision or set of specifications. The client typically has a clear idea of what they want, and the artist’s role is to execute that idea as accurately as possible. The artist’s creative process still plays a role, but it may take a backseat to the client’s vision.

This is not to say commissions lack creativity—far from it. A skilled artist can bring incredible depth, emotion, and innovation to a commission, but the starting point is more defined. The artist is often tasked with problem-solving: how to translate a client’s idea into a powerful visual form while still injecting their own style and expertise into the piece.

For an artist, whether or not to accept a commission depends on whether the project resonates with them. If the client’s vision aligns with the artist’s interests, values, or aesthetics, the commission can be deeply fulfilling. However, if the project feels too far removed from what inspires the artist, it can feel like mere execution, which may result in a less passionate or engaged process.

Collaborating versus Commissioning

Key aspects of commissioning:

  • Client sets specific goals or requirements
  • Artist works within clear guidelines
  • Less flexibility for experimentation
  • Success depends on alignment between artist and client vision
  • Can be motivating if the project resonates with the artist
Lawren Harris and Rockwell Kent

Commissioned Painting by Brandy Saturley for Private Client.

Artist Collaboration vs. Commissioning: The Importance of Resonance

At the heart of both collaboration and commission is the artist’s emotional connection to the project. If a project doesn’t move an artist—if it doesn’t spark their creativity or align with their passions—it becomes much harder to produce meaningful work.

When an artist takes on a commission or enters a collaboration, they are making a commitment. To ensure the work is powerful, the artist needs to feel invested, both intellectually and emotionally. For clients, understanding this is key to building a productive relationship with the artist. Whether through collaboration or commission, the best results come from a genuine connection between the artist’s creative vision and the project at hand.

Canadian artists painting mountains

Collaboration Mountain Forms Collective – Gisa Mayer and Brandy Saturley

Finding the Balance: A Shared Journey

In the end, whether you’re commissioning an artist or collaborating with one, the goal should be the same: creating something that resonates, both with the artist and the audience. For clients, it’s important to allow some space for the artist’s process—even in a commission—so that their unique voice can come through.

For artists, taking on any project, whether collaborative or commissioned, is a leap of faith. It requires the right balance between personal creative expression and external input. And when that balance is struck, the result is a work of art that tells a story—one that’s more than just a product but a testament to shared vision and artistry.

care for your art collection

Learn more about commissioning Brandy Saturley to create a custom painting together with you.

The Art of Brandy Saturley – Commissioned Art for You.

Brandy Saturley has painted numerous commissioned original paintings in her unique pop realism aesthetic for Canadian art collectors, worldwide. Commissioned Art is conceived through a collaborative process with the client. Saturley has journeyed across Canada and the United States; on foot, by boat, by plane, subway, cab and even limousine. Whatever is required to capture the places and subjects required to tell the story on canvas.  A commissioned painting is a timeless and personalized gift unlike any other you could ever give, or receive. The final result is an original work of art combing your vision with the artist’s unique language and style.

The Process for Commissioning an Original Pop Realism painting with Brandy Saturley

COMMISSION PROCESS: After initial discussion with the client over the phone, by video conference, or in person; Saturley compiles notes and begins with creating three sketches either from client supplied photos, by artist research, or through original photography by the artist at your location, followed by a small watercolour study. These studies are then photographed and submitted to the client for approval, before commencing work on the original commissioned painting.

FEES: Current pricing for an original commissioned work painted by Brandy Saturley is the same as for existing original original pop realism paintings, which are priced by size.

ADDITIONAL FEES: if the original custom painting you wish to have created requires the artist to fly to location(s) to gather photography reference or meet in person, this would be an additional cost, paid by the client.

DEPOSIT UPON BEGINNING WORK: A 50% deposit is required upon agreement and commencement of study sketches and initial watercolour study. Balance due upon shipping final work. Commissions can take between one month, to one year depending on the complexity and size of the work. A commissioned painting is a lovingly crafted original creation and a collaboration between you and the artist, therefore it requires time and patience ensuring a one-of-a-kind, beautifully finished piece that will hold up and be enjoyed for generations.

For initial consultation inquiry, please contact The Art of Brandy Saturley directly at art@brandysaturley.com

Brandy is happy to discuss your ideas and walk you through the process of commissioning a one-of-a-kind painting created specifically for you, or as gift to your clients.

Examples of recent commissions:

Commissioned Pop Realism Style Landscape Painting of Icebergs in Newfoundland for a client in Montreal, Canada.

Brandy Saturley Commissioned Art

Commissioned Pop Realism Style Landscape Painting of Olympic Mountains and ocean, martini glass, sailboats, as seen from Oak Bay in Victoria BC.

Brandy Saturley Commissioned Art

Commissioned Pop Realism Style Landscape Painting of locations in Palm Springs, California.

Commissioned Pop Realism Style Figurative Painting of skaters on a frozen lake, for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Brandy Saturley Commissioned Art

Commissioned Pop Realism Style Painting of Maryeve Dufault for Canadian Tire Jumpstart.

Read more about Commissioned Artwork from The Art of Brandy Saturley here.

Contact us now to discuss your commissioned painting idea.

Art Collector Homes Part 2; Art in Oak Bay

Earlier this year I wrote a blog post about art collector homes on Canada’s west coast, Vancouver Island. I’m not sure if it is the hot real estate market in Victoria BC, or my artwork on the walls, but something is happening here in BC and I am pleased to have my work prominently on display in these stunning homes. Earlier this year one of my collectors put their Cordova Bay dream home on the market, minus the artwork, though the bidders were hoping to have the paintings included in the sale. This month another collector, this time in Oak Bay has their stunning custom home on the market, a beautiful three-storey stunner, with an Olympic Mountain view.

Last summer I installed a custom painted, commissioned work of art on their wall with a view. I take on very few commissions as it takes time away from my core work as a professional artist, however in this case I was happy to oblige as the scale of the work and the idea sounded like a fun detour for a month. These commissioned paintings offer me a chance to get inside someone else’s head for a while and allow me to mentally stretch as an artist. In some cases they challenge me in new subject material and open me up to expressing views outside of my core work on canvas. It is a collaborative experience where the client is expressing their creativity through me, the artist. After all, we are all creative, but we are not all artists, or painters. As an artist I have the patience to commit myself to a month long process of creating something custom tailored to suit the client’s creative aspirations and vision. I bring my expertise with colour, form, composition and style, creating the perfect painting for the couple who will forever own the piece and pass it down to the next generation of art lovers.

Breathtaking views of the Salish Sea from this incredible custom residence situated in Victoria’s oldest and most sought after address, on King George Terrace in Oak Bay. Built in 1999 to exacting standards, this home features impressive views, amazing sunsets and the ocean activity in the channel.

The final painting was designed to echo the view out the main window, with sunset colours and sailboats, as you watch them sail by all year round, and by the hundreds during Swiftsure yacht race. It is a view where you can enjoy a glass of champagne, your favorite wine or in this case a martini with raspberries.

Read more about commissioning a painting from The Art of Brandy Saturley here.