commissions
Jennifer was such a pleasure to work with. I only had a concept in mind and she was able to translate my vision into reality! Everyone loves the drawing of my children that she created. -- Vanessa from Ottawa
Custom artwork is a unique and lasting way to mark special events in life or to honour loved ones. I can create custom artwork that celebrates important people and meaningful moments in your life. You can commission a portrait of a loved one, a special pet, or a place that has significance for you.
Each drawing or painting is one of a kind, handcrafted with care. I use centuries-old techniques combined with modern materials that are designed to last.
Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about commissions. Don't see the answer to your question here? Contact me and I will be happy to answer any questions you have—without pressure!
What is the process?
The commission process starts with a conversation. We’ll chat about what you want—and it’s ok if you are not quite sure what that is, because we’ll discuss the possibilities. After we’ve discussed your idea, I will provide you with a quote.
If you decide to proceed, I can provide preliminary sketches for you to review, to ensure that I have captured the idea you have in mind. I don’t get started on the final artwork until I have a clear vision of what you want. It’s important that commissioned artwork is well planned before a single pencil mark or brushstroke is made!
I'm nervous about buying art online. How will I know that I will be satisfied with my purchase?
I want you to love your commissioned drawing or painting. I'll keep in touch with you as I work on the piece. You'll see your portrait or landscape develop from start to finish, and you’ll have a chance to review a photo of it before I deliver the finished work to you. I never consider a work to be finished until you are satisfied with it.
Do you work from a photo?
It depends. If you want to commission a drawing or painting of a place where you have great memories—a house, a cottage, a special vacation destination—then I will need to rely on your photos. If you are commissioning a portrait, it is best if I can take my own photos. If circumstances do not allow that, then I can consider working from your photos, but that may not be possible.
The quality of the commissioned artwork will depend very much on the quality of the photo that you provide. If I don't think that I can create a high-quality portrait from the photo that you provide, I will tell you so. I want you to love your drawing or painting and I would rather lose a commission than create something that neither of us can feel great about.
You can send me photo to review—with no obligation to buy—and I will tell you whether I can work from it.
How much does custom artwork cost?
The cost really depends on what you choose. Do you want a drawing, or a painting? What size? Is there more than one person in the portrait? These considerations affect the cost. Just contact me and I will provide you with prices and options to think about.
How do you price your work?
My work is priced according to size and is based on the materials used and the time required to create the piece. To understand what you are buying, it is helpful to understand a few things about the materials and workmanship that goes into a piece of fine art.
I use only artist-quality, archival materials. In the case of a painting, the pigments that I use are mainly natural earth colours or natural minerals, and these are ground up and then bound in either linseed oil or walnut oil. There are no additives---just pure pigment and a natural oil that is highly refined. Both linseed and walnut oil dry to create a hard film that is very durable. There’s a reason why museums have oil paintings that are hundreds of years old!
For drawings, I use artist-quality paper that is acid-free, so that it won't discolour over time.
I put a lot of care into my work. For a painting, I begin by preparing the surface, priming it so that it is not too absorbent and the oil paint will sit on top and look fresh instead of soaking in. I make preliminary sketches and spend time mixing colours so that I get them just right. Once I have done that preparatory work, I start by doing a freehand drawing and then, when I know that the drawing is accurate, I start to paint.
My prices are based on the cost of my materials and the number of hours that it takes to create a drawing or painting. If you have ever taken your car to the garage for service, I can assure you that you are paying your mechanic more per hour than you are paying me to create a handmade item for you. And the painting is going to last a lot longer than your car!
I still have questions. How can I contact you?
The best way to contact me is by using the contact form on this website. You can also visit my Facebook page and send me a message that way.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. I use Shopify to accept credit cards. Every day, Shopify provides the payment processing for thousands of business of every size—from little Ma-and-Pa businesses to major corporations. It is a proven system that is encrypted and secure.
Each drawing or painting is one of a kind, handcrafted with care. I use centuries-old techniques combined with modern materials that are designed to last.
Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about commissions. Don't see the answer to your question here? Contact me and I will be happy to answer any questions you have—without pressure!
What is the process?
The commission process starts with a conversation. We’ll chat about what you want—and it’s ok if you are not quite sure what that is, because we’ll discuss the possibilities. After we’ve discussed your idea, I will provide you with a quote.
If you decide to proceed, I can provide preliminary sketches for you to review, to ensure that I have captured the idea you have in mind. I don’t get started on the final artwork until I have a clear vision of what you want. It’s important that commissioned artwork is well planned before a single pencil mark or brushstroke is made!
I'm nervous about buying art online. How will I know that I will be satisfied with my purchase?
I want you to love your commissioned drawing or painting. I'll keep in touch with you as I work on the piece. You'll see your portrait or landscape develop from start to finish, and you’ll have a chance to review a photo of it before I deliver the finished work to you. I never consider a work to be finished until you are satisfied with it.
Do you work from a photo?
It depends. If you want to commission a drawing or painting of a place where you have great memories—a house, a cottage, a special vacation destination—then I will need to rely on your photos. If you are commissioning a portrait, it is best if I can take my own photos. If circumstances do not allow that, then I can consider working from your photos, but that may not be possible.
The quality of the commissioned artwork will depend very much on the quality of the photo that you provide. If I don't think that I can create a high-quality portrait from the photo that you provide, I will tell you so. I want you to love your drawing or painting and I would rather lose a commission than create something that neither of us can feel great about.
You can send me photo to review—with no obligation to buy—and I will tell you whether I can work from it.
How much does custom artwork cost?
The cost really depends on what you choose. Do you want a drawing, or a painting? What size? Is there more than one person in the portrait? These considerations affect the cost. Just contact me and I will provide you with prices and options to think about.
How do you price your work?
My work is priced according to size and is based on the materials used and the time required to create the piece. To understand what you are buying, it is helpful to understand a few things about the materials and workmanship that goes into a piece of fine art.
I use only artist-quality, archival materials. In the case of a painting, the pigments that I use are mainly natural earth colours or natural minerals, and these are ground up and then bound in either linseed oil or walnut oil. There are no additives---just pure pigment and a natural oil that is highly refined. Both linseed and walnut oil dry to create a hard film that is very durable. There’s a reason why museums have oil paintings that are hundreds of years old!
For drawings, I use artist-quality paper that is acid-free, so that it won't discolour over time.
I put a lot of care into my work. For a painting, I begin by preparing the surface, priming it so that it is not too absorbent and the oil paint will sit on top and look fresh instead of soaking in. I make preliminary sketches and spend time mixing colours so that I get them just right. Once I have done that preparatory work, I start by doing a freehand drawing and then, when I know that the drawing is accurate, I start to paint.
My prices are based on the cost of my materials and the number of hours that it takes to create a drawing or painting. If you have ever taken your car to the garage for service, I can assure you that you are paying your mechanic more per hour than you are paying me to create a handmade item for you. And the painting is going to last a lot longer than your car!
I still have questions. How can I contact you?
The best way to contact me is by using the contact form on this website. You can also visit my Facebook page and send me a message that way.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. I use Shopify to accept credit cards. Every day, Shopify provides the payment processing for thousands of business of every size—from little Ma-and-Pa businesses to major corporations. It is a proven system that is encrypted and secure.