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Private commissions are one of the best parts of my job as an artist. I love being able to work together with a private collector, designer, or company to produce the perfect painting for their space. A private commission involves working collaboratively with the client to create a work of art that they have been dreaming of. Clients can have a very specific idea of what they are looking for or only just a vague premise or a wall that they would like to fill.
Requests for an art commission can come from anywhere. Most of my art commissions come from word of mouth from past clients, but I’ve also had projects that came from viewing my paintings in person, Instagram, through an inquiry on my website’s contact page, or as a reply to my newsletter. Generally I require 50% before I start and 50% before the painting is shipped to the client but other payment plans are negotiable. Commissions start at $1200 depending on size, materials, and subject matter. Once we discuss these options I send a pricing range that they can expect. A final price will be listed on the commission contract before I start working on the painting. Below please find a commission inquiry form and an in-depth description of the commission process.
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Untitled, 2020, wax, resin, oil, pigment, 24 karat gold, coffee, Himalayan sea salt, 40 x 50 inches, commission for a collector
Hyperspace, 2017, oil and acrylic on gallery wrap canvas, 60 x 72 inches, commission for private collection,
Los Angeles, CA 
Bora Bora, 2019, oil on gallery wrap canvas,
60 x 84 inches, commission for private collection, Los Angeles, CA |
Commission Process
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For those who are considering a commission, I’ve put together a guide to let you know what to expect from the process.
Below are the six stages I follow when working on a private fine art commission: 1. Developing a Visual Dialogue Whether it’s by email or phone, I create a dialogue with the client before starting to develop a work that exceeds the client’s expectations. Sometimes a client will have an exact image in their mind, while others have only a vague idea. We use this time to create a visual dialogue, sharing images of the space where the painting will hang and images that inspire us. We discuss the painting's subject matter, colors, and size. We share images sourced online or taken in person. Once we’ve decided on a concept and refined the details, it’s onto stage two. 2. Studio Sketches and Test Samples Once I have a clear understanding of the painting you are imagining I will start some samples or sketches in my studio. These samples will test color combinations, materials, and subject matter to make sure we are on the same page. During this stage, I create a mini-version of the finished product. This gives the client an idea of what they can expect for the full-sized version and lets them refine the painting as needed. This may lead to more discussion and source images to point the project in a different direction. If the client has any suggestions or things they want changed this is the stage to do it! We can tweak, alter, and improve the design until it’s what they are imagining. Sometimes we will make a few changes, other times the client is happy with it right away. 3. Contract and Deposit Once we have finalized the details of the commission, a contract will be generated that outlines the ownership rights, shipping estimates, painting details, delivery, etc. At the same time, the client will pay the 50% deposit. Once that’s taken care of, it’s time to start painting! 4. Painting This is the stage where I hit the studio and work away at the painting until it’s complete. The test samples and sketches guide me throughout the process. I love the creativity and meditative feel of this stage. Focusing on a painting and seeing it from start to completion is very rewarding. 5. Final Payment and Delivery When the final painting is complete, the shipping quote will be finalized and the second, final payment will be due. Once the final payment has been made the painting will either be shipped or delivered in person to the client. I love delivering a painting and talking to the client in person. This stage looks different for every client; I plan it around the individual and their own interests. 6. Follow Up The commission isn’t over once the painting is delivered. Creating a commission is such a fun, collaborative and rewarding process for me (and hopefully the client too!). I love to stay in touch with them over time, checking in on how the painting is doing and look forward to receiving images of the painting installed. I am grateful that so many of my past clients have become friends of mine and I enjoy staying in touch with many of them. There you have it. Those are the six stages of my fine art commission process. Creating a commissioned painting is incredibly rewarding, fun and inspiring for me as an artist. I love working together with clients to create their perfect painting! |
Studio sketch / test for commission
Caylin Janet painting commission tests
Caylin Janet painting final commission from test samples
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Past Commissions
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Order∞Chaos, 2018, oil, wax, coffee, on cradled wood panel, 48 x 72 inches, commissioned for The Rubin Report television set
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Arete, 2016, oil and wax, on cradled wood panel, 48 x 24 inches,
commissioned for The Rubin Report television set |
Untitled, 2018, oil, acrylic, mica, resin, on wood panel, 36 inch diameter,
commission for collector, Annapolis, MD |
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Untitled, 2020, wax, resin, oil, pigment, 24 karat gold, coffee, Himalayan sea salt, 40 x 50 inches, commission for a collector
Image to the right is a detail image |
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NYC Skyline, oil on canvas, 24 x 48 inches, commission for a private collector, New York, NY
Through and Beneath, oil on wood, 12 x 12 inch, commission for private collector, Los Angeles, CA
Ketuba (detail), oil on paper, 24 x 24 inches, commission for private collector, Los Angeles, CA
Jack, 2015, oil on canvas, commission for owners in New York, NY
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