Creating a commission painting is a long process and a road which many artists refuse to embark on. Why? Well there are a few reasons why artists often don't like doing commissions:

1.  it is difficult to really pin down exactly what the client is looking for.
2. Clients often start to express changes once they see the painting in progress.
3. Clients sometimes change their mind about wanting to spend their money once it comes time to paying for the final product.
4. You have to be able to communicate well and often with the client. 
5. It can be difficult to get negative or critical feedback

Most of the time, I really enjoy the challenge of a commission. I try to mitigate some of those above issues by:

1. Making sure that the client is looking at your current work and is saying things like, 'can you make me something very similar to this?'
2. I ask a lot of general questions in the beginning: Why do you want this? Who is it for? What motivated you to contact me? How much time do you have? How much do you want to spend? 
3. After those are answered, we start to talk about the details of the painting. What are you looking for exactly?
4. After those questions and answers, we both know weather I am the right artist for their vision or if they should keep looking.
5. Then I explain my terms. 40% down and this is non-refundable. I will do my best to honour or agreed upon date, but the more changes you ask for the longer the painting will take to complete. 
6. I will send photos of the painting. 'Are we good with this?' If they want to make a small change at this point, then I can usually accommodate them without too much trouble. 
7. By the completion of the painting the client has seen and approved of the progress along the way and they are not faced with too many surprises. OF course, there are always last minute decisions that an artist has too be able to make in order to keep the integrity of the painting - but it isn't crazy different. 
8. The final step is the delivery of a professionally finished painting in exchange for a well-earned payment. 

Yes, it is a lot of work to do a commission. More bother than most artists want to attempt, but there is something really satisfying about working on a painting that is already sold!

The library is one of my favorite places in any city or town and so when I am asked to teach a workshop at the library, I always make the time. This year i facilitated a workshop at the Crowfoot Library and the subject was CITYSCAPE painting. Below are some images of the class and a one participant and her beautiful painting!

I am in an apartment at the bottom this hill. I come up here often to see the view, to run, to relax, to meditate, to take photos and now to draw.

I carried this birch canvas up the hill along with a little tin of watercolours, one paint brush, pencil, charcoal and a little stool. I sat on my little fold out stool, put on my headphones and I listened to Cindy Lauper while I took in the scene. It isn't always Cindy Lauper. This is absolutely my favourite activity - drawing plein air. You know, on location. I have drawn from this view point before, although a different scene.  Here is a video of a painting I did from this hill 6 or 7 years ago! I am happy to revisit the location, but with a new approach. All is fresh, but familiar. It is a nice feeling. 

I'm working on a new body of work. Cityscapes for a show at Arton9th scheduled for Mid September. This work is a combination of phototransfer, acrylic paint, oil paint and encaustic. New directions in my work has me very excited!  Here is a little peak.