Here is the very first commission I have received since commencing my career as an artist. The client has specifically asked for a calm, peaceful piece of work for her son's bedroom in their lovely, modern house overlooking Kapitii Island,,,,

Journey with me as I show you how I created something inspired that I hoped she and her family would love - and they did!

"I love it! I just love it!" My clients said, "I don't care what my husband says...I'm having it!"

And so did other people:
"Just wanted to say ....I just LOVE those two pieces you did. They are truly awesome!!!
Really really good!!"

As it turned out her husband wanted to have his very own painting - one that would complement a piece of furniture he had designed. So one commission became two!

Here is how they both started out - as a blank canvas!

here is the canvas - the size customised to fit the exact dimensions they both required.

With both pieces I spent a lot of time clarifying carefully what they wanted - no point creating something that doesn't meet their needs! An important part of this was getting a clear idea of how they wanted to feel.

The first piece flowed easily - I rang the client to come and have a look at the first draft. "I love it! I think it's the best work you've ever done." So the first draft was the last draft! The work was done. Here is is in the studio

Her husband's piece took a wee while longer. As you can see it's quite a different piece altogether. There were many design
elements in the room to work with - strong black lines, modern furniture, terracotta tiles and existing art work. But we got there...here we are with the first draft. Lately I went back and strengthened the black gestural flourish and minimised some of the other elements

Both pieces worked well because the purchasers were actively involved in the creative process whilst also giving me free reign to create what I felt would suit them best. To me that is passion@work - we are all happy with the outcome.

That's the joy of commissioning work from an artist - you get what you want!) Contact me if you would like a piece specifically painted with your home or office space in mind.

Labels: Commissioning a work of art, Cultivating Creativity