Anatomy of a Commission

Ever wonder how a commissioned artwork is created?

I recently wrote this feature article for Tocal Guide.

A couple from San Antonio who had fallen in love with the Cloister during a recent stay reached out to me. They wanted to commission a piece specifically for their vacation home in Texas’ beautiful Hill Country.
I spent a morning photographing many views of the Cloister, circling the hotel and the marina. Crossing the bridge and entering the marsh, I shot a wider perspective of the hotel from the Black Banks River. I like to immerse myself (literally!) to get a strong sense of a place.

Returning to my studio, I sketched various compositions. My clients and I nailed down the best idea and I began the large piece, multilayered oil paint over a gessoed canvas (40x50 inches).

As the painting neared completion, I sent images to my clients, who were thrilled with the results. After it dried, I varnished the piece and carefully shipped it in a tube. They took it to their favorite framer and selected a frame to complement the work. It now hangs proudly in their Fredericksburg home, a wonderful testament to their Sea Island memories.