How to Commission Art   Would you like a unique artistic Christmas card?  A favorite food to cheer the wall of your kitchen?   Your best vacation memory transformed into art for above the fireplace?   A photo that charms you, made into a painting that will charm everyone?   Favorite flowers from your childhood in a format that are always fresh?   Or a gift for that person who has everything?   Partridge in a Pear Tree Old Rowboats Avocados Purple Daisy To get exactly the art that you want, in the size and medium you want, perhaps even in the colors that you want, I always suggest a commission. Here's typically how it works: 1. Find an artist whose style you connect with and ask if they ever paint the subject/size/medium you are interested in.  2. Ask if they do commissions and what they cost, compared to the same type of painting in the artist's current inventory. (30%-50% higher is typical, because a lot more work goes into a commission.) 3. Ask about their commission calendar, especially if there is a gift deadline involved. Most artists won't work on more than one commission at a time and some are booked up a few years in advance.   If things are sounding good, schedule a meetup, phone call or email exchange where you can give them details on the image you would like and they can give you an idea of what they would be able to do for you. Some artists will provide sketches at this point. Let them know that you are interested and if there are any changes you would like to make, based on their sketches or description.   Ask to have an agreement in writing (email is ok), including at least the basic info about the art image, price, payment plan, estimated start date, promised latest delivery date, shipping/insurance costs, tax, return/refund policy etc. Anything that you would want to know before turning over the down payment. Artists who do a lot of commissions will have a standard "Letter of Agreement" that they customize to your project.   Here is an example of mine: Letter of Agreement Legally speaking, it is not a contract, but it helps to clarify the plan for both parties, sets reasonable expectations and gives each person some protection.   Your next step is to send the down payment and wait for the start date. If you have not received an update from the artist a couple of weeks after the start date, check in with them to make sure that all is well. Things may come up that will cause changes to the agreement, but you should always expect to be kept involved and informed.   When the art is delivered, do your part by letting the artist know that it arrived safely and met your expectations (or not!). After it is installed, a photo of the artwork in its place is always appreciated by an artist, especially if you give them permission to use the photo.   I've been writing about commissions with artists in general because I want you to know how easy the process of creating just the right piece of art to meet your needs (or dreams) can be.   So, if my style is what comes to mind as you mull this over, drop me a note. I'd love to add you to my commission calendar with an original painting (large or small) in watercolor, acrylic, digital fine art, ink, encaustic (colored beeswax), mono-printing, collage or any combination of these media.   Nan   PS Have you ever commissioned a piece of art? Was is a good experience?