Learn about Commissions
What is a commission?
Commissioned artwork is custom artwork you ask an artist to create just for you, rather than purchasing an existing artwork.
Commissions are great if:
You want to guarantee you can get a piece, rather than competing with other collectors to claim a piece quickly.
You love a piece that was claimed by another collector. We can do one inspired by that piece.
There are specific colors you'd like to be the focus.
You need a specific size painting for your space. (Not sure what size would be ideal? I can make recommendations based on photos of your space.)
Timeline
We discuss via email or phone to determine your vision, size and budget.
You make your deposit. I start preparations and order the necessary supplies.
You piece is created over 4 to 8 weeks.
Your finished artwork is shipped to you or available for pick-up.
Guiding Your Inquiry
You can provide as little or as much direction as you like, however bear in mind that I only paint work in my styles of abstraction. Are certain colors important?
Choose 2-3 to guide your piece, and I'll pull the rest around those colors.
You may know the size you'd like, or I can make recommendations.
Are you inspired by a past painting? Let me know and we can pull inspiration from it.
The Process
Once we have chatted and you feel confident on size, color, style and budget, I'll send you an invoice via email to book the the commission. The invoice will be for the total amount of your painting, but you will only need to make a partial payment of 50% of the total to book. The remainder is paid prior to shipping.
Once your payment is made, it takes about 6-8 weeks for me to order supplies and paint your piece. This may extend by 1- 2 weeks, but I'm always clear on current timeline when you book.
When the piece is about 90% finished, you will receive photos for final approval. This is the time to request adjustments to color, vibrancy or details. I take a few more days to finish up, and your piece is ready to ship to you!
Shipping cost is added to your total, and depends on size of the piece and its destination. If your painting is of a certain size and made on canvas or paper, it ships rolled. This means the canvas is removed from the stretcher bars and shipped rolled up. This requires that the piece be taken to a framer or canvas shop after being received by the collector to be re-stretched onto bars. This is done at the collector's expense, and generally ranges in cost from $150-$250.
Shipping this way reduces shipping cost and risk of damage during transit. You still pay less to have the canvas re-stretched than you would pay to have it shipped fully stretched.
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An invoice is sent for the total amount of the commission, but only 50% is required up front to book.
The remainder just needs to be paid at any point before the painting is shipped to you.
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Fifty percent is required up front so that I can order supplies and begin work on your piece. Payments are non-refundable once made, due to the custom nature of the work.
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I can make just about any size work, so we can create a piece that truly fits your space. I am open to using a wide range of materials from plexiglas and aluminum to classic canvas and yupo paper.
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Some clients choose a few colors based on the room the piece will be hanging in, or colors that are simply their favorites. From there, I flesh out a full palette with complimentary colors while creating the piece.
Alternatively, you don't have to choose colors at all. You can simply be inspired by a mood, a photograph, or something that's not tangible at all.
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Your painting will need to be stretched and stapled back onto bars by an experienced professional. To find one in your area, Google "Framer near me," "Custom framing near me," or "Canvas shop near me."
Once you find local businesses, you can call or send them an inquiry to get a price estimate. Just let them know that you ordered a canvas painting that will arrive rolled, what size it is, and that you'd like it put back on stretcher bars.
All you will need to bring to them is the painting. They will have the bars to complete your job.
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The timeline for completion is typically 4-8 weeks based on size, complexity and my schedule. I always provide a unique timeline estimate before you book that takes all of those things into consideration for your specific commission.
HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Please reach out to me with further questions via email at carol@carolsimonstudio.com and I will be happy to answer them.