getting involved in the creative process
Why Commissioning Custom Artwork Is an Investment in Your Environment
When people think about transforming a room, they often look at furniture, paint, or lighting. But custom art and murals do something completely different. They bring a space to life with a soul and a story that mass-produced decor simply cannot replicate.
From an Accidental Ink Spill to a Signature Style
My entire art career and process actually started from an accidental ink spill in a small shared studio back in 2008. I had an art show coming up at the restaurant where I worked, and all of my watercolor paper for the show was covered in expensive ink that spilled all over the room. Instead of throwing it out, I used that ink spill to inspire a new series of landscapes of Portland, Oregon, where I lived at the time.
That single experience taught me the profound joy of incorporating uncontrolled accidents into my custom paintings and murals. Ever since, it has been a powerful way to let the medium speak for itself, creating one-of-a-kind textures and flows that cannot be forced or faked.
How We Bring Your Vision to Life Together
Collaboration is at the heart of how I work, and I always want the process to feel transparent, exciting, and accessible. To make things simple, I even have a commission calculator on my website where clients can enter what they want and see a live cost calculation. Here is the step-by-step process we follow:
We start with a free 30-minute Zoom consultation where I learn about the project in your own words. I share a digital folder where you can upload photo references and images to inspire the design, followed by a 50 percent deposit to lock in the project.
I create an initial sketch and offer two rounds of edits so you can share feedback and guide the adjustments. If extra fine-tuning is needed beyond that, additional edits are available at a clear design rate of 150 dollars an hour.
Once we both agree on the design and materials, I get to work. Custom paintings are crafted right in my studio, while murals involve coordinating a timeline, logistics, and wall access for your home, business, or community space.
The entire process typically takes anywhere from one week to one month to complete, with the remaining 50 percent payment due upon completion.
Overcoming Industry Fears Through Reliability and Experience
A lot of clients worry that artists are going to be unreliable or flaky. It is a common fear in the creative world, and it is completely valid if you have had a bad experience in the past.
To combat this, I lean on my 14 years of experience in the industry. I have proudly met every single deadline and come in at or under budget every single time. Understanding the industry inside and out means I can offer fair, transparent pricing that matches a high level of professional dedication.
Why Quality Art Matters and How to Make It Accessible
You truly get what you pay for. If you are looking for cheap labor, you end up with cheap artwork that looks cheap. Art is an investment, and it pays out over a lifetime of enjoyment in your environment.
That is why I offer flexible payment options for my clients. It ensures that people from a wide range of financial backgrounds can still commission a meaningful piece of art that speaks to them and reflects what they want to say.