Commissions

PLEASE NOTE: I am taking a year off of commissions (2023). Please join my mailing list so you are notified when I open back up for commissioned work. I am developing a new body of work that I’m excited to share! Stay tuned… 

Commissioned work is an artist’s greatest challenge and privilege! Whether working from a photo, sketch, childhood memory, or rough idea, my goal is to create an original piece of artwork, working in partnership with you; to transform your vision, blended with my skill and style, into a reality on canvas.

I have had the pleasure of tackling this challenge many times. I appreciate each client I have worked with, as it has always been a team effort. Although commissioned work can be challenging, it is always ripe with reward. I welcome the opportunity to grow as an artist through commissioned work.

The Process

The process starts with a conversation about your vision and ideas. Are you celebrating a milestone, is this a gift, or a remembrance? I’ll ask about the colors you’re drawn to, the subject matter and feelings you want to capture in your painting.  You may have photos you’d like me to work from or just ideas and memories, either is just fine.

I may ask you to tell me which of my paintings you saw that resonated with you, and what it was about those specific pieces that hit you? 

Once I’ve gathered all that information, I’ll create 1-3 small thumbnail  sketches, working out composition, balance and other artsy things 😉 ….then I’ll ask for your feedback on these sketches. Sometimes tweaks are needed, more sketches, more collaboration but eventually, when everyone is happy, I get started on the painting.

When the painting is about 95% complete I’ll send you a a high res photo, and small adjustments can be requested at this point. Once complete, the painting is sealed, varnished and delivered or shipped to you.

The Guidelines

Minimum Size & Price:  I don’t currently charge extra for commissioned work but they do require more time and collaboration. To ensure my time is well spent I have a minimum size which is 500sq/inches – approximately 24″ x 24″ or thereabouts. For your budgeting purposes, a 24 x 24 is priced at $1500 CAD.

Payments: All payments are processed through my galleries. A 50% deposit is required after you’ve approved the sketches, before I begin painting. The final 50% PLUS SHIPPING is required before I (or my gallery) ships the artwork to you. A shipping estimate can be provided before the start of a project based on the size of the commissioned painting. 

PLEASE NOTE: All payment transactions are processed through my galleries.

Below are selected commissions I have created.

I painted this piece for a lovely married couple who had spent a lifetime together on the prairies. After his terminal cancer diagnosis, this is how they chose to remember their years together. His wish, that she could look at this painting everyday to remember him and their love for the prairies, their roots and life together.

The white house and red barn from her family farm, the bright sun breaking through the clouds…a memory of life and love together. An absolute honour for me to paint for them.

“Julie, I thought I’d tell you how much we are enjoying the painting. I was thinking of you as I was driving through the beginnings of a thunderstorm. The clouds and light were just like they are in your paintings! Thank you again for bringing us this joy.”

Serenity

36 x 36

Return To Innocence

16 x 30

Home is Where the Heart Is (Triptych)

24 x 48

Every Day

30 x 48

God’s Country

30 x 40

Badlands To the Bone – Stumpcraft Puzzles

30 x 36