Commissions

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Commission Process

Commissions are kind of like giving birth. You have high hopes for what it might be and then it surprises you, but always in a great way. I LOVE doing them. I LOVE working directly with a client to ask all sorts of questions, so I can thoroughly understand not only what they want something to look like, but also, what they need it to feel like. I LOVE the challenge of solving that particular kind of puzzle, while relaxing into the flow of intuitive creating. Some artists dread commissions or won’t do them at all. Not me. I LOVE them, but I think I already said that.

Commission Stories

Navy Pier at Midnight

I am blessed to have many wonderful collectors. One particular client of my home gallery has purchased and commissioned quite a few pieces from me. To add to her collection, she had chosen two other paintings of mine and needed another to complete a trio in her stairwell. The tricky part was how to add a third painting that was uniquely its own, yet also could have good conversations with the other two. I think this collector holds my creative vision in very high esteem!
It took me several sessions at the easel to help the third piece find its own voice, while having enough in common with the other two. Navy Pier at Midnight 16×20 hangs below Two Step 16×20 in landscape orientation, and Summer Soiree 24×36 was hung on the right side of the other two, vertically.

Julie's Joy

A gallery client wanted something to capture their love of sunrises, sunsets and mountains and gave me the liberty to let creative inspiration flow for the ultimate abstract scene. I often start with a scripture dedication based on where a painting might hang, in this case their bedroom, so I chose a blessing for their sleep. I put out the colors on my palette and then just start and see what wants to happen.
I expected to make a beachy sunrise or sunset scene when all of a sudden, the mountains showed up. This is the essence of my spiritual practice of painting. I am the tool and I listen for each next step and enjoy watching a painting create itself, with my hand. I always feel a little nervous to show the client the result, but I felt pretty confident Julie would be happy, based on all our talks beforehand. Hugs and squeals are always a great sign and this one did not disappoint. What a feeling and honor to be trusted with someone’s sacred space.
Julie’s feedback: The apprehension of me “letting go” (as I’m very “Type A”) to have a special custom piece created for our sanctuary quickly vanished upon the reveal. Angela, you nailed this on every expectation and beyond. You listened to my requests and loves, took into account all of the colors and lighting for the room, and completely understood my vision. This forever special art brought me JOY on the reveal day and will continue to bring us JOY everyday in the future! You are so talented and made this process so simple. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

The Toughest Commission Ever

A gallery client purchased “Moment to Savor,” 24×30. They needed it to be twice as wide (48×30) and commissioned me to paint “the other half.” Instead of loosely using another painting as a commission inspiration, this one was going to hang next to a painting I had done four years prior, and they needed to look like they were created together as a diptych. Whew! No pressure! Thankfully, I keep color recipes and notes on my paintings, but that doesn’t account for the magic that happens from palette to canvas, when colors merge in unique ways, or a palette knife still has paint on it when I grab another color. Let the work begin!
I started this commission using an unfinished painting (a painting start that I had never gone back to) that happened to be the right size and undertones. It had to get really ugly first, as I added the other colors that needed to be layered in. A “neutral” painting often has a surprising amount of color that helps it connect better with its surroundings. .
The creative process of just showing up to the easel and taking the next indicated move worked! I am so pleased with how it turned out and thankfully, so is the client. In the side by side photo, you’ll see Moment to Savor (original on the left) and Moment to Savor II (2022 commission on the right). Once a 24×30, now a 48×30 diptych.

A Serendipitous Commission

For this commission, I worked with gallery clients who wanted to purchase my 36×36 painting, Coffee Date, but it was too tall to go over their fireplace. They loved the colors and boldness of this piece and needed something equally exciting, but in a shorter height. We embarked on the commission process and pure magic happened!
We did a consultation over zoom and I asked all the questions, such as, “What do you love about Coffee Date (the reference painting) and what do you NOT love? What needs to be different?” They said, “Nothing. We would have bought it on the spot had it been the right size.”
I explained that their commissioned piece could be similar, but it wouldn’t be a duplicate. For one, the size difference wouldn’t allow that, going from square to rectangular. But the main thing to know is that a painting wants to do what a painting wants to do—they truly have a mind/spirit of their own! The clients were good with that as long as it was “in the family” and bold like Coffee Date.
As I worked on this piece, I noticed that various musical elements began to appear. I felt like I was creating a jazz piece or something, whereas the other one wasn’t musical, really. I trusted the process and let its story unfold.
When I began to consider what to name it, Concierto No. 1 just popped into my head. It’s crazy how paintings often name themselves with a very clear title that simply surfaces when I ask about it. With that name, I knew for sure that someone in the famiiy must have musical talent, musical connections, or something musical.​
When the painting was picked up, the gallery consultant asked them if anyone in the family was musically-inclined. The husband said, “Oh yes, I am. I’m also one of the directors of music at Vanderbilt University.
Is that crazy or what?! This is why I love making art. There is a spiritual component in the creative process who loves to delight and surprise us. In addition to having a beautiful, custom piece in their home, my sweet clients will always know this creation unfolded just for them.
When they came back in with the framed piece to have a photo taken with me during an event, I was overcome with gratitude and a strong awareness that they had as much to do with the creation of this piece as I did. We did it together! They joked that I had a little more to do with it than they did, but is that really true? Without them, it wouldn’t exist. Without me, it wouldn’t exist. We did it together.
Maybe we’re not all artists who can create a painting by holding the brush, but through the commission process, everyone can create an original. Happy clients, ecstatic me! I love my job. What can I create for you?
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I have a desire to focus on my wellbeing with my mind body and soul, and at the retreat, I had a shift in my outlook for my future. I would recommend something like this for women of all ages. Women tend to invest in other people besides themselves, but when you feel a nudge, go with it and invest in yourself! This retreat ignited me to look inside and give myself grace. Just having other women around me encouraged me to quit hiding and allow myself to be who God created me to be. 

Even though I had never painted before, I felt that nudge to go on this trip anyway and I’m very grateful I did. I had an infusion of love, kindness and passion poured into me that caused a shift in my overall wellbeing. When you put powerful women together, it ignites a fire and a friendship that no one can put out. As a group, you become elevated to a higher level! You learn to enjoy the next step to becoming a better YOU. I’m very, very thankful I went. I’m already registered for 2024 and I upgraded myself to an oceanfront king room this time because I’m worth it!”

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The food in the house was great. It is actually difficult for me to do group activities, so I was stretching myself and was glad I did. I appreciated the Zoom meeting before the retreat and I felt well prepared. I would have been terrified to go into a retreat where I hadn’t “met” some of the people in advance. As a result of the retreat, I am more rested, and I have lots of photos for painting inspiration!

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I felt like Angela was a wonderful retreat facilitator. There was nothing left to want or need. I really enjoyed the trip and was able to unwind. Angela’s retreat was very meaningful to me and I loved the changes that I saw in the other women as well. I can’t wait for next year and have already reserved my spot!”

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Amy J.

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I know many people take beach vacations all the time, but for me, it had been way too many years. I can honestly say that I’ve never had such a fun and fulfilling vacation as I had this week at the beach with my peers. The ability to not just rest and relax, but also to build deep friendships, laugh till we cried, create beauty together and celebrate each other was amazing. The unconditional love in the house was palpable.  

And the physical beauty of the sunrises, sunsets and beach time was unreal. I ACTUALLY SWAM WITH A POD OF WILD DOLPHINS!!!! This was the most euphoric moment of my life. Booking for 2024 was a no-brainer and I’m so excited to return!” 

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