A guide to commissioning custom artwork

Commissioning a unique piece of artwork by an artist in their style is a wonderful way to connect first hand and learn about their working process. Your collaboration and guidance can include choosing size, colour palette, theme, detail particulars etc.

Choose an existing painting from my Wildbird Collection as a starting point, or suggest a new one!

  • Great Blue Heron

  • Russet-crowned Motmot

  • Mountain Bluebirds

  • Purple Finch

  • Hooded Merganser

IMPORTANT DETAILS

  • The Brief Before a commission begins, you, the collector and I, the artist will agree on a “brief”, which includes your choice of bird to be featured in the painting, a work schedule and a final price for artwork and shipping.

  • The Quotation The price for my paintings is determined by size, complexity and schedule. I will send you a price quotation via email and it will be included in the Brief. Quotations are usually valid for a period of 30 days.

  • Time schedule Because I work on several projects at any time, I would prefer a work schedule of 30 days from start to finish. If the commission is time sensitive, this can be discussed ahead of time and agreed upon in the Brief.

  • Deposit I require a 50% deposit to start the commissioned painting. The balance will be paid on completion.

  • Certificate of Authenticity + Copyright The finished artwork will be delivered with a certificate of authenticity, declaring that the painting is authentic, original and a unique piece created solely by me. Under the Canadian Copyrights Act, the artist always retains copyright. The collector acquires ownership of the artwork, but may not reproduce it in any form without the artist’s consent. You, the collector, are welcome to share the image online so long as you credit me for the work. 

ENDORSEMENTS

DUET OF WINTER WRENS 8”X16”

Fluid acrylic + Mixed media including nature printing on mulberry paper, mounted on birch cradle panels.

“I fell in love with Zoë’s work at an Open Studio event she held earlier this year: and learned she does commissions! I asked her to paint a winter wren for my partner for his birthday: and confidently gave her free reign.

Her exquisite layering of media surpassed my expectations and when she presented two wrens I couldn’t decide between them so I chose both! If it is even possible, they look better in person than in these sweet photos. ”

- Rose

BORANUP TRIPTYCH 56”X84”

Acrylic on 3 canvas panels, each depicting a different view of the Boranup Karri Forest, Western Australia.

“This painting of the Boranup Forest is very special to me both because the artist is my sister and because of the beauty of the forest itself. It reminds me of a wonderful road trip we did together, travelling through the South West of Western Australia in 2015. Zoë was keen to paint in situ so we hired a trailer to carry the 3 large canvases down to the forest where Zoë spent time on the forest floor sketching the flora and fauna, sounds and light of this beautiful part of the world. It is also an important piece of art as in December 2021, a bush fire tore through the region and whilst it is slowly rejuvenating, the forest isn’t the same as what Zoë saw and captured. It brings the Australian bush to our living room in Perth, Western Australia and I have the privilege of admiring it every day.”

- Sarah

Ready to order?

If you’re ready to start the commission process, please fill out this form so we can get a conversation going!