Introducing "Soft Commissions"

"Roving Storm, Austin Creek" 10x30 inches. Oil on linen mounted to board.

This was a painting based on a hike up Armstrong Redwoods all the way to the massive yet little-visited state park called Austin Creek State Recreation Area. I don't know if a lot of people realize it, but there is a vast network of foothills that dominate most of the landscape of northwest Sonoma County. This park lets you see miles and miles across the landscape of Northern California.

Introducing "Soft Commissions"

I just sold this painting directly to someone who was interested in a "rainy looking scene" but had bought paintings from me years ago. I had time between shows so I was able to make this. It was actually not something I painted specifically for them. In fact, I was originally going to take this painting to my local gallery. This got me to thinking: what if I offered this officially to my subscribers?

Process

1. Become a subscriber to my official newsletter by signing up here: Signup Form

   This will signal to me that you are a serious collector.

2. Suggest to me a painting subject that you are interested in, along with a possible budget and dimensions for the desired finished piece.

3. If it’s a subject that I have reference for, or want to procure that reference, I will let you know, then I will create a piece based on what you are interested in.

4. The piece will be done using my own artistic sensibilities, so it’s not a true commission in the sense that you dictate the painting. Once it’s revealed, you get a choice of either buying the piece outright, or holding it via deposit, then paying the rest in installments.

5. If you want the piece, great! I will create a custom listing for you to buy the piece directly. If you don’t want the piece, that’s ok. I will then list it on my web shop, and next I send an email out to my other newsletter subscribers, where one of them can then claim the piece if they like it.

6. If after a week the piece has not been claimed, I will then post the piece to social media as usual.

Pros

• No commitment -- you choose whether or not you like the piece. No money needed to suggest a painting you might want! No written agreement beyond your request is necessary.

• No commission premium -- I usually add a premium to commissioned work due to the nature of commissions. This eliminates the need for that.

• Flexibility for both the artist and the client. Since the final picture is dictated by my artistic sensibilities, I will create the painting as I see fit, then you can decide if you like it or not.

• Exclusive first look and first right of refusal

Cons

• Lack of input on final piece.

• Limited amount of time available to claim a piece: pieces must be claimed early in order to secure them. This is meant to be a quick-moving project.

• Changes to the final piece would cost extra on top of the asking price.

• Pieces are worked on as I have the time. Priority can fluctuate.

  
  

I am hoping to do one or two pieces a month, depending on what sort of commission requests I receive.

If this sounds interesting to you, and you always had an idea for something you wanted to own, but a traditional commission always felt intimidating, this is for you!

Examples:

"A bear in the redwood forest"

"Rocky Point, Big Sur"

"My wife's favorite flowers are (_____)"

Or whatever you like!

Thanks, and I hope to hear from you soon!