A personal commissioned portrait brings life to a family’s photographic history, each piece with its own narrative; telling the story of the person behind the image. It can represent a link to a family’s past and provide a visual legacy for its future. A piece can capture a point in time in the ever changing life of a child, or evoke the memory of a loved one. I am also doing a limited number of pet portraits.

HERE IS HOW TO GET STARTED ON YOUR OWN COMMISSIONED PIECE:

Contact me through the contact form or directly through email to begin the conversation. Think about the size and direction of the piece. Do you know where the piece will hang?

• SELECT YOUR IMAGE(S): Even if damaged through age, a photo can be still be used. If you have several images please submit them, because some images will read better than others. Images submitted can be in printed or digital formats. Please be sure that your digital photos are hi res (at least 4x6 and 300 dpi). All originals will be returned unharmed when commission is completed. (When selecting your images It is important to remember that darker areas of an image will be more opaque, and therefore photos and items in the background will not show through as clearly.)

• INCLUDING PERSONAL ITEMS: When commissioning a piece you will want to incorporate personal items to help create a biographical background. You may choose to include a childhood drawing, a favored poem, a report card, hand or foot print, birth certificate, achievement award, a prayer, or a special sentiment written specially for this commission. A swatch of fabric from an item such as a baby quilt or wedding dress can also be incorporated. (If you do not wish for me to glue down the original items, they can be scanned and printed on vintage papers.) I will also need a history or biography of the subject to be submitted in writing. Any information you can provide will be helpful in making the piece more personal.

• DELIVERY: After all of the background items have been delivered to me, please allow 2-4 weeks for completion. I will be in touch during mid process to let you know how the piece is evolving.


50% up front 50% upon completion
This is a sample price list with different size options
PRICE LIST
8" X 8" $200
8" X 10" $250
10" X 10" $300
12" X 12" $400
11" X 14" $400
12" X 24" $500
14" X 17" $600
16" X 20" $700
20" X 20" $800
18" X 24" $800
13" X 30" $900
24" X 30" $900
24" X 36" $1100
30" X 30" $1200
30" X 36" $1300
25" X 60" $1800
36" X 38" $1700
40" x 40" $ 2000
36" X 48" $2200
45" X 45" $2500
50" X 50" $ 3000
44" X 84" $ 4500

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TIPS FOR SCANNING YOUR IMAGES

Try to scan your image in at the highest resolution (300 dpi is ideal).

Don't worry if the scan is not perfect, I can always edit the photos. I usually adjust the size of the images to fit the canvas. Let me know if you would like me to crop, change colours, or do anything special to the photo. Please name the file according to who or what is in the image.



VISUAL TIPS FOR YOUR CUSTOM PIECE
Try to narrow down your selection of photos as much as possible. Generally, the less elements there are, the better the composition will look. I highly recommend using ONE main image with a collection of documents in the background. Another option is having one dominant image with 2 or 3 small images that are much less dominant.

WHAT KIND OF IMAGES OR EPHEMERA CAN BE SCANNED AND MADE INTO CUSTOM ART?
- vintage family photos
- vintage portraits
- anything from your personal photo collection
- hand written letters
- birth certificates
- wedding certificates
- wallpaper
- report cards
- house blueprints
- old maps
- food recipes
- fabrics can also be scanned in and used as a pattern in the background
- anything that is special to you or the person you wish to give this piece to.

CAN THE ORIGINAL PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS BE USED IN THE CUSTOM PIECE?
I usually work from photocopies but I can use the original documents (letters, certificates..etc) just not original photographs. You can mail the documents to me.

WHAT KIND OF WOOD IS USED?
My pieces are handmade in house. Backing board is luan or MDF. The wood frame is from salvage wood. Salvage wood has its own qualities and colors about it. I can work with the wood to get it to what you want, but please know we are trying to help the environment and the wood is already in its natural state from being rescued.

WHAT IS THE ART COATED WITH?
I use Entropy Resin Super Sap Clear. This is currently the most environmentally friendly resin product on the market. It gives a high gloss look.
It is a two part liquid that is mixed, poured, then blow torched to release bubbles. It can take 24-48 hours to dry.
Resin is not glass, it has its own unique look.If you don't want resin I can leave it off, but the piece will not look exactly as my show pieces do.

WHAT IS THE LONGEVITY OF RESIN?
This resin is UV certified for 50 years. Although I don't suggest hanging the piece in direct sunlight, you could, know the resin won't turn.

HOW IS THE PRICE OF THE ART BROKEN DOWN?
photocopying: ranges from $20 to $80 per piece depending on the size and how many photos and documents you have.
wood cutting and cleaning as well as base wood: $10 to $100 depending on size.
resin: $100 per 2 gallons. Ranging from $10 to $100 depending on the size of the canvas.
added vintage paper materials: $5-$10 (usually minimal depending on how much ephemera I am given).