I used my Zoom with June time this morning to work on a special request from an old friend. She had a picture taken from her father’s property up north and asked me to paint it for her. She also asked if I could add a deer into it. She dropped off the photo yesterday and I felt like jumping right into it this morning.

I am nervous about taking commissions because I like to do my own thing and have my own unique style. I’m always concerned that what I make will disappoint the person who requested the artwork. So my policy is to take commissions and work them how I feel works for me and when I’m finished they can chose to buy it or not. And since I’m happy with what I’ve painted if they don’t want it, I can keep it myself or enter it into a show.

That said, I think this painting turned out really well. I feel I captured the location and feel of the photo and I think the deer adds interest in the foreground. I’m confident my friend will appreciate the painting and be happy with the result.

Tonight was the student and teacher appreciation night at Anton Art Center and we got a sneak peek at the Michigan Annual show that opens tomorrow. I am so impressed by the quality of artwork in this show and am honored to have had a piece included. I’ve picked out my favorites, so it’ll be exciting to see how they compare to the judge’s choices tomorrow. My friends are coming to the opening tomorrow so that is exciting as well.

Have you ever accepted a commission for an artwork; how do you manage the process?