Commission a Custom Abstract Painting
An original piece, created for your space, your story, and the way you want it to feel.
Start a Commission Conversation
Why I Love Doing Commissions
The commission process is a challenge of interpretation and response. I love working directly with a client — asking lots of questions so I can thoroughly understand not only what you want a painting to look like, but what you need it to feel like.
Some artists dread commissions, or won't do them at all. Not me. I love the challenge of solving that puzzle while relaxing into the flow of intuitive creating. Every commission is a collaboration, and every one ends with a piece that couldn't have existed without you.
The Commission Process
We talk.
A free, no-pressure consultation, usually over Zoom. I ask a lot of questions to understand both what you want the painting to look like and what you need it to feel like. Some clients describe colors, mood, where the piece will hang, or paintings of mine they're drawn to. Others come with just an idea. Both are great starting points.
We agree on the essentials.
Size, color palette, mood, where it will hang, timeline, and pricing. I won't start until I have the clarity and confidence to succeed — I want you to love it.
I create.
Most commissions take 8 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer for larger pieces or multi-painting sets. I rarely share progress photos — original art is a creation that unfolds, and there is a spiritual component to the creative process that's part of what makes each piece one of a kind. Occasionally I'll send a photo if I have a specific question.
The reveal.
When the piece is ready, I share the finished work. One revision round is included at no charge if anything feels off. If after the reveal a client chooses not to continue, the balance due is canceled. I keep the work plus the 50% non-refundable deposit for time and materials. In practice, this has never happened—but it's there as your peace of mind.
Delivery.
Free local delivery within 75 miles of downtown Nashville. For everyone else, packing and shipping are estimated up front (domestic typically runs about 20% of the commission price). International shipping is available and quoted in our initial conversation.
Size, Timeline & Investment
Sizes
From small accent pieces to large statement works and multi-painting sets — diptychs, triptychs, and companion pieces that hang together.
Timeline
Most commissions take 8 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer for larger pieces or sets. Timing also depends on how many commissions are already in the queue ahead of yours, so it's wise to reach out early — especially for holiday gifts or specific deadlines.
Investment
Pricing is based on size, with additional factors for complexity (multi-painting sets or companion pieces). As a guide, a commission typically runs about 25–30% more than an available painting the same size. A 36" × 36" available painting is $1,975; a 36" × 36" commission begins around $2,500.
A 50% non-refundable deposit reserves your spot on the calendar and begins the project. The remaining 50% — plus shipping if applicable — is due upon final approval of the work, before the painting ships. While many artists include shipping in the retail price, my pricing is kept lower (exclusive of shipping) for the many collectors within 75 miles of Nashville.
Commission Stories
A look inside a few custom pieces created for collectors' homes — the questions, the process, and the surprises that unfolded along the way.
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.
“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. Once a 24×30, Moment to Savor is now a 48×30 diptych hanging alongside its 2022 commissioned partner, Moment to Savor II.
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 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. 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. 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. With that name, I knew for sure that someone in the family must have musical talent or connections.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I commission a piece similar to one already in your gallery?
Yes — that's a common starting point. Your commission won't be a duplicate (each piece is one of a kind), but it can carry the same colors, mood, and feel as a piece you love.
What if I don't love the finished painting?
In practice, this hasn't happened — because the preliminary discussions are very thorough. I won't begin the work until I'm confident I understand both what you want it to look like and what you want it to feel like. One revision session is included at no charge. If after the reveal a client chooses not to continue, the balance due is canceled. I keep the work plus the 50% non-refundable deposit for time and materials. That 'out clause' is yours for peace of mind.
Do you ship?
Yes. Local delivery is free within 75 miles of downtown Nashville. Domestic and international shipping are available and estimated in our initial conversation. Domestic packing and shipping typically runs about 20% of the commission price.
Can I commission a diptych, triptych, or companion piece?
Absolutely. Multi-painting sets are some of the most rewarding work I do — see The Toughest Commission Ever story above for an example.
How far in advance should I book?
Timing depends on how many commissions are already in the queue. Reaching out early is always wise, especially for holiday gifts or specific deadlines.
What are your deposit and payment terms?
A 50% non-refundable deposit reserves your spot on the calendar and begins the project. The remaining 50% — plus shipping if applicable — is due upon final approval of the work, before the painting ships.
Ready to begin?
Tell me a little about your space and what you're imagining — there's no obligation, and the first conversation is always free.
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