Each year, I take on a limited number of art commissions in the style of my current portfolio for business, nonprofit and private clients. At the start of a commission agreement, I ask the client questions to better understand their interests and values, their desired outcome for the project and the space they have in mind for the commissioned work. Using their input, I then create an individual painting or grouping to suit a specific space, colour scheme and budget. The client gets a number of opportunities to see the painting(s) in progress and provide input before I ship/deliver the final work.
Client Case: Birketts LLP
When the law firm Birketts hired me to create a series of paintings for the entryway and meeting rooms in their new office in Bristol, UK, they were excited to create a welcoming space for clients and employees. They wanted artwork that would bring vibrancy to their space and incorporate iconic local landmarks. I drafted a proposal that included some rough thumbnail paintings and a menu of potential painting sizes within their budget.
From there, I met with partners from Birketts to get a better sense of what colour palettes and Bristol landmarks they responded to, as well as what paintings would go in various locations around the office.
Once they selected the local landmarks to be featured in the paintings, they decided to name their meeting spaces after the landmarks. I loved this plan! I ordered six canvases in the sizes they selected and got to work.
I started by playing with different colour fields and compositions, then incorporating the selected Bristol landmarks: the suspension bridge, cathedral, Seven Sisters trees on the Downs, M Shed cranes and colourful terraced houses.
All went well until I hit one snag with the large painting that would hang in the entryway of the Birketts office: the terraced houses just didn't work. Their colours and shapes looked wonky in the painting. I polled the partners, who helpfully agreed to trade the terraced houses for the SS Great Britain. Yes! This was a much better fit for the piece. Here, you can see the masts coming through the mist.
I finished the paintings just as the Birketts team was moving into their new space. After signing the paintings, adding hardware and a few other finishing touches, it was time to deliver the work. Delivery day was a rare snowy day in Bristol and I am a new UK driver, so I had a tense (obscenity-heavy?) drive to the centre -- but the art and I made it in one piece.
Here are some shots of the work in situ. The Birketts team were fabulous, enthusiastic clients and it was a joy to help them make their new office a vibrant, welcoming place for employees and clients alike.
Feel free to contact me via email with questions.