Why Commission an Artwork?
"Patrick", a commission requested by a client for his good friend. 30" x 22", gouache on paper.
In simple terms, commissioning an artwork means requesting the creation of a custom piece. This has been a common practice throughout history, where both rulers (individuals) and governments requested commissioned art as a demonstration of their power and wealth. The pieces could be either public or private artworks, and most commonly took the form of paintings, sculptures, and architecture.
The Colosseum in Rome is an example of public architecture, initially commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian, as a symbol of imperial glory. In the Renaissance, commissioned visual art became very popular, thanks to the patronage of many wealthy merchants in Italian cities. Self-fashioning was possible by giving the artist detailed directions, and even instructing the artist what to include in the work, so the patron could fashion his/her identity to his/her liking. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were among the many artists who made a living by doing commissions.
In the 20th century, artists like Picasso and Andy Warhol popularized commissions. Warhol created the famous Pop-Art silk-screened portraits of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger and John Lennon. But today, you don’t need to be a celebrity, nor a wealthy merchant to commission a painting! Many artists make commissioning art an affordable and rewarding option for their clients who value art, and want to be involved in the creative process.
Why would someone want a custom painting or sculpture today? I think there are multiple reasons people commission artworks, that have little to do with displaying wealth and power. People love to support the arts and artists whose work they believe in; they want to celebrate the uniqueness of their story and passions; and they want to be reminded of their accomplishments in an artwork they can see every day. People want to memorialize someone, themselves, a pet or a cherished airplane; and they want meaningful art in the form of an heirloom they can pass down for generations. And finally-- and this is always important-- people like to participate in the creative process, by collaborating with an artist.
My first commission was for a client who wanted a painting that was already sold. I promised to paint him something similar, but customized to him, and that became a new and exciting way for me to work.
Sigari Pitts, Gouache on paper, (approximately 30" x 20" 2010).
My first group of commissioned works were for aviators, and depicted their airplanes in my style. At the time, I often used aeronautical maps in my work, and clients began requesting certain regions be depicted in the paintings. After that, clients started asking for specific text they would send me. And little by little, the process gained traction from there.
"Kisser #1" Gouache and aquatint on paper, 24" x 18" 2012.
"Thore #1" Gouache and aquatint on paper, 24" x 18", 2012.
"Jim" Gouache and aquatint on paper, 24" x 18", 2015.
"Sea Fury" Gouache and aquatint on paper, 24" x 18", 2020.
Now, I do commissions for all kinds of people and include all kinds of imagery. It’s a challenging process— almost like a puzzle for me, to figure out which elements to incorporate, and at what scale, and how everything works together. My paintings often surprise me because of that, because they aren’t paintings I would produce on my own. I just wouldn’t think of the client’s specific imagery! It’s a very collaborative process, and both the client and I need to expect a certain amount of unknown. I often don’t know exactly how the piece will come together, and the client can’t know what I’m envisioning.
"Phillip" Gouache on paper. 30” x 22”, 2023.
"Ross" Gouache on paper. 30” x 22”, 2024.
So, there is a lot of trust involved, and I feel grateful when someone trusts my artistic vision in that way. It also puts a different kind of pressure on me: both to produce within a designated time frame, and to create a work that speaks to the uniqueness and passions of that individual.
How does the process work? Usually, it starts with a conversation about what the client has in mind. I'll ask a lot of questions: what paintings do they like that I've done? What imagery do they have in mind? Is there a specific location in the house it will go? What are the colors in that room? Is there a quote or a place (map) they want to see? Sometimes I'll do a preliminary sketch, but not always. It depends on the person and how much they want to be involved. Some people just want to leave it up to me and be surprised. I often work from people's photographs if they want to see their pet or airplane; and I research to find other images of plants, flowers, maps etc.
"Ben" Gouache on paper, 22" x 30", 2022.
Recently, someone asked me which type of painting I prefer: doing my own body of work, or doing commissions. I said I like both, and like to do both concurrently. If I only did commissions, I wouldn't be developing my own voice and ideas. And if I only did my own work, I wouldn’t experience the challenge and tremendous satisfaction of working with another person. So I truly need to do both!
"Court" Gouache on paper, 30" x 22" 2024.
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the results of the collaborations I've had the opportunity to do lately. I recently told a friend (who is also a commission-client) that I felt he was in the studio with me during the month I was making his painting, and this is true every time. I'm always thinking of that person's uniqueness, while working to make an artwork that appeals to their sensibilities and honors their life. It's a gift for me as well!
With love, ❤️
Lise