Holmby Mansion commission

My friend Cristina Capitanio of Sorelle Fine Arts is a wonderful muralist and decorator. She works with her sister and they are used to high-end work in imposing mansions and homes. I got this commission through her kind recommendation since the client didn't need strictly a fresco or a wall painting but a panel. Meant to cover some unsightly electric boxes in the main living areas, these panels were of "free" subject matter as the clients were a bit vague on what they wanted. The panels are not contiguous.

I chose "California Gold" as my open-ended theme and went to work. For the cliffs, I obtained permission to use a photo from someone that had posted in on Flickr. I added a few details like seagulls, clouds and the like. The second scene is from a picture I took in Sweetzer Falls during last spring. I added the autumnal colors and ... a mule deer. Alas, the deer was universally disliked by all, including the client. So shoo deer! disappear! Spooked by the general consensus I painted her over. Size is 30"x24" and it's oil on canvas.

Some exciting commissions

This month I've been tremendously busy with commissions. Most of them have been a chance to meet wonderful people. It is a strange rapport when someone gives you an art commission. On one hand you want to please them of course, on the other hand they have to be " open" enough or agree with your view, your level of achievable detail, etc....

In no other subject I've received more categorical advice from fellow artists. Some favor payment beforehand, payment for every sketch previous to the final piece, a staged plan, etc... I am lucky that I do not make my living from art just yet so I am very loose when it comes to commitment, basically, "you don't like it, you don't have to buy it " is my rule. And "liking" it is impossible to predict , unlike, say, plumbing. Naturally, if it was a hefty commission as far as the work involved I might have to add some safeguards. Most importantly, the client must have seen something in your style that he/she likes.

I painted this view of a Baltimore street using Google Earth. The client asked for the addition of certain details like the specific cars seen here. It is not the first piece of art I see using Google by the way.

This other piece was painted on location, the house of the client. He liked the view of downtown Los Angeles from the porch, and it was quite a view. He only asked for some minor adjustment to the sky color after he saw the final piece.

A nice commission piece.

It took me two attempts until I got this right but I am happy I put the extra effort. The owner's of this ranch style beauty wanted a portrait of their house...an the amazing rose bushes in the front. I arrived in the afternoon and the light was ok but did not frame the roses properly. The next morning I arrived early and the piece painted itself. I gave the owners both pieces since not only are they very nice but they already bought two previous paintings.