“My custom-made painting is the central artwork in my dining room. It’s the true star of the room and it brings the whole room together…”
-Lisa Reardon, Alamo, USA
How to commission a unique original artwork
I’m available for commissions. Here’s some of the custom art I’ve created for past commissions and below you’ll find information about what’s involved in ordering a unique commissioned artwork. Have a read, and then let’s talk!
Step 1: Decide your preferences (or delight me with an open brief!)
Open brief commissions that specify little more than the size of the canvas and maybe something like the "feel" or the artwork, or the level of abstraction you like, or the colour range you'd prefer me to work with are my favorite! So don't feel that you have to give me lots of direction - an open brief is an artist's dream!
Having said that, if you do have some specific preferences, I really want to hear them so we can check that my work is a good fit for what you’re looking for, and so that I can create an artwork you’ll love.
Have a look through my artwork and notice what you like most. You can create a Pinterest board about your preferences and share it with me, or just email me at cath@cathduncan.com with your notes, including links for any of my artworks or any other images you wish to share to let me know what you love.
Step 2: Decide your budget
I price on size and I don’t charge extra for commissions, so you can browse my original artworks to get a sense of my pricing. Shipping is an additional cost, so remember to consider shipping costs, especially if the artwork will need to be shipped internationally. I'll be happy to let you know shipping estimates for different sizes.
I'll be shipping from the Netherlands. International shipping costs are based on size more than weight, so large artworks can be costly to ship internationally. If your artwork is rendered on canvas rather than a hard surface, then it's an option to remove the painted canvas from its frame and send it to you rolled. You would need to get a local framer to stretch the canvas onto a frame then, and this would be at your own risk and cost.
Step 3: We'll agree the commission plan
We’ll have a conversation to check that I’ve understood what you’re hoping for. I’ll provide you with the price for the artwork/s and an estimate of the shipping costs. I’ll ask you for a non-refundable 30% deposit payment on the artwork to confirm your commission order. The rest of the payment will be due on completion / acceptance of the artwork at step 5.
I’ll let you know how soon I’ll be able to start it and a rough idea of the timeline. Let me know if you have any strict deadlines for completion so I can consider whether I can commit to that.
Step 4: I'll create the artwork/s
If inspired, I might create more than one artwork, even if you’ve only commissioned one. In that case, you’ll get to choose which one you love most.
I don’t share progress images during the process because the layered way that I work means that the artworks can change so much.
Step 5: You select and purchase your artwork/s
Once the artwork/s are complete, you’ll be able to view them. I’ll send you photos and/ or video of the artworks if you’re not local to me.
If wished, I’ll be able to make minor changes that wouldn’t damage the artwork. If you don’t feel that the artwork/s I’ve created for you fit with what you expected, you may use your 30% payment towards any other artwork I sell.
Once we’ve agreed that the artwork is complete, I’ll varnish it for you for additional protection, I’ll ask you for your final artwork and shipping payments, and I’ll prepare your artwork/s for safe shipping.
Finally, please note that my business model includes selling prints of my original artworks, including any commissioned artworks. If your commissioned artwork feels deeply personal and you don’t want prints to be sold, let me know. That’s fine, but I would need to charge more for the original artwork.
Keen to commission an artwork?
Wonderful! Get in touch when you're ready with your preferences: cath@cathduncan.com.
“We love how you’ve captured the colours and textures of Dubbo so beautifully. You wouldn’t know you haven’t been to Dubbo.
Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU. We love our artwork and it fits perfectly into the space. In the morning, it’s just like the landscape outside - so vibrant and warm. In the late afternoon when the light isn’t directly on it, the colours match the dusty mutedness of the colours outside. So cool.”
— Lucinda & Sam Paynter, Australia
“We are overwhelmed with your generosity of spirit and LOVE the result. We are amazed at how perfectly you captured our own enthusiasm for life in all its imperfection and perfection.
Words can't capture how much we have been moved by the experience of commissioning the triptych, the lovely video presentation and the description of the artistic process. We are thoroughly enjoying the pieces displayed in our front room.
Just saying fabulous doesn't quite cover it. Thank you for giving so much of yourself and your artistic vision to this commission. We cherish the memory of working with you and enjoy having such vibrant works cheerfully and lovingly greet us each day.”
— Lynne & Chip Staley, IL, USA
“I love having a unique piece of art on my walls. It tells a story and is very personal and precious.
I was initially a little nervous about the commission as I really didn’t give you a huge amount of guidance about what I was after. I know I saw some artwork of yours that I liked and also said what I don’t like. I was thrilled with the end result and really felt you listened to me and my very vague instructions.
The colours are wonderful and I love the tranquil feel of the artwork. I love looking at it. It's so peaceful and tranquil yet interesting.”
— June Paynter, Australia
“It looks AMAZING! I mean, it's just perfect. I'm just so overcome with how you absolutely nailed it.
So rich! The layering, the texture, the highs and lows.... So much fuuuunnnn!
The story you wrote about the artwork is everything too. I mean, like huge lump in my throat. The video where you showed me the surfaces and all the yummy bits is insanely gorgeous.
People often walk in and ask me about it and I have a meaningful backstory about when and where it was made, and I share the poem that you wrote about it too. People LOVE that extra layer of meaning.
I also share how your art inspired my art and I've put my sculpture below it so the two pieces are together in their own sort of story.”
— Lisa Reardon, Alamo, USA
“Can’t explain the joy every time I wake up and see the morning light hit it.”
— Simone Roig, The Netherlands