There are usually two ways this begins.

Sometimes, someone comes to me already knowing—they’ve been following my work, they’ve seen a painting that hit home, and now they want something similar, but personal. Other times, it happens in conversation. A collector starts telling me about their land, their family’s ranch, or a place that means something to them. That’s when I’ll say: You know, we could create something that’s just for you—something specific to your life.

If that idea lights a spark, we start the process.

I always prefer to visit the site if possible—walk the land, watch how the light shifts, take my own photos, and get a feel for the character of the place. But if travel isn’t an option, I can work from personal photos. (I’ll just want to see as many as you can gather—not all photos are created equal!)

From there, I sit with the reference material, pull from my own archive of textures and sketches, and start building a few directions. Once I’ve got something I’m excited about, I’ll send a proposal with notes and image references so we can talk about what feels right.

If we decide to move forward, I’ll provide a quote based on size and complexity. A 50% deposit holds your spot in my schedule. We’ll talk about timing (commissions typically take 3–6 months, plus drying and shipping), and then I begin.

My first step in the studio is a color study. It’s a way for me to start working through the palette and the structure of the painting. It helps me find the emotional tone, and it’s something you can purchase separately if you’re interested—it makes a pretty special companion piece.

Then comes the full painting. I’ll stay in touch throughout the process, but I usually wait until I’m about three-quarters of the way through before sending any images—because let’s be honest, the early layers can be a little… alarming. (Trust me, it’s best to avoid that moment of panic!) But I do take photos as I go, so at the end you’ll be able to see how the whole thing came together. That part is really fun.

When it’s finished, I’ll send a final image for your approval. The remaining balance is due at that time, and then I ship or hand-deliver your painting with care.

Framing isn’t included in the pricing, but I work with a few excellent framers and am happy to help coordinate—whether that’s local drop-off, pickup, or shipping to you directly.