Frequently Asked Questions

Whether it’s a pet, a friend or a fictional favorite, I love bringing your ideas to life! I offer custom pieces created either digitally or with traditional oil paint. Which medium you choose is totally up to you!

I also offer framing services for commissioned oil paintings, for an additional cost of the frame and labor. Your piece will be mounted to a special canvas floater frame. Color options available. Please note that framing may also increase production time, as well as shipping costs due to weight.

Getting started is simple. Reach out through my commission contact form with your request and questions. I will get back to you, via email, within 24 hours to start the commission process and discuss next steps.

I will send you updates throughout the process, so you are always aware of how the piece is looking. In return I ask for clear, honest feedback to ensure you are satisfied with the finished product.

For oil commissions, you have until before varnishing to request small changes (ie - slight color changes, minor feature adjustments). Major changes (ie - adding/removing a subject, background changes other than color) after the piece is finished will result in additional time and cost to the customer. Please note that once a painting is varnished, I can no longer make any changes.

If you are commissioning a portrait of a pet or actual person, please make sure to have several clear, well-lit, clear photos available for me to use as references. Photos with moody lighting also make for great paintings. I may come back with a request for more photos if I feel I need them.

Please be as thorough as possible in your request in terms of background, expression, lighting, color theme, etc.

For oil commissions, prices are determined by the size of the canvas and complexity of the request. Standard pricing starts at a flat rate $50.00 for anything smaller than 8 × 8 inches; after that it’s $1.00 per square inch, plus additional costs for more than one subject.

Digital commissions are priced out by subject and have a set pricing model as follows (regardless of size):

• portrait (torso and up) - $25

• full body - $35

• scene - $45

A 50% deposit (excluding any shipping, delivery, framing fees) is required up front to hold your place. The remaining 50% + any framing, shipping, delivery fees is required prior to receipt of your piece.

If you are local to the Chicagoland area, I can offer the option to meet at a public place for a flat delivery fee of $10. Anything further than a 10 mile radius will require shipping.

You have within the first 24 hours of the agreement to cancel and receive your full deposit back. After 24 hours, the up-front deposit is non-refundable. Payments are accepted via PayPal.

The length of time depends on whether you are commissioning me for a digital piece or oil painting.

I would plan about 1-2 weeks for digital pieces. For oil paintings please allow for at least a month for production, followed by 1-2 weeks for shipping.

If you are looking to commission a piece from me to give as a gift, please plan your timing accordingly. Holidays can be especially busy so book in advance!

Please note that start times begin when I start the piece, not necessarily when the deposit is received, though I will be as upfront as possible with a tentative timeline.

If you are commissioning an oil painting, you will receive your finished piece on stretched cotton canvas, unframed. The final painting will be varnished to provide protection from dust, UV, cracking, etc. I typically use a semi-gloss varnish, but if you prefer a matte or glossier version please let me know up front. If you want you piece framed, I’m happy to do so for an additional charge; I can also offer suggestions on the type of frame to buy if you choose to do it yourself.

Your painting will be wrapped in plastic, followed by acid-free paper for both protection and presentation. If shipped, the item will be packed with care in a padded box.

If you commissioned a digital piece, you will receive the final product as a PDF file, shared via Dropbox. You are responsible for printing the piece yourself.

If cared for properly, oil paintings can last for decades and longer. To help with this, I apply 2-3 coats of varnish to every piece. This acts as a protective barrier from UV light, moisture and atmospheric pollutants.

When displaying your piece, try to do so where it will not be subjected to direct sunlight or extreme temperature changes. If framing the piece yourself, keep the painting “open” by removing the frame’s glass panel or using a special floater frame designed for stretched canvases. This allows the painting to breath and prevents moisture buildup, which could damage the surface of the painting.

To remove dust or dirt, use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the surface. Never use soap or anything abrasive on a painting.

I do not accept commissions that depict or represent violence, racism, bigotry, etc. to any specific group of people or persons. I retain the right to deny commission requests if they fall under one of those categories.

You can reach me anytime via the form on my contact page or email. My goal is to respond quickly, usually within 24 hours - with the exception of holidays.

Original pieces will be packed and shipped by me.

If you purchase a print, you will be purchasing through INPRNT, an artist-run and curated online store and print-on-demand service. They offer gallery-quality giclée art prints, produced on 100% cotton rag archival paper and printed with archival inks. They also have a variety of other print options such as canvas, acrylic and metal. Your item will be printed and shipped by INPRNT, directly.

I always want my clients to be completely satisfied with any piece they receive from me, whether it’s a commission or purchasing a ready-made artwork.

If you have any issues with the piece you receive, whether a commission or something from my shop, please reach out to me immediately so that we can work out a resolution. Refunds are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.