Commissioning a painting is not simply about filling a wall. It’s about creating something that holds meaning, presence, and emotional resonance; something that becomes part of your everyday life.

Whether you’re marking a personal milestone, responding to a particular space, or seeking a work that speaks to something intangible you can’t quite put into words, a commissioned artwork enables a deeply personal collaboration between artist and collector.

This guide walks you through commissioning a painting, what to expect from the process, and why choosing custom artwork can be one of the most meaningful ways to live with art.

What Does It Mean to Commission a Painting?

A commissioned painting is a bespoke artwork created specifically for you. Rather than choosing an existing piece, you invite the artist to respond to your story, space, or intention.

In my practice, commissions are not about replicating a past work. They are about translating emotion, memory, and rhythm into a visual language that feels both personal and open-ended; much like life itself.

Each commission is a collaboration built on trust, conversation, and time.

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1000 meters above sea level, 2019 | Project by Chadwick Design | Hartwright House

Why Commission a Custom Painting?

There is something profoundly special about living with a work of art created with you in mind. Commissioned paintings offer benefits that mass-produced or ready-made art simply cannot provide.

A commissioned painting:

• Reflects your inner world, not trends. The work emerges from your personal aesthetic, memories, and emotional landscape rather than what's currently fashionable in the art market.

• Responds to your space without being purely decorative. As an artist, I take into consideration the architecture, light, and energy of where the painting will live, creating work that feels anchored rather than imposed.

• Holds emotional significance that deepens over time. Because the work was created in dialogue with you, it carries layers of meaning that continue to reveal themselves.

• Becomes a quiet witness to your daily life. Custom artwork integrates into the rhythm of your home, marking moments and memories in ways that generic art cannot.

Unlike mass-produced art or prints, a commissioned painting carries presence. It grows with you, becoming part of your personal history—a visual record of who you were when you commissioned it and who you're becoming as you live with it.

If you're dreaming of becoming the owner of a bespoke painting but are unsure of what you really want, consider starting by exploring my existing body of work to understand my visual language and see what resonates with you intuitively.

The Commission Process: What to Expect

While every artist approaches commissions differently, my process is intentionally calm, considered, and human-centred.

1. Initial Enquiry

The process begins with a conversation. You don’t need art terminology or a clear visual brief,  just a sense of what you’re drawn to, why you’re considering a commission, or how you want the work to feel. Some collectors come with references; others arrive with emotions, memories, or questions. All are welcome.

2. Understanding Your Space & Intention

We discuss scale, colour sensibility, and where the painting will live. Photographs of the space are helpful, but the focus is always on atmosphere rather than strict matching. This stage helps the work feel anchored, not imposed.

3. Creative Development

Once the direction is agreed upon, I begin the painting process. My work is intuitive and layered, often drawing on organic rhythms, mark-making, and subtle references to the body and landscape. This stage requires trust and patience. The artwork evolves over time, not through instant decisions.

4. Completion & Delivery

When the painting is complete, you’ll receive final images before delivery or collection. Each commissioned work is accompanied by documentation and care instructions to ensure its longevity.

Composition, 2021 | Private Residence| Dubai, United Emirates

How Long Does a Commission Take?

Commissions are not rushed. Depending on size and complexity, the process typically takes several weeks.

I accept only a limited number of commissions at a time to protect the integrity of the work and the experience. My recommendation is to start the conversation early if you have a deadline you want to meet.

Is Commissioned Art Right for You?

A commission may be right for you if:

* You value meaning over trend

* You’re drawn to abstraction and emotional nuance

* You want to live with art that unfolds over time

* You see art as a relationship, not a transaction

If you’re looking for instant results, managing every detail of the creative process or exact replicas, commissioning may not be the right path and that’s okay. In this case, I'd like to invite you to explore the Available Works Page on my website, or the Collections Page where you can request information on a finished artwork. 

Before Dawn and With the heart wide open, 2023 | Private Residence | Auckland, NZ

How to Request a Commission

If you feel drawn to the idea of commissioning a painting, I invite you to visit the Commissions Page on my website where you can learn more and have your questions answered, or reach out via the Contact Form. Sharing a little about yourself and what’s prompting the enquiry is the perfect place to begin.

Commissioning art is an act of presence; a decision to live more intentionally with what surrounds you.