Custom Art Means Accepting Commissions

I accepted the job of painting a custom sign for a cabin owner. This is a larger version of one that I did 10 years ago, one that fell apart from being out in the weather.

He asked me in July, and the summer got hot, as summers do in Tulare County. Because he wasn’t in a hurry (bless you, Mr. Customer!), I just piddled along, and then stopped for a few weeks when it was just too hot in the painting workshop. 

Suddenly, the heat quit, so I returned to the project.

It is a little bit too hard for me, so there is a fair amount of thinking, trying, erasing, waiting, and trying again. Here are the steps.

I am working from the old sign and don’t remember what the source was for this Norse god of winter, named Ullr.

I changed the border color from yellow to a more pleasing yellowish green.

A little bit at a time, because this is just difficult.

What is so hard? Seeing the proportions correctly, getting the oil paint and brushes to behave, figuring out where to place the border decor.

This time I will include some wildflowers. Mr. Customer and I discussed lupine, so there is more thinking involved in size and placements.

Finally, I am happy with the results, as is the easy-going customer.

P.S. Recently someone else asked me to paint another strange and unique sign, with blurry and uncertain reference photos and calligraphy. This time I had the good sense to turn down the job. An artist has got to know her limitations.

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4 Comments

  1. As long as you included Sawtooth, it’s all good! But really, it’s just lovely!

    • Sharon, I just try my best to follow the customer’s request with occasional input for improvements, if the customer is receptive. (Most are.)

      • And others are picky. Way too picky! But you put up with them anyway, for which those customers are very grateful.

        • Sometimes it takes a little bit of extra time for a customer to know what she wants. It is part of my job as a hired paintbrush to assist said customer in her quest. Sometimes I am a bit slow to express my opinion, being cautious to avoid insult or intimidation or undue influence.


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