COMMISSIONS
COMMISSIONS
Thank you for your interest in commissioning an icon in the style and technique of my studio. Throughout history, the partnership between patron and artist have produced powerful and beautiful artwork across all cultures.
Below outlines the process for commissioning an artwork. At the bottom you will find the form for requesting a commission.
Keep in mind: I'm using "icon", "liturgical art", "sacred art" interchangeably. But there is a distinction which I'm happy to explain when we connect.
The Process
YOUR VISION IN FIVE STEPS
YOUR VISION IN FIVE STEPS
YOUR VISION IN FIVE STEPS
This process ensures that we create an artwork tailored to your vision.
(I) Subject
This is the most crucial aspect to consider when applying to commission an icon/liturgical art/sacred artwork from the studio: What is your subject? Here are three common requests:
This is the most crucial aspect to consider when applying to commission an icon/liturgical art/sacred artwork from the studio: What is your subject? Here are three common requests:
Icons of saints allow us to participate in communion with them on earth. They are present in the icon since the icon is connected to them.
Icons of saints allow us to participate in communion with them on earth. They are present in the icon since the icon is connected to them.
Festal icons, which are liturgical events found in Scripture, are filled with theological significance and open our eyes to eternal truth by bringing us into God's time (Kairos).
Festal icons, which are liturgical events found in Scripture, are filled with theological significance and open our eyes to eternal truth by bringing us into God's time (Kairos).
Painting of saints or individuals that are not for liturgical use. These are similar to fine art portraits with theological/philosophical symbols for contemplation.
Painting of saints or individuals that are not for liturgical use. These are similar to fine art portraits with theological/philosophical symbols for contemplation.
(II) Placement
Where do you envision installing the artwork you're commissioning? This informs the composition, size, and format.
Where do you envision installing the artwork you're commissioning? This informs the composition, size, and format.
Liturgical art/icons/sacred art for personal use, like in a prayer corner or in a particular room, can take the form of quiet presence.
Liturgical art/icons/sacred art for personal use, like in a prayer corner or in a particular room, can take the form of quiet presence.
Whereas liturgical art/icons/sacred art for churches, religious communities likely will take different forms. It could be on a wall inside the church, or a chapel, or in the parish hall meant to be venerated or didactic.
Whereas liturgical art/icons/sacred art for churches, religious communities likely will take different forms. It could be on a wall inside the church, or a chapel, or in the parish hall meant to be venerated or didactic.
Non-liturgical art should still consider the layout and colours of the setting area/rooms.
Non-liturgical art should still consider the layout and colours of the setting area/rooms.
(III) Size
With the placement in mind, it's easier to imagine the size of this artwork.
With the placement in mind, it's easier to imagine the size of this artwork.
For personal use, many prefer artwork ranging from 8 x 12 inches to 16 x 20 inches. These provide breathing space inside the house, as they don't dominate one wall. Occasionally, people will specifically desire an artwork to take centre stage for one of their rooms, and they tend to be larger.
For personal use, many prefer artwork ranging from 8 x 12 inches to 16 x 20 inches. These provide breathing space inside the house, as they don't dominate one wall. Occasionally, people will specifically desire an artwork to take centre stage for one of their rooms, and they tend to be larger.
For religious communities or churches, the size depends on the placement. If icons are commissioned to fit within a pre-existing architectural sturcture then specific measurements are required to make sure the completed liturgical artwork will physical fit the space harmoniously. Other things to consider: will there be other liturgical artworks surrounding it, if so what is their size? This is to make sure the commission work is harmonious with its surrounding.
For religious communities or churches, the size depends on the placement. If icons are commissioned to fit within a pre-existing architectural sturcture then specific measurements are required to make sure the completed liturgical artwork will physical fit the space harmoniously. Other things to consider: will there be other liturgical artworks surrounding it, if so what is their size? This is to make sure the commission work is harmonious with its surrounding.
(IV) Format & logistics
When applying to commission an artwork, the studio offers two different formats depending on your needs: oil or arylic. Oil is employed for wood panels and canvas, and acrylic for murals or fresco-secco mainly for walls.
When applying to commission an artwork, the studio offers two different formats depending on your needs: oil or arylic. Oil is employed for wood panels and canvas, and acrylic for murals or fresco-secco mainly for walls.
Careful preparation for each work is taken through prayer, visual and historical research, and reading primary sources if available. This preparatory step is important as it grounds the composition within a living tradition.
Careful preparation for each work is taken through prayer, visual and historical research, and reading primary sources if available. This preparatory step is important as it grounds the composition within a living tradition.
Then it's creating a composition. My vocation is to labour in the living tradition of this sacred art-form, which composes original icons deeply rooted and bound by iconographic tradition but expressing a unique, historically-bound styled inspired by the rich Catholic faith.
Then it's creating a composition. My vocation is to labour in the living tradition of this sacred art-form, which composes original icons deeply rooted and bound by iconographic tradition but expressing a unique, historically-bound styled inspired by the rich Catholic faith.
Multiple sketch are compiled into a slide deck. The slide deck contains impactful philosophical or theological truths that have shaped the sketch compositions. Once you've reviewed and narrowed down to one of the sketches / combined elements of a few. Then I create a digital mock-up of the artwork. The mockup is to give a sense of the artwork. It's more detailed than the sketches but less than the final. The main goal here is to give a sense of what the final artwork will look like.
Multiple sketch are compiled into a slide deck. The slide deck contains impactful philosophical or theological truths that have shaped the sketch compositions. Once you've reviewed and narrowed down to one of the sketches / combined elements of a few. Then I create a digital mock-up of the artwork. The mockup is to give a sense of the artwork. It's more detailed than the sketches but less than the final. The main goal here is to give a sense of what the final artwork will look like.
(V) Buget & Deadline
Each request is personally quoted, taking into account its size and complexity, as well as the cost of its material.
Each request is personally quoted, taking into account its size and complexity, as well as the cost of its material.
The timeline (especially the deadline) is an important factor for consideration when quoting. If you need the project fast-tracked, then the quote will increase to cover additional resources to accelerate work.
The timeline (especially the deadline) is an important factor for consideration when quoting. If you need the project fast-tracked, then the quote will increase to cover additional resources to accelerate work.
Once a commission is accepted, a 50% deposit is required to begin the work, with the remaining balance due upon completion.
Once a commission is accepted, a 50% deposit is required to begin the work, with the remaining balance due upon completion.