Note From Lesley
I was just talking about this recently with someone, so if it was with you guys please forgive me because I’m going to talk about it again. 
I was writing about how so many artists don’t like to do commissions and I’ve always thought it was sort of strange that I do. I think the reason I think it’s strange is because I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard another artist say that they love to do commissions like I do!
I think there’s a couple reasons for it. The most obvious one is that commissions make people very happy. What could make you happier than to have somebody who does the style of artwork that you like, render the most important things in your life for you? Our family, our animals…..
And then someone pointed out not too long ago, that I have had the privilege over the many years that I’ve done this, to have been flown all over the country and invited into some of the most beautiful homes and ranches that exist in the United States. I’ve done it for so long that sometimes I forget to put things like that on my grateful list. I’m not sure if too many people are ever invited into the very personal lives of almost strangers – than an artist can be.
Then the third reason that I love commissions is that they stretch you as an artist. We humans tend to be basically lazy, and artists are no exception. Doing commissions for people forces me to have to paint things out of my comfort zone constantly. And I think that stretches and helps grow an artist.
So having said all that I want to share something that touched me so much when a woman that I’m doing a painting for wrote this to me.
Talent and empathy are magical stuff
To find them together is very tough
But, that is what you bring to bear
YOU will do justice to this regal mare!
The fourth, but not the last blessing from doing commissions, is the incredible people I meet and get to work with. This woman and this poem are perfect examples of that. My assistant says that she get such a kick out of hearing me giggling and laughing with her as we scheme and plan about how to carry out her painting. What fun! What a beautiful gift! Commissions make me feel very blessed and trusted with people’s most precious and treasured things.
Published by admin on February 22nd, 2012 Tagged Uncategorized
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:50 am
I think the reason people welcome you so warmly and completely into their lives is because of the passion you have for your gift. Whether it’s a commission or not, the love you have for life and all the beauty it holds … is what makes you such a special person.
I tried doing commission work with my sewing and found it so frustrating that I wanted to quit sewing completely. Maybe it’s a little different when you’re asked to make a pink floral dress without the customer being aware there are hundreds of different fabric choices at any given time. I found trying to coordinate the picture in my mind with what they had in their mind simply impossible.
lol The silver lining to wanting to give up … was realizing how much easier it would be to have the customer to go to the fabric store and pick out her own fabric. Then I didn’t have to play 20 questions, and still end up wrong!
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:50 am
Beautifully said Lesley, I love doing commissions also. I am such an admirer of your work and thoughts…
February 23rd, 2012 at 11:03 am
Lesley… first off, the painting you show here is absolutely beautiful. That being said, I love what you wrote. I have only done a few commissions, because as you know… I’m a beginner in this artist world. But I have felt the emotions that come with presenting a portrait to someone of their special one. I find that to be the best part of being an artist. The very first commission I did… if you can call it that as I actually gave the painting away, was of a special dog, Fritz, who has recently passed away. The gal who owned the dog took it very hard as we all do, but she has the painting that I did for her. She never lets me forget how important that painting is to her. I did the painting because I love to paint… but the side benefit is that my paintings have made me visible in a world where I had never been noticed before. I may never travel the world to do commissions… but I will love painting animals that touch the heart… as you have taught me how to do!
Thank you for that!!!
February 24th, 2012 at 10:09 am
I completely agree, Lesley! Well said.
I’ve only done a few commissions, but as others have said here, it’s so rewarding to give the owner that special piece of art they will treasure forever. What a wonderful way to help others remember the ones they love!
February 24th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
I have been doing commissions for over 10 years now. Some I have really enjoyed doing and others not so much. It really depends on the reference photos that I am using for each commission. Sometimes, I have been lucky enough to go and take the reference photos myself, and there have been times that I have been given some really bad reference photos to work from. By that I mean, photos that were blurry and out of focus, the person or animal is small and way in the background, bad lighting, incorrect coloring, and poses that were just not that great. Over time, I have gotten very selective about the commissions that I accept anymore because it’s just not worth the time, aggravation & eye strain working from reference photos that are not that great. There are times that I have been asked to do a commission of an animal or person that is no longer living, and those are the ones that I have a very hard time declining, regardless of the quality of the reference photos. Those are also the commissions where I have given the completed painting to the client, and they start crying. Not because they didn’t like the painting, but because it has a lot of meaning to them and also involves a lot of emotion. I find it hard to keep my composure in these situations and to not start crying too!!
February 27th, 2012 at 7:09 am
So well said, Lesley!
I would love to do more commissions
Once when I was on vacation I saw a most beautiful horse, I asked the owner if I can do a photo of the horse, because I would love to paint it. If she likes, I send her an email with my work. She was not too eager about, as she had bad experiences with a portrait of her horse. When I finished my work and sent it to her, she wrote, that she got goosebumbs all over, because she said she had the feeling, that her horse is looking through the screen to her. Finally she made the trip to me to get the original.
February 29th, 2012 at 7:05 am
Could not have said it any better Lesley. Another awesome painting btw!
February 29th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Lesley,
I have always wanted to just be an artist, but I began doing commission work and that is most of my portfolio. I do enjoy it, and it blesses me to be able to give someone a lasting remembrance of their special pet. After all, I know how important my dogs are to me, and I can appreciate the reminder the portrait is for them. It helps to make the loss of a pet a bit easier. I have cried with the recipient before, and that’s alright. I think it is important for us to have empathy for others.
I love the commissions, but I feel a different kind of freedom with my art when I can just be creative with my horse paintings or other wildlife paintings. There seem to be benefits from both!
Love your painting!
Mary
March 8th, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Honestly, I would love to be able to do commissions, but, I do have an aversion to time limits! gosh, those scare me! lol I guess as I go on I’ll have to learn my own limits, and know how long I’ll be taking on a painting. Guess that will come with time. Your words are soo true Lesley, and I don’t know if you will read this but your are just as talented in saying what you feel as you are drawing it!. love you!
