The Open Ocean

It’s time for our combined creativity to create a truly unique painting.

Even though being surrounded by art really does change lives, moods, mindsets, and everything in between, it’s no small feat investing in an artwork (and in yourself), so kudos for already taking the first step!

I’m excited to get to know each other throughout this process and come out the other side with a piece that fits perfectly into your life.

The possibilities might feel too endless, but I promise we’ll be guiding each other every step of the way. Plus, I do have a couple of constraints:

• What I Work With - While my work is mixed media, I have a few materials I stick with. All my paintings are made on wood panels with mostly acrylic paint, but I start by building layers of texture and depth with found material such as cardboard and paper, then sometimes do final touches with white charcoal and oil pastel.

• Texture All Day - I mentioned building texture from the start, but sometimes I’ll even mix sand, dirt, and charcoal powder into the paint as I go to make it really thick & gritty. We’ll be sure to discuss the amount of texture you want in your piece during the discovery phase.

• Keep it Tropi-Goth - If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably already looking for a painting with my overall look, feel, and style. While I’m open to pushing myself and exploring new imagery to fit your vision, be sure to browse my other work to get an idea of the kind of vibe I create. Think along the lines of a darkly tropical, death-on-holiday beach goth aesthetic!

• Intentional Color - Of course we both want this piece to fit in with the decor of its new home, but keep in mind that I work in a limited color palette. Besides black and white, I’m open to your color suggestions and preferences, but let’s keep it to 1-3 colors.

Finally, here are some things to consider, to ponder, and to daydream about, when filling out the art commission form:

• What do you want this painting to evoke?

• What drew you to my work in the first place?

• What speaks to you about the human experience?

• Is there a memory or personal story tied to this painting and are you looking to commemorate that story or reframe it?

• Do you have any photos, videos, notes, poems, places, or anything at all that connects to the meaning of this painting?

• Where will this painting live? If you’re local to the Bend area, I’d be happy to come see your space and talk about the commission in person, or we can FaceTime, Zoom, etc.