FAQ

Head over to my commission pricing and process page to find all the information you need. If you are confused about anything or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me; I am always happy to help.

The turnaround time of your order depends on how many orders I currently have ahead of yours. Each painting in generally completed over the course of three weeks. You can check out my commission schedule here to see my shipping estimates for new orders. Due to the nature of my work, please contact me prior to placing your order if you need your painting by a certain date. This will guarantee you have your piece by your chosen date.

While most of my oil paintings feature dogs and cats, I am able to paint any animal. I also have experience painting humans and landscapes, and am open to painting nearly anything, as long as you can provide me a reference photo to work from. If you are interested in commissioning a painting that is outside the realm of pet portraiture, send me an email or message for a quote. Many of the backgrounds of my portraits are completely invented based on my clients’ requests.

Like many artists, my process has changed over the years. I paint most of my pieces in three layers. The first layer is a monotone “sketch”. I paint this layer loosely and focus on getting the major shapes and values established. In the second layer, I introduce color and further refine the portrait. In my final layer, I increase highlights and shadows, add more detail to the entirety of the painting and work with the colors further, ensuring they are accurate and cohesive.

Of course! If you are ordering your oil painting through my website, you can pay for your commission in two installments here. The first payment reserves your spot on my schedule— and the second payment must be made prior to shipment of the piece. Contact me if you would prefer to make installment payments via mailed check, Paypal, Apple Pay, Venmo or Zelle. I will be in contact with you when your piece is ready to be shipped.

If you would like to pay for your painting in more than two installments, I am willing to work with you! Some clients prefer to break the total into 3-4 payments and that is okay. Please contact me directly and we will set up a payment schedule for you.

You can make a secure payment through my website using all major credit/debit cards, as well as Paypal. I also accept payments via: mailed check, Zelle, Apple Pay, and Venmo.

The better quality images you provide, the better your painting will turn out. With that said— I aim to create a painting even better than your photo reference(s). Photos taken with a phone generally work fantastic, especially if they were taken in a well-lit area, or outdoors. I cannot work with photos that are blurred/out of focus or taken in very poor lighting . It is always helpful to provide additional photos of your pet if you can, especially if your main reference is not of the highest quality. This will allow me to piece together any missing or unclear details accurately for your painting. I will be more than happy to give you my opinion on your photos.

I am able to omit most flaws found in your reference photos (ex. I can easily fix a glare caused by a camera flash, work with photos slightly out of focus, and leave out a collar/harness within a painting).

In most cases, I can work from multiple photos to create your ideal portrait (for single and multi-pet portraits). You do not need to have a photo of all your pets together if you are interested in commissioning a multi-pet portrait— individual reference photos can be used for the oil painting. However, it is very important that the photos you have are all taken from similar angles and in similar lighting if commissioning a multi-pet portrait using individual photos of each pet. If you are able to get a single photo of all your pets together, this is ideal for a more natural looking portrait, but not necessary.

Anything! If you would like a detailed background for your portrait rather than a simple background, I can either paint the background within your reference photo, or I can usually replace it with another setting. Contact me with what you had in mind if you are interested in having your pet in a different setting than what is shown in your reference photo. I can reference an existing photo, or paint the background based on a written description.

I primarily use USPS Priority Mail (1-3 business day delivery) but will occasionally use UPS Ground for large paintings or paintings that are traveling far (1-5 business day delivery).

Shipping within the United States is free at this time. For international orders, you are responsible for all shipping costs. This includes, but is not limited to: postage, taxes, duties, and other fees. These costs are dependent on your location.

Paintings can often be shipped internationally upon request. You will be responsible for ALL shipping costs. This includes, but is not limited to: postage, taxes, duties, and extra fees. These costs will vary depending on your location. You will not be charged for shipping when you place your initial order. Instead, the cost of postage must be paid separately prior to shipment of the painting.

Yes, just let me know you’d like to see progress photos of your commission when you place your order and I will send you photos via email as I work on each layer of your painting.

No, I do not ship my paintings framed. Each painting is wired on the back, allowing you to hang it without a frame if you choose.

Yes, all of my paintings are on pre-stretched canvas (not rolled). I work on both standard wrap canvases (depth of 3/4”) and gallery wrapped canvases (depth of 1.5”). I will recommend which depth would be best for your painting, depending on its size and whether there are plans to have it framed. The sides of each piece are painted a solid color that compliment the painting.

Yes, I can. There is an increase in cost for pieces larger than 5”x7”. I actually recommend wood for pieces 5”x7” or smaller because I can get more detail in your portrait.

Yes, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Etsy and Pinterest. I post many work-in-progress photos to my Facebook and Instagram.

It is incredibly important to me that all of my clients are happy with their oil paintings. For this reason, I send all of my clients photos of their finished portrait prior to shipping the piece in case any adjustments need to be made. Adjustments are classified as either minor or major adjustments. The majority of adjustments I make are considered minor and are free of charge. For more information on adjustments, please review my terms and conditions for commissioned artwork.

My pricing can be found here.

Yes, you will be sent several photos of your painting before it is shipped to you to ensure your satisfaction.

Yes, I am the sole contributor to my work, my website and all communications with my clients. I work with all my clients directly and am without employees.