Commissions

The process of developing a commissioned artwork is illustrated in this example, in which the client was interested in capturing the essence of the place and time of a couple’s first date, as a twentieth anniversary gift.

The original location had undergone a renovation since the the first date. Photographs were taken of the location in its present state and it was decided that the renovation provided a beautiful palette for a collage. In addition, elements that were significant to the first date were requested — a gentleman drinking tea (the husband) and a woman with ice cream (the wife).

Two renowned MIT buildings were requested to be incorporated into the work, Baker House Dormitory (architect Alvar Aalto) and Simmons Hall (architect Steven Holl), as the school where the couple met.

In addition to imagery, particular text, that was meaningful to the couple, was incorporated.

Sample Project

Site of couple’s first date, before renovation

Photograph selected as basis for the collage

Elements to be incorporated

Man with tea

Woman with ice cream

Buildings to be spliced into work

Agreed-upon composition

Completed commissioned collage

Details

Photographs of at least 1 MB of a subject of interest are kindly requested to begin the process of developing a composition. I provide feedback as to which images are likely to make a successful collage. An agreed-upon image will be edited for composition, exposure and color balance. Clients living in Boston and neighboring areas may request a complementary photography session of a specific site.

Works may be commissioned in various sizes, but no smaller than 20” x 20” — a minimum size that permits the expression of details. After the composition and size are determined, the completion time depends upon the size of the work, with smaller works generally completed within three weeks.

A client may commission a work that is similar to one of my previous collages. Each collage is unique in it’s use of magazine paper images and text.

Canvases are hand built, allowing for custom sizing, using museum-quality composite wood/aluminum stretchers with Belgian linen. These materials are chosen to minimize any changes to the surface or warping of the frame, over time. Artworks are 1 and 3/4” thick and the image wraps around the work.  As a result, the work does not need to be framed, although some clients choose to have work placed in a floating frame.

Works are created using high-quality magazine paper, acid-free glue, and UV-protective acrylic gloss varnish and UV-protective acrylic gloss sealant.

The Process