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Why Everyone Should Commission an Original Piece of Art

January 29, 2020  Decorating | Uncategorized

If you think original art is only for the wealthy, I’m here to say anyone can own their own meaningful, unique piece of art. I am sharing my thoughts on why everyone should commission an original piece of art including my tips on how to find the best artist that can bring your vision to life at an affordable price!

How to Commission Original Art - tips on hiring the right artist to achieve the look you want and can afford! kellyelko.com #originalart #art #artist #uniqueart #petportrait #dogportrait #dogpainting #bohodecor #bohoart #plantlady #colorlovers #artlover

We’ve all done it. Walked into HomeGoods and bought a framed piece of art. It’s easy and affordable. The problem is, you’ll see it in everyone’s home! I noticed that the things hung on my walls are unique. I’ve hung everything from vintage needle points to original photography to my basket gallery wall to old signs.

I decided it was high time I owned an original piece of art and if I’m going to own a piece of original art, it’s going to be exactly what I want!

Why everyone should commission an original piece of art! How fabulous is this custom pet portrait filled with color and pattern kellyelko.com #customart #originalart #petportrait #colorlovers #plantlady #bohodecor #painting #gouache

I’m lucky that my friend’s daughter, Julia, is an amazing artist! She’s a college student majoring in psychology but art is her passion. She created the seasonal chalkboard art you’ve seen on my mantel including this fall farmhouse scene and the wildly popular Santa on his sleigh. She even painted the mural on my dining room walls that you can see here.

When I saw this painting Julia did for her friend, I knew I had to have one of my little Sushi!

Custom Pet Portrait - love the fun color and patterns kellyelko.com #gouache #customart #originalart #artist #petportrait

I wanted a colorful, plant and pattern filled scene with Sushi as the center of attention so I sent Julia some photos of Sushi, my favorite plants and my family room rug. I told her I wanted a large canvas and she recommended gouache (an opaque watercolor) on paper instead. She’s the artist so of course I went with her suggestion!

To make sure everyone is happy with the end result, communication is key! I was thrilled that Julia involved me in the process and we were able to blend her talent and artistic knowledge with my vision. For instance, I did not want any negative white space like in the painting she did for her friend and instead asked her to make sure every square inch of my painting was filled with color! This is not the time to be vague about what you want.

I was excited when the project got underway and soon received a text with a few rough sketches and we agreed the first one was just the right scale.

Custom pet portrait - rough sketches kellyelko.com #petportrait #customart #sketch

Next, she laid out a rough computer generated draft on her iPad to determine scale, color and placement. Don’t be scared of the cartoonish, one dimensional nature of the photos below!

Rough iPad sketch pet portrait kellyelko.com #sketch #roughdraft #originalart

I told her I wasn’t a fan of the pink background. This draft came next and I decided I liked the background stripes in the first draft but in blue like the second photo.

Rough iPad sketch pet portrait kellyelko.com #sketch #roughdraft #originalart

A sneak peek of Sushi came next including a perfect representation of her resting bitch face!

Custom pet portrait - love this cute little Boston Terrier kellyelko.com #bostonterrier #originalart #petportrait #customart

Then the color began!

Custom pet portrait - love this cute little Boston Terrier kellyelko.com #bostonterrier #originalart #petportrait #customart

Almost there! I stopped by her house because I just had to see it in person. She said she just needed to add more detail to the pots and plants and asked if she could add her own creative spin so of course I said to go for it!

This is when it’s important to give the artist creative license! Had she stuck to only the actual colors and patterns in the photos I sent her, the painting would not be nearly as fantastic as it turned out!

Custom pet portrait - love this cute little Boston Terrier kellyelko.com #bostonterrier #originalart #petportrait #customart #plantlady #colorlovers #pattern #artist

And add details she did! Julia delivered the finished painting to my house and I could not be more thrilled!

how to commission an original piece of art kellyelko.com #originalart #artist #petportrait #colorlovers #pattern #bohodecor

The true test is whether the super model approves.

How fun is this custom pet portrait! I love the colorful plants and pattern and of course the Boston Terrier! kellyelko.com #petportrait #customart #originalart #artist #bostonterrier #colorlovers #plantlady

I just need to find the perfect frame and can’t wait to hang it in a place of honor! To avoid the expense of custom framing, make sure the art is a standard size to fit into a ready made frame.

Commissioning this piece of art was so much fun and is such a win – win – win … for Julia, for me, and for Sushi!

If you are interested in having Julia create a masterpiece for you, let me know and I’d be happy to put you in touch with her.

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Comments

  1. Francie Tucker

    January 29, 2020 at 7:31 am

    She did a beautiful job! 🥰 I love it!
    I can’t wait to see it on your wall☺️

    Reply
    • Laura

      January 29, 2020 at 9:16 am

      ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️- perfection!

      Reply
      • Kelly Elko

        January 29, 2020 at 11:18 am

        Thank you! It is practically perfect in every way!

        Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 29, 2020 at 11:18 am

      Thanks so much Francie! It turned out better than I envisioned!

      Reply
  2. Kathy Bankston

    January 29, 2020 at 9:37 am

    Beautiful! What a sweet memento to keep your pet close to your heart!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 29, 2020 at 11:18 am

      My baby deserves to be immortalized Kathy!

      Reply
  3. JAMALA WALLACE

    January 29, 2020 at 10:51 am

    That’s awesome!! I really like that piece of art…and the expression on your dog’s face is priceless…I look forward to seeing it hung in your house.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 29, 2020 at 11:18 am

      Don’t mess with Sushi!!

      Reply
  4. Marlene Stephenson

    January 29, 2020 at 11:09 am

    She is very good. Love the picture and she drew Sushi perfectly, can’t wait to see where you hang it and the frame.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 29, 2020 at 11:19 am

      Now the pressure of finding the perfect frame!

      Reply
  5. Lucy Land

    January 29, 2020 at 1:50 pm

    Julia Townsend!! What a talented, yet such a modest artist!! Great piece on her Kelly!
    Lucy x

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 29, 2020 at 6:24 pm

      Love Julia so much!

      Reply
  6. vicky Tepley

    January 29, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    Hi Kelly,

    That is wonderful. Please put me in touch.

    Thanks!
    Vicky

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 29, 2020 at 6:25 pm

      So glad you like it Vicky! You can email Julia at [email protected]

      Reply
  7. Mary

    January 29, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    I love reading about the creative process and also appreciate the inspiration your blog provides!
    Well done!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 29, 2020 at 6:28 pm

      Thank you Mary! It was fun to share a behind the scenes info!

      Reply
  8. Mary

    January 29, 2020 at 9:22 pm

    It’s just perfect, Kelly. Julia did an amazing job!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      January 30, 2020 at 11:44 am

      Thank you so much Mary I love the way it turned out too and always happy to encourage a young artist!

      Reply
  9. Lisa K .

    February 1, 2020 at 1:33 pm

    This is precious, just like Sushi. She really is so well behaved!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      February 1, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      She’s the perfect pet!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Hang Art on Windows & My Colorful Sunroom - Kelly Elko says:
    March 19, 2020 at 5:55 am

    […] Click Here – My Tips on Commissioning and Original & Affordable Piece of Custom Art  […]

    Reply

KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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14 shares