Process and Policies
Free Consultation Before OrderingPet Portrait Process
Custom Commission Process
Available Canvas Sizes
Expected Timeline
Privacy and Security
Sales Tax
Shipping
Refunds and Returns
Questions?
Free Consultation Before Ordering!
Please contact me at [email protected] before placing your order. This is recommended for pet portraits and is required for all other custom commissioned pieces (so that we can agree on the work and the price before you order).
In the email, let me know whether you are interested in a pet portrait or another type of custom piece (please give a short description of what you are looking for). I will reach out to you and continue the consultation process via email until you and I have agreed on the scope of work, details, and price (for custom commissions other than pet portraits). Since you are paying in full before the order is complete, we want to agree up front on all the details so I can ensure maximum satisfaction with your order!
Pet Portrait Process
My paintings are done by hand, with quality acrylic paint, on canvas. I use both canvas panels and stretched canvases. (See below for an explanation of canvas options and available sizes.)
When I receive your order, if I have not already received this information from you via your free consultation, I will send you an email asking for your photo(s) and additional information, such as any preferences you have about background colors.
Most importantly, I want to know the name of your pet, whether this is a memorial painting, and any additional information you want to tell me about your pet. The more I know, the more connected I feel to your pet while I'm painting his/her portrait. This is what I call heart-centered painting.
I will contact you again by email to let you know that I've received your photo(s) and other information. I'll also let you know if I have any questions about your preferences and/or any issues with viewing and transferring your photos. I want to make sure that what I create for you matches your vision.
I start by transferring the image(s) from your photo(s) to the canvas. If I'm working directly from one photo, I use either a projector or a tracing method to get the proportions exact. If I'm painting multiple pets in one portrait, or a composite (using more than one photo of a pet to create the image), then I may do a free-hand drawing.
I'm happy to take your input on the background color(s) to use, as well as any other preferences (such as incorporating the background in the photo). If not specified, then I will envision a background color for your portrait, and paint your pet(s) over that. This is all done by hand with medium-body acrylic paint.
Before signing and varnishing your piece, I will contact you by email so that you can see a preview (digital photo) of your piece before it is finished. Once you are completely satisfied with the portrait, I will sign it and add a layer of acrylic varnish medium and let it rest for 24 hours before shipping.
Finally, I'll send you an email with a tracking number once your portrait has shipped.
Custom Commission Process
I create custom pieces - other than pet portraits - on request, in acrylic, watercolor, ink, colored pencils, or a combination of these media. Acrylic and mixed media can be done on stretched canvas, canvas panel, or thick, high-quality paper. Watercolor, ink, and colored pencils are done on thick, high-quality paper only.
Before placing any order, please contact [email protected] for your free consultation. This is absolutely necessary because I need to understand and agree on the scope of work and the details so that I can give you the correct price for your piece before you place the order.
Once we've agreed on the price and the details and you've placed your order, I will email you to let you know that I'm ready to begin your project.
I will contact you again when the piece is almost finished, so that you can see a preview (digital photo) of your piece. Once you are completely satisfied with it, I will sign it and add varnish if applicable.
Finally, I'll send you an email with a tracking number once your portrait has shipped.
Available Canvas Sizes
Canvas panels are flat and can be put in a frame.
Stretched canvases are canvas on a wooden frame, which is typically 3/4" to 1" deep, and can hang on the wall as-is. I extend the painting over the sides of the canvas.
In general, I find that square canvases are good for close-ups of the head and neck, while rectangles are good for whole-body portraits or multiple pets. If you select one, and I feel, based on the photo(s) you send me, that the portrait would work better on the other (e.g. you selected a square and the portrait might work better on a rectangle), I will contact you and ask if it is okay to adjust the size, at no additional cost to you.
I currently carry the following canvas options:
|
Size |
Canvas Panel |
Stretched Canvas |
|
6" x 8" |
√ |
|
|
8" x 8" |
√ |
√ |
|
8" x 10" |
√ |
√ |
|
10" x 10" |
√ |
√ |
|
9" x 12" |
√ |
√ |
|
12" x 12" |
√ |
√ |
|
11" x 14" |
√ |
√ |
|
14" x 14" |
|
√ |
|
16" x 20" |
|
√ |
Expected Timeline
Orders are completed based on the order received and on my schedule, which varies week to week.
Up front, you can expect that an order will take a minimum of two weeks to complete, not including shipping time. This will take longer if I have several orders in the queue.
On receipt of your order, I will email you a more specific estimated completion time. Additionally, I will send you updates:
- If anything changes (i.e. there is an unexpected delay)
- When your order has shipped.
Privacy and Security
Your privacy matters to us. (View our complete Privacy Policy here.)
This shop has SSL, which adds a layer of security when you enter your information at checkout. Payments are processed by Stripe and by PayPal, which also have a their own layers of security on all transactions.
Sales Tax
If you’re in Texas, you’ll notice a state sales tax charge at checkout. That’s because we’re located in the same state. Hey neighbor!
Shipping
Orders ship on weekdays via UPS Ground, and should be delivered within 5 days. We will send you a tracking number when your item has shipped.
Refunds and Returns
Because your pet portrait is one-of-a-kind and made especially for you, I do not accept returns. However, I want you to be completely satisfied with your pet portrait, so we will send you a digital proof before we ship. If you have any issues with your portrait, please email us within 14 days and we will work to resolve your issue. (If the issue is damage during shipping, please include photo(s) in your email.)
Questions?
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].