Behind the Scenes with Susan Abell

A Sense of Place: Where's the inspiration?

It was a seemingly ordinary day. Slightly overcast sky...not really sunny...

perfect for a landscape artist seeking inspiration.   

I grabbed my camera and quickly slid out of the car. Only a few other visitors could be seen in the distance.

Moving toward the bank,  the soothing sounds of tumbling water could be heard.

Is there any more relaxing sound in nature than gurgling water? Simply blissful.

Soaking in the peaceful nature scene, I snapped photos from different angles.

Relying on nature for painting inspiration can be challenging. Sometimes it is necessary to simplify.

While the entire scene is beautiful, not everything will reasonably fit into a completed painting.

Later, when I began to sift through my photos, I knew the shoals would be front and center in the composition.

The watercolor painting above I call Crossing the Shoals was the end result.

With so much subject matter to draw from here-this scene would need to captured again.

What's next?

A change in season often calls for landscape scenes, capturing the changing landscape with a nod to the changing light.

I have set myself a goal of capturing as many Georgia State Parks and well known places of interest as subjects in nature-inspired paintings.  

Crossing the Shoals was the first a such a series, depicting local venues like Harris Shoals Park near my home in Oconee County, Georgia.

Below is a  watercolor painting resulting from this local inspiration.

This is a familiar park where my son played Little League baseball. Picnics following field trips were common here too during my days as an elementary teacher.

It seemed only fitting to begin this nature painting adventure in my own "neck of the woods".

Not only are the shoals a compelling subject, but the surrounding bank of back lit trees are especially captivating.

What most inspires you in your 'neck of the woods'?

The Commissioned Artwork Process

In this post, the steps to commissioning an artwork are detailed.

The Commissioned  Artwork Process

Have you ever looked at piece of artwork and wondered how it might look in your home?

Perhaps you may have wondered if you could get a piece similar to this customized for your space.

Or perhaps you've considered having a painting commissioned but were uncertain as to the process.

Hopefully, after reading this post you will...

• Know what to expect when commissioning art
• Understand what the process looks like
• Know the questions to ask an artist

How it evolves

1. Meet with the artist informally.
2. Share what it is you have in mind
3. If there are photos- provide copies (digital is fine)

Initially, the artist will want to meet with you to discuss the basics. You should see a variety of the artist's work to get a good idea of the range of their skills.  The more you see of their artwork,  the better you can grasp their range and get a feel for your projected result. The artist's website can help you know this ahead of time as well.

Questions the artist will want answered

What do like about my artwork? Is there anything you don't like or would prefer not to be included in your piece?  Knowing this will help the artist understand your vision.

Where will the painting be displayed?

Do you have photos you would like me to reference?

What medium is preferred? If the artist works in more than one.

Have you commissioned artwork before? If so, were you satisfied with the results?

What do you want to see in your art?

Do you have any questions or requests?

Will you be the only one approving the progress?

Next steps

The artist will want to be flexible and communicate effectively with you during the process.They want to be sure you are satisfied with the completed project. Personally speaking, email works well for this. Face Time and Skype would be possibilities too.

With the assumption that the meeting went well, the artist will want you to sign a simple contract. Once the subject matter and medium for the commissioned painting are agreed upon, the artist will submit a contract (likely emailed) to you. From my perspective, I also like to submit preliminary sketches for approval at this time.

Included in a Commissioned Art Contract

• Timeline for completion
• Specifics- size, medium, materials
• Cost- A nonrefundable deposit-usually a 1/3 of total commission cost will be required.  *The artist will want you to understand that the time, labor and materials invested should be compensated should you decide not to proceed during the process
• Approval process-normally, the artist will allow a limited number of revisions prior to commissioned painting completion.
• Delivery-Painting delivered in person or shipped to you.
• Any other agreed upon additions

If necessary, a follow up meeting can be arranged, however, most aspects of further communication can be handled via email or phone call. 

Now you know how the process of commissioning a painting works.

Typically, it goes very smoothly and you receive the commissioned artwork you envisioned as a result! Your original and unique painting will no doubt become a focal point of your home.

Interested in having a painting commissioned? Feel free to contact me.  Thanks for reading this post! 

Scroll down for examples of recent commissioned works.

Susan Abell

Examples of past commissions

It's that favorite time of year when the leaves begin to show a hint of color and the air is cooler. The transition from summer to fall always offers much inspiration. Painted in acrylic, along with inks on a canvas panel, this work is ready to be framed to serve a  reminder of this delightful season. Inspired by a sunny fall mornings in my own neighborhood where seasonal changes and various wildlife sightings provide endless painting inspiration.

Although it may not look like it, there's a lot happening here. This salt marsh is teaming with life on this bright morning.  Painted in soft shades of blue, green, and yellow in oils on a canvas panel to recall the way light infuses a marsh early in the day when there is a bit of haze. Coastal Georgia provided the inspiration for this smaller study and is part of a collection of similar work. This oil piece comes ready to hang.