Debra Keirce

One thing it took me awhile to recognize - People who love art, love to feel like paintings they collect were created just for them. People will look at my pet portraits and say things like "I love that dog and pose, but I have a poodle. Could you paint a picture of my poodle doing that?" The answer is usually yes, I can. I had to say no one time when a lady had a cat who passed away before she got any photos of it.

I'm often asked to paint still life pieces with favorite beverages, souvenirs and scenes from memorable trips, favorite books, or jewelry with sentimental value. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and Valentine's Day always make people think of special gifts for their loved ones, and nothing is more special than a commissioned painting that was created especially for a special person.

But what surprised me is how it often takes a painting sample to get people thinking about commissioning a painting. I rarely get commissions from folks who think up an art concept on their own. Usually, they have seen my work and want to commission me to do a similar painting, tweaked to make it unique for them.

And that, my friends, is how commissioned art is born!