Commission a Landscape Painting
A commission begins with a conversation about a place that matters to you. I take on only a small number each year, because the best collaborations ask for real trust, clear communication, and room for my own vision as an artist. — Topher Straus
A place with a story of its own
The most compelling starting point is a place you carry with you: a mountain, a stretch of water, a landscape connected to your family or an experience outdoors. I want to understand why it matters to you, then find where your vision and mine can meet. A commission should feel personal to the collector and unmistakably like my work.
Zion began when a friend asked me to create a painting of his favorite national park. That work opened a new direction in my art. See Zion National Park.
How a commission begins
1. We talk first
I interview each prospective collector. I want to hear about the place, the intended space, and the feeling you hope the finished work will hold. This is also where we learn whether we communicate well and whether the project is right for both of us.
2. We shape the direction together
I listen to your vision and bring my own artistic judgment to it. Before a project proceeds, we can discuss scope, scale, timing, and the decisions we will make together.
3. The finished work belongs to its place
I have made personal and corporate commissions, including a recent commissioned painting for Smartwool and VF Corp. Each one needs its own conversation. I do not take on many in a year, because I want to give the work and the relationship the attention they deserve.
What collectors have said about working together
Collector Brian Pryor describes a commission inspired by a special Colorado place that became the centerpiece of his living room. He speaks about being heard throughout the process. Read Brian's account on the testimonials page.
An Inspirato feature also includes collector Maira Suehnholz's account of collaborating on a Bora Bora painting through several conversations about color and texture.
Questions before commissioning art
Do you accept every proposal?
No. I take on a small number of commissions and begin with a conversation to see whether the idea and the working relationship feel right.
Can a commission be for a home or a business?
Yes. I have created work through both personal and corporate collaborations. Tell me where the painting will live and what the place means to you.
What should I include in my first message?
Tell me the place you have in mind, why you are drawn to it, the approximate wall dimensions, and the timeframe you are considering. We can begin there.
Tell me about your place
If you have an idea for a commission, begin with a conversation. I will let you know whether it feels like a collaboration I can take on.