Investing in Art That Speaks to Your Soul
In the middle of winter, just after all the artists for Artypants Magazine’s third issue: Labyrinth had been accepted, Artypants Founder and Editorial Director began commissioning her first piece of artwork for her home collection.
There was something about Emily Shedlock’s use of color and shadow that moved Maryann to wonder if Emily might be open to a commission — specifically, a recreation of a personal family portrait.
Below, we share the steps in that process with the hope of demystifying what it means to commission artwork and make the experience feel more accessible for anyone interested in supporting local talent.
Every artist approaches commissions differently, but this was the journey from conception to creation for: “Spilled Fruit” — a 20x24 acrylic on canvas by Emily Shedlock.
Introduction to Emily Shedlock
If you’ve opened up Issue 03 you will see the partial portrait of “Perseverance (Carolyn)” in the inside cover.
The painting belongs to a portrait series Shedlock initiated after enrolling in an MFA painting class post-grad. There, she forged connections with her classmates, including fellow artist Carolyn, whom she painted. This experience proved transformative, guiding her toward more portrait commissions. Emily Shedlock reflects that had she not taken that class, her artistic path might never have led her to painting people as it has.
You can view the full portrait of Carolyn “Perseverance” in person now through August 24th at Danforth Art Museum - Annual Juried ExhibitionShadow and Color
Shedlock’s distinct application of shadow and color in her work evoked a pull that could not be ignored. Below are some ways in which Emily describes her artistic process.
Idea To Outreach
During a winter walk, Maryann drafted an email in her mind on how she would approach Emily. What’s the worst that could happen? It could go either way. Maryann began by explicitly stating what she liked about her work by filling out the commission request form on Emily Shedlock’s website.
Tip: As a general practice, you should interact with the website of the artist and avoid informal communication through DM’s or messages. This is for several reasons: you are approaching an investment from a human who would be creating a masterpiece, and it is an experience that deserves deliberate respect. Similar to purchasing a designer handbag or luxury item, you want to have integrity and care for the product's lifecycle.
From: Maryann gibbonsTo Emily Shedlocksubject: CommissionHi Emily,I've been thinking about this ever since seeing your whole series! This is 2017 when for some reason I took my kids to the grocery store in pajamas and the fruit apocalypse shook them to the core. So much of it I want to freeze, and the color story makes for an interesting and beautiful conversation about motherhood at the time. I envision in our family room, or above our bed so I'd say 24x36 --or in that range. What do you think? And only if aligned with your schedule (flexible here!) and if it feels like a good match for the commissions you enjoy doing!Communication, Logistics, and Planning
Admittedly, Maryann is green to major art purchases. Aside from original lucky vintage finds, Art In The Barn through NRAS, and replicated prints, she never approached commissioning artwork.
Here are the steps that went into the commissioning of “Spilled Fruit”.
While every artist's approach is unique, here's how the journey with Founder and Editorial Director and Emily Shedlock unfolded, offering a transparent look at the steps involved:
Vision & Initial Inquiry: Maryann sent over an original image for the commission, clarifying specifically about the magical way Emily Shedlock uses color and shadow. At this stage, also provided the estimated desired size, around 34x36 inches.
Proposal & Sketch: A short while later, Emily provided a formal price quotation and a complimentary rough sketch, complete with a proposed color palette for review. She made it clear that feedback and changes were welcome at this stage, setting a collaborative tone from the start.
Additionally, the “color study was fascinating to participate in as I got my kids and husband to provide input as to what palette they preferred. We were all in alignment, and it made everyone curious with anticipation for the final piece.”
Alignment & Budget Discussion: Parties aligned on the sizing and color palette. “It was incredible to see her proposed color combinations via the color study! I humbly admit I initially underestimated the cost for size, which highlights the importance of transparent, early discussions about budget expectations. Shedlock also provided a mock-up of the new size via a colorless sketch, which assured alignment on the reduced size.
Agreement & Deposit: Next, a formal commission agreement was sent, and a 50% deposit was paid of the agreed-upon price to initiate the project.
Progress Updates & Finalization: Emily Shedlock consistently provided updates via emails about her progress and timelines, maintaining clear communication throughout. She then arranged for a convenient drop-off at the residence. Just before delivery, the remaining 50% of the invoice was paid. The option for payment through a third-party host made the transaction super convenient for automation and record-keeping. The level of communication felt critical—neither too much nor too little, just right.
Delivery & Discovery: Before Shedlock arrived, Maryann considered how she might hang the piece and whether she’d want to frame it. All questions were easily answered, further building anticipation.
Certificate of Authenticity: A Certificate of Authenticity for "Spilled Fruit” was provided. This is a fantastic and crucial detail for any commissioned or purchased artwork, as it formally verifies the piece's originality, the artist's identity, and its creation date, adding significant value and ensuring its provenance for years to come.
“ It turned out Emily had painted all around the canvas, and my preference, at least for now, is to display it without a frame. When Emily delivered the painting, she shared more about her process, adding incredible nuance and making the piece even more special. For instance, if you look closely, you can see the shadows of the girls are holding hands, which was done purposefully—a detail that truly brought the painting to life for me. ”
Spilled Fruit
A 20x24 acrylic on canvas by Emily Shedlock.
