When the request came, I thought: This will be easy. A familiar motif, five days' time, and a collector who knows my work and gave me artistic freedom with a single sentence: Do it.
THE TRUST BEHIND A COMMISSIONED WORK
He followed my 31-day challenge, saw my development as an artist, and at some point decided he wanted an original. With a single sentence: Do it. This trust is the biggest compliment I can receive as a painter, and at the same time the biggest responsibility. There is no safety net of guidelines, just the painting and the question of whether it's right.
THE PAINTING PROCESS: HOW A PAINTING IS CREATED WITH THE PALETTE KNIFE
As a reference, the collector sent me a photo of an orchid. From it, I studied closely how the light falls on the blossoms, how the leaves bend into the space, and where the shadows lie.
The background was created first, applied layer by layer with a wide flat brush: warm ochre tones against cool grey, no sharp transition, but a soft breathing between the colors.
Then the orchid itself. I sculpted the blossoms with modeling paste until they almost emerged from the canvas, the violet accents inside as the only color contrast in the entire painting, yet loud enough.
The most difficult part was the roots, creeping over the edge of the pot and finding their way. It had to look organic, not planned, not decorative, just real.
WHY THE PALETTE KNIFE TECHNIQUE SUITS THIS MOTIF
Orchids have this reputation: classic, pleasing, on a thousand kitchen calendars. That's exactly what appealed to me, to show what the motif can become when you stop just depicting it. The palette knife technique gives blossoms a physical depth that can only be guessed at in photos. In reality, you want to touch them. The surface has edges, elevations and small shadows that move with the light, so the painting changes depending on where you view it from. This is not a stylistic device; this is the essence of the technique.
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WHAT A HAND-PAINTED PICTURE DOES TO A ROOM
A room without art is furnished. A room with the right hand-painted picture becomes a home, a place that truly feels like it belongs to someone. This orchid will now be seen every day, when passing by, when arriving, when pausing for a moment. It changes how the room feels, not loudly or demandingly, but palpably. It is the quiet spot on the wall that remains while everything else moves.
That is what commissioned works mean to me. I don't just paint a motif; I paint something that finds a place in a life.
"Exactly like that."
THE COLLECTOR'S REACTION AT PICK-UP
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COMMISSIONED PAINTINGS AND PALETTE KNIFE TECHNIQUE
What is a commissioned work in painting?
A commissioned work is an original hand-painted piece created specifically for a particular person or place. Motif, format, colors and frame are individually coordinated. The result is a unique piece that exists nowhere else.
What is the palette knife technique in painting?
In the palette knife technique, paint is applied and modeled onto the canvas not with a brush, but with a palette knife. This creates a sculptural, three-dimensional surface with real texture. The technique is particularly suitable for acrylic and gives motifs such as flowers or nature studies an almost sculptural quality.
How does a commission work at Myriams Art?
The process begins with a conversation about the motif, format, color mood and timeframe. The original work is then hand-painted in acrylic on canvas. The price depends on the format, technique and urgency. Express commissions are possible and are priced accordingly.
Who are hand-painted commissioned pictures suitable for?
Commissioned painting is suitable for private clients looking for an individual artwork for their home, as well as for business clients such as doctor's offices, hotels, law firms or cafés who want to furnish their premises with original art. Commissioned pictures can generally be tax-deductible as business expenses.
