Commissions & Contact
For art patrons who desire to commission a work and support my on-going development as a (woman) painter, or collectors who simply lOVe my work, please note the following GUIDELINES and do reach out.
I would love to Get To Know you over email or by telephone.
My fees reflect the fact that I’m giving up some creative control and that the commission takes me away from my regular studio practice.
Initial creative work and planning is an agreed upon fee compensating my time and effort I have to put into the planning stage, ranging from a small fee for a simple mock-up, to a significant fee for proposals that take a lot of effort. This fee starts at $1,000 payable in full prior to any meetings.
Initial creative work and planning may include: a studio visit by the patron, artist visit to the site where the commission will be hung/ shown, and review of sketches.
From these engagements, I will develop a proposal.
The initial creative work & planning fee may go up dependent on the amount of time involved in the studio visit/ proximity - length of travel time I need to visit the site where the commission will be hung, and complexity of changes to the proposal sketch suggested by the patron.
During the proposal stage, the amount of changes the collector can suggest are two in total. This limits back and forths and moves us quickly along to the desired end result — a beautiful painting the collector loves for many years to come. I am results oriented and aim to please my patrons and collectors.
Once the collector approves my proposal, this is an agreement to pay me for the finished work. We will draft and sign a written agreement. Finished creative works start at $5,000.00 for smaller simpler pieces, and go up from there reflecting scale, complexity, research necessitated and time and effort painting. Materials (museum-grade canvas & high quality oil paint) or model compensation (if an abstracted figurative work) are at the expense of the collector. If I can complete the work in my current studio, that is complimentary. If the finished work necessitates specific and specialized space to complete (for example for oil work on unprimed canvas or linen which I paint on the floor) that will be negotiated and arranged with the collector. Donated studio space is always welcome.
Finished work is paid 50% upfront non-refundable and 50% upon completion of the project. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, Zelle or bank transfer.
I guarantee that I will not make changes to any major elements once the proposal is completed. I also agree to complete all deliverables on time and within budget if there are no changes made to the proposed work during the painting process.
The collector guarantees to stick to the agreed upon plan and cannot rescind approval once the project is underway.
I offer white glove service and impeccable hospitality to my patrons, to whom I am grateful for supporting my development as an artist. I am generous with my time, heart and efforts. During the painting of the finished work, the collector is invited to visit the studio twice and — within the context of respectful, caring and sophisticated conversations — two transparent, clear and rigorously-substantiated changes at the request of the collector are welcome. Note: Changes will likely lengthen the deliverable due date and potentially price of the finished work. In addition, any extra paint/ materials/ model fees are at the expense of the collector. If the changes necessitate late nights and early mornings to complete the project on time and within budget, my Uber expenses must be covered by the collector. Also be advised these conversations do not take place during painting time.
I do not allow visitors during my time painting in the studio, and I do not allow any photographs or video recordings. If I am photographed or video recorded at any time without permission the project will be immediately ended without refund.
The line “not to make any work in the future that is substantially similar to the commissioned work” is not permitted in any written agreements or contracts.
If the final commissioned work is resold by the collector or their descendants, Sara Edwards and/or her estate receive 40% of those sales each and every time.
You are invited to love the beautiful work you commission. Love and beauty are the answer. ♡
I can’t wait to hear from you! ♡