I get this question a lot: why do I only open commissions twice a year? The short answer is that it keeps my workload balanced and my creativity in check. The long answer is a little more complex. There are quite a few layers to that - so let's talk about them.
I take commissions in two windows every year: one window is in the summer and one is in the fall. The summer window usually opens because my workload tends to be a little lighter that time of year. It gives me the space to take on custom work without completely throwing off my schedule or creative flow. Summer also is when my energy is naturally at its highest. The sun is shining, the weather is great, and I can work outdoors or with the windows open. I find that much easier to do than working cooped up in my house during the dead of winter. Summer season commissions are usually lighter in load, but it's perfect.
The fall opening is going to begin on October 1. And that opening, each year, is when I take HOLIDAY COMMISSIONS. Yeah, I know, October is a time when you haven't even really begun to seriously think about the winter gift holidays, but when it comes to art, it takes some time, so I have to open those commission slots early. The holiday commission season usually runs October 1 through mid-November, but depending on my workload and the kind of commissions I take on, I can expand it to about Thanksgiving. That's never guaranteed, but it's not uncommon. Now that I take painting orders, I need a minimum of a few weeks to do each piece. And it's more for larger or more complex projects. This timing makes sure every painting is finished, dried, and shipped with plenty of breathing room before the holidays.
So the biggest reason we've talked about so far? Work load. Related to that, another reason I keep commissions limited to these two times of year is my personal creativity. I don't want to load myself up with so much commission work that I start to lose interest in my own creativity and my own exploration and development of skill. I don't want commissions taking over my entire year. While I truly enjoy creating them, but when it's all that I'm doing, it can lose the fun and not be enjoyable anymore. In the past, I would leave commissions open year round, and it left me feeling drained of all creativity and true desire to create. I was uninspired to do anything beyond what clients had requested. I realized I was spending all of my time filling orders and not nearly enough time exploring the ideas in my brain and learning new things. That wasn't a sustainable artist method for me or for keeping the quality of my work at its highest.
So what about limiting commissions from the perspective of the client? Well, these limited openings also create a natural sense of commitment for collectors. When I used to have commissions open all the time, I’d get a lot of casual inquiries that went nowhere. I'd be ghosted in the middle of a discussion, and it got to be so bad that for a while, I had to have a specific section in my web store dedicated to "abandoned commissions." Commissions that were never paid in full or that clients decided they didn't want. That was heartbreaking and frustrating. Now, when those windows open, the people reaching out are the ones who are ready to move forward. It means less chasing, less ghosting, and more time spent actually creating.
Since shifting to the seasonal drop format for my original pieces, I also have less time to take on custom work. Most of my focus is on building and releasing those collections, and keeping my commission calendar tight makes sure I’m not overcommitted. It also gives me the time I need to grow as an artist. Right now, I’m refining my style and pushing my skills in new directions, and that takes space - in the studio, my calendar and my brain. That's space I wouldn’t have if I was constantly on deadline for someone else’s project.
Honestly, it's also true that I don’t have as much free time as I used to. Running a one-person studio means I’m not just the artist; I’m also the photographer, the marketer, the shipper, and the admin team. Add that on top of parenting, maintaining a healthy social life and working a full time job that's not related to art at ALL, and it's tough. There are only so many hours in a day, and I have to be realistic about how many commissions I can take on without burning myself out or compromising the quality of the work.
So will they always be in this "two season" format? For the foreseeable future, yes! And honestly, looking ahead, there’s a chance I may make commissions a VIP-only option at some point. Nothing is finalized yet, but as my schedule continues to fill up, it’s something I’m seriously considering. It will make sure that only the people who really want custom art are the ones I'm working with. If that happens, you’ll want to be on my email list so you don’t miss out. You can sign up - for free - right here.
So there you go. That is the real talk answer on why I only have commissions open twice a year. This schedule lets me create custom work for collectors while still having the time and energy to focus on my own ideas, learn new things, and build collections I’m proud of. It’s the balance that keeps the process enjoyable, and for me, that matters as much as the finished painting.
If you think you might be interested in a custom piece of art when commissions open, you can get all of the information right here. Holiday commissions are opening in just a few weeks!
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