Creating A Treasure
Imagine your beloved animal companion forever captured in a moment as a piece of fine art that can be treasured and admired throughout the ages of time. This can all be made possible by making the decision to commemorate your special pet through a pastel portrait.
A portrait is a timeless keepsake that is the perfect gift for oneself, or for others that can be handed down and enjoyed for generations to come.
Pastel will not fade, crack, or chip as paint mediums will do. Pastel is light fast, and resilient in just about any environment. Pastels are made from the purest pigments with minimal binders and fillers that make it the most color true and permanent medium to work with.
Combined with a surface that is as beautiful as it is unique, while eliminating the need for fixatives. It will not cause the painting to shift, or smudge as most traditional surfaces used with pastel can cause over time, even with the use of fixatives. These two elements combined with an artist whose heart is invested into the subjects she works with, creates a timeless portrait, capturing the heart and soul of your beloved animal companion.
Commissioning A Portrait
To commission a portrait a consultation with the artist is the first step. You may call, or email Kristen to schedule a time to discuss what you would like to have done. Good quality photographs of the animal are needed. Photographs can either be ones that you may have taken, but preference is that the artist takes the photographs herself, and meets the animal in person. Kristen prefers to meet with the owner and the animal(s) to be painted to get a feel for their personalities in order to properly reflect specific characteristics in her work.
Circumstances such as distance, time, or if the animal to be painted has passed away are other exceptions for this preference.
Kristen will not work from professional photographs without written consent from the photographer.
Kristen can meet you at your home, farm, stable, kennel, show venue, trail ride, other events, or wherever suits you! Kristen will happily travel within a 100 mile radius to your location at no extra charge. Locations exceeding 100 miles may incur a $30 travel charge, and may be responsible for lodging fees if an overnight stay is required. An overnight stay may also be necessary if photographing the animal is dependent upon natural lighting or weather related circumstances. Kristen will be more then happy to make the most convenient arrangements with her prospective clients needs in mind.
Once photographs have been taken, and the general composition is decided upon, the drawing process is started. A 50% deposit is required at this stage. Depending on the piece, an average time frame from 6-8 weeks is allowed to complete a portrait. This can take longer depending on the subject matter and what is involved. However the average 6-8 weeks does not include ordering and shipping a specialty color, or out of stock board, or for framing the completed piece.
Kristen will be in contact with you and will send you pictures of your commissioned painting throughout the painting process. If there are any changes, or requests made within reason she will do her best to work with your specifications. Kristen upholds standards in quality and excellence, and enjoys communicating with her clients. She will do her best to meet your expectations.
Completed works are shipped unframed. Framing can be done on request for an additional fee at a local frame shop. Kristen will be happy to provide you with an estimate for standard, in-stock frames and mat choices.
Christmas or Special Occasion Orders:
All Christmas, Holiday, or special occasion orders need to be placed as far in advance as possible. Christmas or other Holiday orders do not apply to the standard 6-8 week time frame. Kristen prefers these orders be placed at least 4 months in advance. She can promise that she will have your commission to you in time for a special occasion. However cannot guarantee it will be within her general 6-8 week time frame. During the Holiday Season she can have up to 6 pieces to work on therefore she urges you to consider your time frame carefully.
Sizes and Pricing
Prices
Prices for commissions start at $1.00 per square inch. This charge can vary depending on the complexity of the piece, how many subjects are to be drawn, and other special requests. However most pieces are priced per the $1.00 per square inch figure and Kristen keeps her clients financial matters in mind.
Pricing Method
This is a standard method that many artists will use to come up with a reasonable charge that covers time, labor and materials without becoming astronomically high, or under pricing their work. This figure works well for just about any medium, and has become a standard to many; although fees per square inch may vary. A certain portrait may take Kristen 20-30+ hours of work, some only 4 hours. Kristen does not feel it would be fair, or reasonable to charge based per hour of work. Kristen wants her artwork to be accessible and affordable to everyone, which is why she has different size boards available. Kristen hopes to offer something for everyone with an affordable price tag.
Prices for original works will vary. This is commensurate upon the amount of work that is invested of her own time into a piece, and to include; size, framing, if the piece has shown, placed, exhibited, or achieved any other credentials, or if there is need to clear out space in the studio! Please keep any eye out for specials on her original work. Kristen also hopes to have prints available in the Spring-Summer of 2008!
All Artworks Copyright © Kristen Queen. No use or reproduction without permission.
