What Does It Mean to Commission an Abstract Portrait?

People often ask what it actually means to commission an abstract portrait — especially if they’ve never commissioned art before.

So I wanted to share a little about how this works, and what you can expect.

It starts with a conversation

When someone commissions a portrait with me, we begin with a conversation. This can happen in person or virtually. I ask gentle questions, listen closely, and pay attention to what feels important — not just what’s said, but how it’s said.

There’s no posing, no performing, and no pressure to know what you want the painting to look like. My role is to translate what I hear and feel into color, movement, and light.

You don’t need to be “artsy”

One of the most common worries I hear is, “I don’t know anything about art.”

That’s completely okay.

You don’t need to have the right words, references, or visual ideas. You don’t need to be comfortable talking about yourself. You just need to show up as you are. The rest is my job.

What the portrait reflects

The finished painting is an abstract portrait — not a literal depiction, but a reflection of presence, energy, and connection. For individuals, it often captures something essential and steady. For families, it reflects relationships and shared movement rather than everyone looking the same way at the same time.

Many people tell me the portrait feels familiar in a way they didn’t expect — like seeing something they already knew, but hadn’t seen before.

What commissioning is (and isn’t)

Commissioning a portrait is:

• A collaborative process

• Rooted in listening and trust

• Guided, even if you’re unsure

It is not:

• A test of taste or art knowledge

• A performance

• Something you need to “get right”

How to begin

If you’re curious about commissioning a portrait, there’s a short form on my website to start the conversation. It’s simply a way to reach out and see if this feels like a good fit.

There’s no obligation — just a place to begin.