Frequently Asked Questions
What makes you different from other live painters?
I work in a traditional realist method. You'll get a exceptionally high-quality painting in oil on canvas that is carefully crafted, with good likenesses and lots of life, all of which require lots of time in the studio to achieve. Your painting will be passed down through your family for generations. What is your availability? Limited! I only do about 8-9 paintings per year. Many wedding painters do several times that number. I limit my numbers because I need to know something about the people that I'm painting and then to take the time necessary to bring their personalities into life on the canvas. If I do more events, then that personal connection and the end result are affected. That means: if you want my services, book early! What do your packages include? The basic package starts with an oil on canvas painting. We will decide beforehand what the subject matter will be. I will come to the location a couple of hours early, take a LOT of reference photographs, set up my equipment and supplies, and paint throughout the event. At the end of the event, I’ll take the artwork back to my studio for final finishing and touchup. About 2-4 weeks later, I’ll send you photos of the finished painting. When you approve it, I’ll deliver it to you. How much will it cost? Pricing varies mostly by size and the number of people. Most 24"x30" paintings are around $3,500. Other sizes are available. This includes the couple plus up to four other people. Additional recognizable figures are extra. NC sales tax is included in the price. Travel and delivery costs for areas outside of a 1.5 hour drive from Asheville will have to be added as well. Can we get the painting in a different size? You can have almost any size painting you want. The most common sizes are:
The 18”x24” is the smallest available and we can go as large as you like. I often recommend the 24”x30” rectangular canvas, or either the 24”x24” or 30”x30” square ones. Larger paintings can have better likenesses, while smaller paintings will be easier to place in a home. What options do we have? The sky’s the limit, really. In addition to different sizes, you can get notecards with the completed painting, have more than one painting of the event, or have portraits made. What is your painting style? My style is traditional realism. I want my figures to have good likenesses and a lot of life. Getting both requires considerable work, which is why I take it back to the studio for finishing. What areas do you serve? Primarily North and South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, north Georgia, and Virginia, but I can go pretty much anywhere within a one-day drive. If your event is more than two hours from Asheville, I will have to charge for travel. Don’t worry, I’m very reasonable! What equipment do you need? I provide my own equipment and supplies. I will need a small area, about 8’x8’, to set up, and a wall plug for electricity. How do we book you? Go to the Contact Page and let’s start talking! When we’re clear on what the project entails, then we’ll sign a contract and lock it in with a 10% deposit. The balance and any travel, shipping, and other costs are due prior to the event. Do you have a guarantee? Yes! I will work with you to make sure you like the results. If, despite all that, you still don’t like the painting, I will keep it and refund all but the deposit and travel costs. |