The Sister I Choose (Pepollum)
by Michaela Poepping
Medium: Acrylic Mixed Media
Size: 12"h x 9"w
Multnomah
by Michaela Poepping
Medium: Acrylic Mixed Media
Size: 36"h x 12"w

The Life of a Commission
Creating a finished piece of art for someone else is entering into a relationship with that person.  It is very important to
understand what the patron wants out of the art work, and what the artist is able to deliver. Most people are curious about
how the commission process works and what to expect.  To help explain, I documented the process using a recent
commission (other examples of recently commissioned work can be seen to the right):


    The Story:
    I am being commissioned by a gal named Rebecca to make a painting for her half sister, Sophia. These two ladies
    only met each other recently through Facebook. Rebecca lives on the east coast, and Sophia currently lives in
    Okinawa, Japan. Even with all of that distance, they have become quite close. Sophia is returning to the states in
    April, and Rebecca wanted to be able to give her something very special to commemorate her time in Japan when
    they meet for the first time, and that's where my painting comes into play...

    The Idea:
    Rebecca and I sent a few emails back and forth talking about Sophia: what she likes and doesn't like, what's
    important to her, etc. In the end, I got about 20 snap shots of Sophia and her family plus one of her favorite quotes. I
    spent a few days processing what she had told me about Sophia and flipping through the pictures, and then it was
    time to pull everything together and sketch out some ideas, and send it on for approval. I was lucky... Rebecca loved
    the sketch and pretty much gave me creative freedom.




    The Sketch:
    A map of Okinawa, an origami swan based on the tattoo Sophia recently got,
    a well known gate to a castle in Okinawa, Sophia's favorite quote,
    and an adorable picture of her son, Tank, wearing her glasses;
    these were the elements I knew I wanted to incorporate.











    The First Layer
    Rebecca decided that 14"h x 11"w would be a good size for this work.





    To start, I attached a layer of rice paper over the front and
    sides of a cradled panel. Using rice paper as the
    background gives an immediate Asian feel. Next, I started
    sketching out the map of Okinawa.











    The Middle Layers
    This is the middle phase, and what I consider to be the awkward phase... where it's hard for anyone but me to tell
    where I am going and what the final painting will looking like.





    I began adding in some of the other elements that I knew I wanted to work
    with:  The quote, the photo, the gate and the swan.  I often sketch things out
    on paper, cut them out and then tape them into the painting to see how the
    overall composition will look before I commit to a permanent position in paint.



























    The Final Product

    After discussing with Rebecca, I changed a few things and added in some other elements, and finally finished the
    piece:





















    I happen to be a big fan of continuing the painting onto the sides of the panel.  Not only is it visually interesting, but it
    also creates a modern feel and eliminates the need for framing.















    When the work is complete, I varnish using at least 2 coats of UV Resist and 2 coats of archival varnish and attach a
    wire hanging system to the back.  When the varnishing is complete and dry, I am able to ship the work.   
© 2011 Michaela Poepping.  All Rights Reserved.