Commissioning an artist - overcoming the fear factor.

Placing a commission with an artist can be a really daunting prospect - after all you are agreeing to purchase something you haven't even seen, so much so, that many clients shy away from the process. But if you have specific requirements for a piece and find an artist who's work that you would really love to have in your home , then commissioning a piece specifically for your space can be a very rewarding and worthwhile experience. A good artist who is used to producing commissions will take the 'fear factor' out of the process for you, by making sure they know exactly what you are expecting before work on the piece even commences, and setting a specific timeframe for completion. Many of my own commisions are placed for occasions like anniversaries and birthdays, so ensuring the client receives their piece on time is of paramount importance. An artist should never be asked to rush, after all the best things come to those who wait! However all artists will have a good idea of how long a piece will take to produce and should be able to set an approximate date for collection or delivery before work begins. Good communication is key to a successful commission process, and basics like size, price, materials and framing should all be agreed before any money exchanges hands. Most artists will take a deposit of 40-50% upon placing of the order, with the rest due upon exchange of the finished piece.

For a proffesional artist Producing something that the client will love will always be top of the list, and and they will always ensure you walk away happy and 100% delighted with your piece. If you have particular concerns about placing an order for commission , its always worth while contacting the artist, who should be able to put your mind at rest, and alleviate any concerns you have.
Ive just said goodbye to my last commissioned piece of of 2019. This Abstract piece
Titled 'Red Copper' measures 1200mm x 600mm, and is the second piece that i have produced for these particular clients.

If you think a commissioned piece could be for you, and you'd like to know more about my commision process, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or view my Portfolio for ideas.

‘Red Copper’

VIP Sofitel Hotel Event, Heathrow Airport, London

Danni and 24kt goldleaf Bengal Tiger

I’m really excited to share these images of the recent VIP Event that I took part in at the Sofitel Hotel, Terminal 5, Heathrow Airport. It was a fantasitic evening hosted by the hotel, where several pieces of my work are displayed as part of the award winning T5 Gallery’s continual cultural exhibition programme.

It was a wonderful and invaluable experience to meet and chat with so many people about my work and the process’ involved in creating my pieces, and a fabulous opportunity to relax for a night, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy some really terrific french food!

'Silver Darlings'

‘Silver Darlings

Whilst sharing these images I am slowly breathing a sigh of relief. I’ve spent many sleepless nights thinking over the complexities of this new piece of work. It all started with a blossoming idea earlier this year… what if I could layer the glass? What if I could compose a multi-dimensional piece? What if one of my shoals could become a sphere?! Over the following six months that it took to get the piece to its final form, my wife became very fed up of listening to me ramble on about structural components, fixings and compositions.

The image I had in my mind of a weightless floating shoal, full of clarity and fluid energy really started to take shape as all of the elements of this big puzzle-like piece, came together. Not only is everything worked in reverse, the whole piece was put together upside down, so that there are no visible fixings in the case. The look of the finished piece was not fully revealed to me until the very last nail biting moment!

I love the formation and movement that is expressed through the fish and the weightlessness that comes across in the spherical composition. Though the process has taken a long time, mainly due to finding new solutions to new problems, using some sophisticated and innovative techniques, I’m really pleased with the final piece. Finally I can get a good night’s sleep….

What do you think?

Red listed - Vérre-églomisé, an endangered craft

As a Gilder and Vérre-églomisé glass artist I join a rather small but mighty list of creatives that are classified by the Herritage Crafts Association as endangered.

“A heritage craft is defined as ‘a practice which employs manual dexterity and skill and an understanding of traditional materials, design and techniques, and which has been practised for two or more successive generations”

— The Heritage Craft Association

My own practice takes Vérre-églomisé in its traditional form and adds in a few contemporary twists, so a new art form is born from an endangered craft.

Reverse painting and gilding glass. Vérre-églomisé

The reverse painting and gilding of glass otherwise known as ‘Vérre-églomisé’ was at the forefront of design and craft in the 19th century when it was a thriving industry across Britain, primarily used in sign writing but also as a form of decoration, and can be found as ornate borders on original 19th century antique mirrors. However with progress came extreme changes to the industry, in which only a few champions now remain.

Through contemporising the technique and creating my own style, I’ve been able to work within my fine art and interiors backgroud to create some truly unique pieces using these heritage skills.

I feel truly honoured to be one of the few individuals carrying on this craft and its traditional techniques within my own processes as an artist. My work focus on my love of wildlife and nature as a subject matter, particularly on endangered species and by the geology and surroundings here in my beautiful home of North Devon, England.

You can follow my work by subscribing to my mailing list —>

Film

I’m really excited to share the new film with you all here on the website.

Created by Jess Pearson ‘Shimnix films’ with music by David Smale and Lara Conley.

It was an absolute joy to work with Jess on this short film of my work and become North Devon Maker no.6

I’ve joined a wonderful list of North Devon makers including Louise at Golden Bear Belts, Ellie at Miller Surfboards, Merlyn at her print studio, Clive at Clovelly Pottery and the Bee’s of Honey Quince farm.

I’m looking forward to working more with Jess in the future.

'Sardines'

As an Artist one of the most exciting aspects of my creative process is working and developing unique pieces for galleries and clients. My latest piece is an evolution of one of my favourite and most popular subject matters ‘Sardines’. This new piece is my first boxed work, and is an expanding multiplication of fish with three of my gilded shoals increasing in size within this bespoke box frame. They are mounted 50mm appart creating an exciting three dimensional element that plays with composition and light.

This first boxed work has been developed for the T5 Gallery in Terminal 5, Heathrow Airport, London where it will be displayed off the wall on a self standing plinth.

I’m really very excited to share these first studio images with my followers.

*EDIT - SOLD*

TITLE: "Sardines"

SIZE: 938 x 538 x 180 mm

WEIGHT: 25kg

MATERIALS: 4 mm toughened glass panels x 3, polychromes, inks, paint, Silver leaf , presented in a bespoke white waxed wooden case.

'From the Air'

My new abstract piece reflects on our changing climate, and the effects of geomorphological processes on our planet's landmass and ocean topography.

‘From the Air’

Within the reverse painting of ‘From the Air’ I have incorporated natural lustre, mica and earth pigments, the piece is double gilded in both 24 kt gold leaf and Silver leaf.

This new work is available to view at the Sofitel Hotel, Terminal 5, Heathrow Airport, London.

‘From the Air’ - close up.

'Shoal of Boeseman's Rainbow Fish'

‘Shoal of Boeseman’s Rainbow fish’

Fish are one of my favourite and defiantly one of the most inspiring wildlife subject matters that I work on.

I love the fluidity and complexity involved in the composition of the groups of these wonderful creatures, and as a water lover myself, some of my most memorable and humbling moments have been surfing over reefs or sand in clear waters, with shoals of fish underneath me. Their tranquil yet mesmerising dance is a thing of absolute natural beauty.

Boeseman's Rainbow fish are currently critically endangered in the wild (and are on the IUCN Red list), due to being over harvested for their beauty. Like all varieties of Rainbow fish Boeseman’s are able to change colour and vibrancy depending on their mood. They can only be found in the Ayamaru Lakes of West Papua, Indonesia.

These little fresh water fish are reverse painted and gilded onto glass in 24kt gold leaf.

*EDIT -SOLD*

Close up of ‘Shoal of Bozeman’s Rainbow Fish’ (1)

Close up of ‘Shoal of Bozeman’s Rainbow Fish’ (2)

Hunting Tiger

My piece ‘Hunting Tiger’ is an interpretation of the amazing ‘Bengal Tiger’.

‘Hunting Tiger’

This big cat is the biggest piece I have produced to date and currently keeps guard over my studio.

The Majestic Bengal Tiger faces many threats in the wild including illegal wildlife trade (Tigers are hunted as trophies and for medicine), habitat loss and conflict with humans. The Bengal Tiger is one of five tiger subspecies. At one time there were eight tiger subspecies but three became extinct during the 20th century. The bengal Tiger is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, where it has been since 2008. With the current population decreasing, it is estimated that there are less then 3000 tigers left in the wild.

The ‘Hunting Tiger’ in its frame measures 2048mm x 1045mm x 47mm

The piece is reverse painted and gilded entirley in 24kt Gold leaf onto toughened glass.

You can find my ‘Hunting Tiger’ in the shop.

High Brown Fritillary Butterfly

The High Brown Fritillary

I recently saw my first ‘High brown Fritillary Butterfly’ while in My Artists Residency with the National Trust in the beautiful Heddon Valley and I couldn’t wait to get back in the studio to paint one.

High Brown Fritillary Butterfly

We are extremely lucky here in North Devon to have one of the highest concentrations of the High Brown Fritillary Butterfly in the country and to have conservationists such as the National trust striving to create habitats to support this beautiful Butterfly and save it from extinction.

The High Brown Fritillary is one of Britains most threatened species of Butterfly and listed as a vulnerable species under the wildlife and countryside act of 1981.

You can find My ‘High Brown Fritillary Butterfly’ in the shop *EDIT-SOLD*

My Painted Fritillary on glass

My Painted fritillary reverse painted on glass and gilded in copper