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Before a commission can be confirmed, the client must review and agree to the following terms.

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Commission Confirmation

A commission is only considered confirmed once the client has:

• accepted the project scope and quotation;

• provided all required information and measurements;

• selected or confirmed the intended usage rights;

• paid the required deposit; and

• agreed to this Commission Policy.

Submitting a commission inquiry does not create an obligation for either party to proceed.

 

Payment Structure

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

50% deposit is required before work begins.

The deposit covers the reservation of studio time, project planning, research, design development, and materials.

The remaining 50% is due upon completion and before the artwork is released, delivered, installed, or shipped.

I am not required to release or ship completed work until the balance has been paid in full.

For larger or particularly complex commissions, an alternative milestone payment structure may be established in writing before work begins.

 

Revisions

The number of revisions included in a commission will be stated in the quotation or project agreement.

A revision means an adjustment to the agreed concept. It does not include replacing the entire concept or changing the project direction.

Examples of changes that may require an additional fee include:

• requesting a new concept after approval;

• substantially changing the composition;

• changing the subject matter;

• changing materials;

• changing dimensions;

• changing colours after approval;

• requesting additional versions;

• requesting additional design development; or

• requesting work outside the original brief.

Additional work will be quoted separately before it is undertaken whenever reasonably possible.

 

Changes to the Original Brief

Once a commission has been approved and production has begun, the client may not assume that major changes can be made without additional cost.

If a requested change requires substantial additional labour, materials, research, fabrication, or redesign, the artist may:

1. charge an additional fee;

2. extend the completion timeline;

3. require a revised quotation; or

4. decline the requested change if it is no longer reasonably compatible with the project.

Changes requested after a stage has been approved may result in the client being responsible for costs associated with reworking or replacing materials and work already completed.

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Custom Work and Refunds

Commissioned artwork is created specifically for the client and may not be readily resold.

For this reason, custom commissions are generally non-refundable once production has begun, except where a refund is required by applicable law or otherwise agreed in writing.

A client changing their mind, deciding they no longer want the work, disliking a feature that was previously approved, or experiencing a change in personal circumstances does not automatically create a right to a refund.

Where a project is cancelled after work has begun, the client remains responsible for the applicable deposit, completed work, committed materials, and other reasonable costs incurred in connection with the commission.

 

Ownership of the Physical Artwork vs. Copyright

Payment for a commissioned artwork gives the client ownership of the physical artwork, once the artwork has been paid for in full.

It does not automatically transfer copyright or intellectual property rights.

Unless a separate written copyright assignment or licensing agreement has been entered into, the artist retains copyright in the artwork and may reproduce, display, photograph, publish, license, or otherwise use the artwork as permitted by applicable law.

The client may not reproduce, manufacture, distribute, sell, license, modify, or commercially exploit the artwork without the appropriate rights or permission.

For example, purchasing an original commissioned painting does not automatically give the client the right to:

• print the artwork on clothing;

• manufacture products featuring the artwork;

• reproduce it on merchandise;

• use it as a commercial brand asset;

• license it to another company;

• create mass-produced reproductions;

• reproduce it in books or publications; or

• use it in advertising or other commercial campaigns.

If the client requires these rights, they must be discussed and agreed upon separately. Additional licensing or copyright fees may apply.

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Personal Use vs. Commercial Use

The client must identify the intended use of the commissioned work before production begins.

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Personal Use

Personal use generally includes displaying, wearing, gifting, or privately enjoying the commissioned work.

Personal use does not include commercial reproduction or licensing.

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Commercial Use

Commercial use includes, but is not limited to:

• advertising;

• marketing campaigns;

• product packaging;

• merchandise;

• clothing production;

• publishing;

• film and television;

• commercial photography;

• branding;

• promotional materials;

• resale of reproductions;

• licensing;

• mass production; or

• use by a company, organization, production, or third party for commercial purposes.

Commercial usage may require an additional licensing fee or separate agreement.

The artist reserves the right to request information about the intended use of a commission before accepting the project.

If the client's intended use changes after the commission has been completed, additional permission or licensing may be required.

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Shipping, Delivery, Customs and Import Fees

Unless specifically included in the quotation, shipping is the client's responsibility.

The client is responsible for providing a complete and accurate delivery address.

For international orders, the client is responsible for applicable:

• customs duties;

• import taxes;

• VAT;

• brokerage fees;

• customs clearance fees; and

• other destination-country charges.

The artist is not responsible for delays caused by customs, postal services, courier companies, incorrect addresses, or circumstances outside the artist's reasonable control.

The client is responsible for confirming that the artwork or materials can legally be imported into their destination country.

 

Client Inactivity and Abandoned Commissions

The client is expected to respond within a reasonable period when their approval, information, measurements, payment, or other input is required.

If the client becomes unresponsive for 30 consecutive days, despite reasonable attempts to contact them, the commission may be considered inactive or abandoned.

In such circumstances, the artist may:

• pause the project;

• revise the completion timeline;

• charge reasonable storage or additional material costs where applicable;

• terminate the commission; and/or

• retain amounts reasonably attributable to completed work and expenses incurred.

If a completed artwork remains unpaid or unclaimed, the artist may retain possession of the artwork until outstanding amounts are paid and may take any other lawful action available.

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Handmade Nature of the Work

The client acknowledges that handmade artwork may contain natural variations and characteristics resulting from the creative process.

These may include variations in:

• colour;

• texture;

• dimensions within reasonable tolerances;

• stitching;

• weaving;

• dyeing;

• surface finish;

• brushwork;

• metal;

• clay;

• natural materials; and

• other handmade processes.

Such characteristics are not automatically considered defects.

Where the quotation, approved design, or project description specifies a particular material, colour, measurement, or characteristic, reasonable efforts will be made to meet those specifications.

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Portfolio, Photography and Promotional Rights

Unless confidentiality has been agreed upon in writing before the commission begins, the artist may photograph and document the commission and use images of the work for:

• portfolio purposes;

• website content;

• social media;

• exhibitions;

• publications;

• press;

• promotional materials;

• grant applications;

• residency applications;

• educational purposes; and

• professional documentation.

The artist may also identify the work as a commissioned project where appropriate.

A request for confidentiality must be made before production begins. Confidentiality requirements may affect the price, timeline, or artist's ability to accept the commission.