COMMISSION PROCESS AND FEE

"So, how do I commission a portrait?"

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First, contact me and get on the waiting list. My waiting list is approximately 2 years long, but it won't get shorter with time.

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I'll contact you when your name comes up on my list. 

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Then you can send me as many digital photos of your pet as you like - the more the better! We will talk about which one looks the most like your pet and would be the best choice for a painting. Don't bother having it printed out. When we've both agreed on a photo, I'll have it printed out in the same proportionate size as the portrait will be. 

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I will send you photos of the work in

progress. So exciting! Payment is not due until the painting is delivered.

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My fees are based on size alone - not time spent or materials. A portrait requires about two weeks to complete. You may be interested to know that ten percent of the sales price of all my portraits is donated to the Lake Martin Animal Shelter here in Alexander City to benefit animals not as fortunate as yours and mine. 

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I'm aware that my prices are ridiculously low. I paint and draw because I love what I do, I love working with my clients to create something they will treasure for many years, and I love seeing their reactions when they open the box and see their portrait in person. My goal is to create a body of excellent pet portraits. My dream is that someday in the future after I'm long gone, a museum director says, "What? You have a pet

portrait by Patti Nolan Smith? She died in obscurity, but her paintings are very sought after and you should have that

insured for at least $5,000." It's a pleasant daydream...

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Meanwhile, I calculate the fee for oil paintings as height times width times $2.00. (For example, a 10 x 10 painting would be $200.) Watercolor portraits and charcoal portraits are height times width times $1.75.  (Ex: a 10 x 10 watercolor or charcoal drawing would be $175.) Prices are easy to calculate based on the size of the canvas or paper. Oil paintings on gallery-wrap canvas are ready to hang without framing; charcoals and watercolors must be taken to your

favorite framer. 

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Even if you're not the least bit interested in commissioning a portrait, I thank you for your time in visiting my site, and I hope you've enjoyed seeing these lovely animals.