New & Commissioned Abstract Paintings

Oct 29

Commissioned Abstract Oil Painting — Installation view of “Abstract Study (thunder no.3)” (2023) Oil and charcoal on canvas, 96x96x3” (PRIVATE COLLECTION)
Art Advisor: Daniel Kinkade Fine Art | Interior Design: PROjECT Interiors

The Eight-Foot Square Canvas

This year has brought wonderful and challenging opportunities to spread my wings and create some of the largest and most significant paintings I've ever made. “Abstract Study (thunder no.3)” is an oil and charcoal on canvas painting that measures 96” H x 96” W x 3” D. I built this work on collapsible stretchers in order to get this massive piece through the client’s front door. We literally folded the painting in half and then put it back to right once inside the space. I'm not going to lie; I was a little nervous, but everything went to plan, and we were all thrilled at the outcome.

Check out the video documentation on my TikTok

How did this all start?

As commissions tend to go, thunder no.3 was modeled after the slightly smaller thunder no.2, which I was in the process of completing when my clients:

saw the progress photos on Instagram
scheduled a studio visit
fell in love with no.2 in person
asked me to make something similar in spirit at a much larger scale

I often prefer commission work because I can control scale, color, and composition, with each painting custom-created and site-specific. I also like to work in series to explore the themes in depth as they evolve into new and unique expressions.

Scale of the painting taped out on the wall.

The Commission Process for “Abstract Study (thunder no.2)”

After viewing my client’s space through photographs, I presented them with a digital mockup, which they approved. I then visited their home in person (Facetime also works), and we determined the exact right scale. A nifty trick is to tape it out directly on the wall with painter's tape for confirmation that the size feels right.

My client was able to visit my studio several times to observe the painting's progress and ensure that we got every detail attended to. Progress photos and videos also work if studio visits are not possible. I have been doing this for a long time and have never had a commission go south. No, I am not jinxing myself, LOL. I never take on a project that is outside of my capabilities; I have years of experience, and I work very hard to get every single detail right.

This painting is an excellent example of a collaborative effort with the client and her interior designer. I had solid direction and a lot of freedom, which I find produces the best outcomes.

Installation view of “Abstract Study (thunder no.2)” (2023) Oil and charcoal on canvas, 62 x 60” (PRIVATE COLLECTION)
Interior Designer: Anna Ariel Heck, Haven Interiors

A Statement on the Series

These are urban abstractions referencing nature, geometric shapes, and graffiti. Living in Chicago for most of my adult life strongly impacts this body of work. I grew up in a small town in central Illinois, so urban living was utterly novel and mesmerizing. I fell in love with Chicago, integrating and expressing its energy, as demonstrated by the wide-ranging work in this series.