Commissioning a boat portrait

[trswem]

Hello all. I would like to find an artist that I could commission to paint a vessel underway. It would likely need to be someone with a specialty in sailing because I don’t have a reference image of the boat in question. Has anyone here purchased something similar, and could refer me to an artist?

[Pandor]

I’ve always enjoyed https://www.johnbarberart.com/

[PippaB]

If you like his style (and he is still in business) -Jim DeWitt.

[Island Time O25]

I had my boat painted from an old builder's brochure b&w photo. The artist did an amazing job. And at a very reasonable price. The only thing she's in Ukraine and it took awhile as they are constantly under Russian fire there. My g/f got several still lives painted as well as a generic "Turner type" tall ship in a storm. Not sure of her English language proficiency though but that can be solved by google translate anyway.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by PippaB

If you like his style (and he is still in business) -Jim DeWitt.

Sadly Jim DeWitt died a few years back. A good artist, a good sailmaker and an all around good guy. RIP Jim...

Jim

[nightowle]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

I had my boat painted from an old builder's brochure b&w photo. The artist did an amazing job. And at a very reasonable price. The only thing she's in Ukraine and it took awhile as they are constantly under Russian fire there. My g/f got several still lives painted as well as a generic "Turner type" tall ship in a storm. Not sure of her English language proficiency though but that can be solved by google translate anyway.

How can we contact this capable artist in the Ukraine?

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by nightowle

How can we contact this capable artist in the Ukraine?

I asked my g/f for details. Turns out the artist is not doing it commercially but rather to get by during the difficult times there (Ukraine, not too far from the front lines). So my g/f's circle of friends commission the paintings and then just wait whenever she can get to paint them - about 4 to 6 months. So I may have spoken too hastily about a possible order as the timeliness cannot be guaranteed.

Let me know approximately the dimensions you are looking for in a painting and I can pass it along to see if she can do it. The one my g/f got me as a present is 16"X19", rather on a smallish side. But still it has taken the artist up to 6 months to do as she has a lot on her plate other than painting.

I'll ask for more information and ways to get everyone on the same page contact wise. The artist herself, not being commercially minded or inclined, was hesitant at first to commit to any deadlines or promises. But since she is a relative of a good friend of my g/f and given the situation at her country, she was given a wide latitude in everything. But that's not easily transferrable into a commercial order.

[SeanPatrick]

I know a guy. I've sent him a message and I'll let you know if/when he responds.


Cheers!

[sailingunity]

this doesn't help you... but a few years back we were at anchor next to a park in Vero beach. I went ashore with my kids for a walk, and stumbled past a woman who was painting a picture of our boat at anchor! We had a friendly conversation, and the next day she gifted the painting to us. We still have it as a fond memory of that time.

[SeanPatrick]

My friend says he's technically retired, but that he will consider it.

[Island Time O25]

Update on the artist in Ukraine.

Unfortunately most of her paintings are back at her apartment near the war zone and she may not get back there until the war ends. If there still will be "there" as that area is under heavy fire. Where she lives now she has less than half a dozen of recent works, none of which are "nautical" enough to give a sample of her ability with the subject. Also she's dealing with her husband's medical issues due to war wounds, etc. which have resulted in her "artist block".

I am sorry for having spoken before clarifying all this information. As soon as she is able to return to active painting I will update here accordingly.