Most of my original paintings are available for purchase through one of the galleries listed in the Gallery section. If you are interested in a specific painting, please contact me at marymabry@verizon.net and I will give you the appropriate gallery contact information.

I can create a custom painting in almost any subject:  landscape, floral, still life, figurative, and, of course, portrait. Because I use only permanent pigments and archival techniques, your commissioned painting can be enjoyed by future generations.

There are many reasons to commission a custom painting.  Because the size of an oil painting is virtually unlimited, I can create a painting in a size to fill an unusual space in your home or office.  The color scheme can be customized to give your room a coordinated look.  By using subjects or objects that are meaningful to you, I can make sure that the painting reflects your personality and taste.

Portrait Commissions
Before you sign a portrait contract, we discuss general information, e.g. why the portrait is being commissioned, the subject, where the portrait will hang, completion deadlines, size and price, formal/informal treatment, effects of different mediums, sittings, photo reference, clothing and backgrounds, to name a few.

After we have agreed on a general treatment for the subject including approximate size and medium, we sign a contract, and you give me a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the contract price.  Then I arrange an initial photography session, to be followed by a portrait sitting.

Before the photography session, I develop ideas for the design of the painting.  But during the actual session other ideas present themselves.  I am always looking for gestures and expressions that seem unique to the subject and do not usually decide on my final composition until after I have studied the photos from the session.  I then do compositional sketches of the final portrait.  If the subject is willing and able, I prefer to do most of the portrait from sittings.  However, I do many portraits from photographs I take during the photography session.  I find it very helpful, at a minimum, to have at least one sitting for a color sketch before I start the portrait.  I also like to have a final sitting for the portrait.

After approval of the portrait and after receipt of the remaining 50% due, I varnish the oil portrait with two coats of conservation varnish.  Then I arrange delivery of the painting.  I also assist you with framing, if desired.

Every portrait is unique, so a definite price would be determined by a number of factors.  However, just as a reference, an oil portrait with head, hands and about three-fourths of the sitter’s figure with a simple background starts at $4500.  A simple head and shoulders portrait would be priced at $1500.  Complex backgrounds are an additional charge.  Multiple figures are priced according to the number of figures and complexity.  Keep in mind that these portraits are usually about seven-eighths life-size.  So a portrait including three-fourths of one figure would range from about 32 to 36” by 40 to 48”.  A head and shoulders portrait ranges from about 18 to 19” by 24 to 26”.

Non-Portrait Commissions
Let me describe a recent commissioned painting.  The client, who was familiar with my work, wanted a painting to hang in her living room.  She really liked my painting “Grandmother’s Lilacs”.  But the subject wasn’t that meaningful to her.  Since she enjoys bicycle riding, she wanted me to paint a floral including some of the summer wildflowers that are found along the roadside   She also had a photograph she especially liked of two of her grandchildren that she was hoping I could include in the composition.  So, I painted a large floral painting based loosely on the design of an existing painting, but included things that were meaningful to her.

After an initial short consultation, I arrange, if practical, to meet with you.  I like to see the space where the painting will hang and discuss the subject and decide the best way to proceed.  Once you and I have agreed on subject, size, medium, due date and price, you will sign a simple contract for the custom and give me a 50% non-refundable deposit.  The balance due, including any applicable sales tax, framing, or other charges, is paid when you accept the painting.  Prices on a commissioned non-portrait painting are usually about 25% higher than a non-commissioned painting of the same size.