Why I Only Open Limited Commission Spots as an Artist

From time to time collectors ask a simple question:

“Why don’t artists just accept commissions all the time?”

At first glance it seems like a reasonable idea. If someone wants a painting, why not create it?

But the truth is that most artists balance two very different kinds of work: studio practice and commissioned work. While both are meaningful, they require different kinds of time, attention, and creative energy.

Because of this, many artists — myself included — choose to open only a limited number of commission spots when the timing is right.

The Role of Studio Work

Most of the paintings I create begin in the studio as part of a larger body of work.

Artists often develop paintings in collections or series. This allows ideas to evolve over time. A single painting might lead to another experiment, which then leads to a new direction or technique. Over months or years, these ideas grow into exhibitions and cohesive collections.

This kind of exploration requires uninterrupted creative time. It’s where new visual language develops and where an artist’s voice continues to grow.

When collectors encounter my work — whether online, in a gallery, or in an exhibition — they are often seeing the result of this ongoing studio process.

How Commissions Are Different

Commissioned paintings follow a different rhythm.

Instead of beginning with a studio idea, a commission begins with a specific request or story from a collector. That means the process often includes additional stages such as planning conversations, reference development, scheduling, and communication.

These steps can be meaningful and rewarding, but they also take time away from the open-ended exploration that happens in the studio.

For this reason, commissions tend to move more slowly and require a different kind of focus than studio work.

Protecting Creative Energy

Artists need periods of uninterrupted time to experiment, reflect, and develop ideas. Too many commissions can interrupt that process.

If an artist fills their entire schedule with commissioned projects, the work can gradually shift from creative exploration toward custom production.

Limiting commissions helps maintain the balance between personal studio work and collaborative projects with collectors.

This balance is important not only for the artist but also for the long-term quality of the work itself.

Why Limited Commissions Benefit Collectors

Opening only a small number of commission spots actually improves the experience for collectors.

When commissions are limited, it becomes possible to give each project the attention it deserves. There is more space for thoughtful planning, careful execution, and a clear timeline.

Rather than rushing through a long list of requests, the artist can approach each commission as a meaningful collaboration.

In many ways, this leads to stronger and more satisfying results for everyone involved.

The Best Way to Collect an Artist’s Work

For many collectors, the simplest and most rewarding way to acquire a painting is by exploring the artist’s available work.

Studio paintings often represent the most natural expression of an artist’s ideas. They are created without the constraints of a specific request, allowing the artist to follow the direction that feels most compelling in the moment.

Collectors are often surprised to discover that the painting they connect with most deeply is one that already exists.

When Commissions Make Sense

That said, commissions can be wonderful when the right idea and timing come together.

A commissioned painting may reflect a meaningful place, a personal memory, or a story connected to the themes already present in the artist’s work.

When these elements align with the artist’s practice, commissions can become thoughtful extensions of the studio process.

A Final Thought

Limiting commissions isn’t about turning people away. It’s about protecting the time and creative space required to make meaningful work.

For artists, studio practice remains the foundation of everything else.

And for collectors, that same practice is what makes the artwork worth collecting in the first place.

Interested in Commissioning a Painting?

If you’re curious about how my commission process works, including pricing and planning, I’ve written a separate guide explaining the details.