How do I start a custom commission?

I am so glad you asked. First, you can email me at rachelborntragerart@gmail.com to begin a conversation about the vision for your piece. I often ask for a back-story or the reason for the commission, as it helps me relate to the piece and guide my intuition for what it needs and doesn’t need. I also ask for clear reference photos and any specific changes/edits you need on the front-end.

I will work with you to identify you desired color palette, size, framing needs, budget, and set a reasonable completion timeline. I will then give you an estimated quote for your project and you can decide if you would like to move forward with me. You can expect to pay a 50% advance for larger projects or 100% up front for smaller projects. Remaining balances are due upon completion.

I love being able to send sneak peeks of the finished product before it is delivered/shipped, but some clients choose to be surprised, which I also love. Either way, I am exited to work for you and look forward to your first commission!

How much does a custom piece cost?

I will never quote below what I think your piece will require, so you can count on my price estimates before choosing my work. I have completed custom pieces ranging in price from $40.00 to 2k. But the average range for a custom piece is in the $180-500 range, I always include shipping (if needed) in my quote, but tax will be calculated at checkout.

Who is your favorite artist?

Today, it is Helen Frankenthaler. I admire her for how she penetrated a male-dominated movement in abstract expressionism and created her own abstract language through using raw canvas and coining the phrase “color fielding”. She has a sense for color combination and compositional balance like no other. It just works. I’m lucky to be able to see her original paintings at our local museum here in Northwest Arkansas, Crystal Bridges, including “Pink Bird, Figure II”. Beyond her, I am beginning to appreciate the works of Clifford Still and Adolf Gottlieb, both who tell a myriad of stories with their organic shapes, lines, and compositional decisions, not withstanding the titles of their pieces.

How did you begin painting?

My mother. She is the original artist in our family of nine. I was making art before I knew my name was Rachel. Having been homeschooled for the majority of my upbringing, I found a lot of time for doodling, but my earliest memories of art-making include a split-page art journal my mother gave me with a blank space on the upper half and ruled section for journaling on the lower half (popular now- like a primary school journal, but back then the paper was textured and meant for mixed media). I would draw and paint my heart out and then write about it. These are my first memories of art and painting and I enjoyed it immensely.