How to commission and buy art

Ruth O’Leary works from her studio in Sunderland, in the North East of England, and is always very happy to hear from anyone interested in her work.

Original contemporary art is often more affordable than you’d think; if you’d like to discuss commissioning a piece of unique textile art, please get in touch – Ruth always enjoys talking to clients and finding out their ideas and requirements.

You can find out more about Ruth and her work in her profile.

The commissioning process

Original art can make a wonderful and unique gift, for example for a special birthday or anniversary. It can also help make your home more individual or express your personality.

Commissioning a piece of art can seem very daunting if you haven’t done it before, but it really is a lot simpler than you might think. Most artists will be very pleased to hear from you!

You might have seen a piece by an artist and would like them to make you one similar, or would like something completely unique and unlike anything else, or maybe somewhere in the middle – by contacting the artist and explaining your ideas you’ve taken the first step.

Most artists will then talk with you – possibly directly if you’re able to visit their studio, or by Zoom or email if distance makes that impossible – to discuss your first thoughts and develop new ideas of their own. Once you’ve agreed an approach, the artist can then work on initial designs for you to review. You may also have a budget that you need to work within – it’s a help to the artist to know this in advance, so they don’t get carried away!

Once you’ve agreed on a design and a price, the artist can then start work. As original art can take time to produce, don’t worry if they go quiet for a while. It’s also common to pay a deposit at this stage.