Archive Commissions — Commissions from private clients homes and office spaces
Fleet Street Abstraction 2004 — Private Collector, London
This commission was for a very cool styled front foyer in a high‑end Fleet Street entrance.
About this commission
The client already had several of my paintings within his office area and was finishing off the foyer and he decided to commission me to do 2 larger canvases to crown his office space off.
The brief was simple: “Paint what you feel, in the style you’re exploring now.” Measurements were taken, and as I always do for special commissions, I built and stretched the canvases myself — it gets me into the mindset of what’s about to unfold. Large work is always my favourite, and one of these pieces was so big it only just fitted into my temporary studio (see the side story below).
Around a month later, we were deep into marks and colour. Much of my process is looking rather than painting — balance is everything. The finale was adding the slim frame to lift the work off the wall. The client was over the moon.
I delivered the finished pieces a few weeks later, and he handled the installation. When I eventually revisited Fleet Street, there they were — my two canvases glowing in the foyer. A proper career moment. Roll on the next one.
Side story — behind the scenes
Bringing a bit of humaness to the creation of this commission:
I’d just moved to Plymouth. No studio, no home, staying with a mate. He offered his double‑width garage, so I built the canvases, primed the gesso, and got cracking.
Viewing the work mid‑stream was a challenge. To see the whole canvas, I had to open the garage door, cross the road, and stand on the neighbour’s drive. I did this several times. They watched from behind their curtains, probably wondering what on earth was going on. They bought paintings years later, so it clearly made an impression.
Jouney into Nature 2012 — Private Collector, Wales
About this commission
This piece was commissioned for a new‑build modern home in the valley of Usk, and the dominant inspiration was the landscape surrounding the client’s property. I’d spent six years living close to this area, so the hills, colours and atmosphere was already in my bones. Having moved south a few years earlier, it was a joy to reconnect with that landscape and translate it onto this giant canvas.
The story goes.....
I created two identically sized canvases for this commission — a theme I often explore when working at scale. I began by spreading paint across one canvas, then carrying the remaining colour on my scraping tool over to the second, laying the foundations for both pieces in tandem. Working on them side by side over several days, with final touches added after around three weeks, the canvases developed similar personalities while telling their own distinct stories.
The client almost bought both, but the outcome was even better — they commissioned a second, even larger painting for their main living space. See Nature’s Dialog below
The final painting brought a serene energy to the room and became the focal point of the interior design scheme.
Natures Dialog 2013 — Private Collector, Wales
About this commission
This was the second commission for the same client, created for their upstairs living space and Journey into Nature was also visible from the room so it felt important to let this new piece flow naturally with the earlier commission.
The wall was so large that I chose to work with two panels, giving the piece an almost cathedral‑like presence. Painting at this scale was a challenge — I often found myself physically caught between the two halves, switching and twisting to carry paint across both panels and keep the rhythm consistent.
The result was powerful, and its full impact only became clear once the work was installed in the space.
Side Story... well of course
I felt that familiar mix of honour and excitement being asked to create a second painting for the client in Wales. There’s a special kind of validation when someone loves a piece enough to want another — it’s like a quiet stamp of mastery. Their collection grew, and so did the journey… with a third commission on the way, soon to appear on this page.
Active - Waterfall 2014 — Private Collector, South West UK
About this commission
Born from a series I was exhibiting in one of my cavernous Royal William Yard studios, this commission began with the client choosing the works that resonated most. That moment of connection became the influence for this large canvas they wanted to anchor their new home.
Side Story - theres always a story to tell.
This lovely couple had bought from me before, and I’ll never forget their words: “We’ve visited galleries all across the South West — from St Ives to Bristol and back again — and we’ve never seen anything like your work. We want something unusual, not the usual seascapes and landscapes. We think we’ve found it… you.”
This commission was a dream. And here’s the little back‑story (hope they don’t mind). When I presented the piece in my studio, we all went silent. Then I saw a tear in her eye… and his too. The silence was the hard part — did they like it? Why were they crying?
I finally broke the moment with, “Are we happy?” They both smiled at the same time — no words needed, just a hug all round. They were breathing again, full of absolute joy. I’ve never forgotten that crowning moment.
It took them nine years to recover — they returned and bought several more pieces for their new home in Falmouth. These are the moments I cherish, and why I do this for a living: to see the joy and love my art brings.
Chimeric Prints – Printing onto Aluminium, 2012 — Hampton Court, London
This commission formed part of a garden design showcased at the Hampton Court Flower Show in 2012.
About this commission
The client was a well‑known garden designer I’d become friends with after he visited my studio at the Royal William Yard in Plymouth. In 2011, he invited me to collaborate on his latest project — a garden design for the following year’s Hampton Court Flower Show. Already an award‑winning designer at both Hampton Court and Chelsea, he wanted several artists to contribute unique works to complement his concept.
The challenge was clear: how could I create a piece that could live outdoors when my practice is mainly two‑dimensional? He had a sculptor and created sound himself, so he needed something visual. Around that time, I’d discovered an incredible process for printing onto aluminium through a company called Graphique. We joined forces and developed a plan.
I painted Ocean (see below), which became the source image for a series of large‑scale prints. The photo file had to be enormous to capture the detail, but the results were spectacular. We produced five “Chimeric” prints in total, mounted between posts throughout the garden — a striking fusion of art and landscape.
Well we had a great week and honestly a bronze was good enough for me as it was my first.
What happened next.....
Once shown they went on their travels and displayed in Tatton Park Flower show 2013 and as Tatton Park were the sponcors for the original garden two were given to them. Then they were displayed once more in Tatton again in 2022.
So where are they now.....
The 3 surviving prints after maney years being on show and semi storage I now have them here in my Home Gallery and yes they are open to view and buy.
Buying Ocean Print Chimeric's
Come and View them at my Home Gallery — behind the scenes
The surface just draws you in — they fill a wall with their unique presence.
Commission Process
1. Consultation
We discuss your space, preferred colours, mood and the story you want the artwork to convey.
We discuss your space, preferred colours, mood and the story you want the artwork to convey.
2. Concept & Palette
I create a direction based on sketches, palette tests and composition ideas.
I create a direction based on sketches, palette tests and composition ideas.
3. Final Painting
You receive progress updates, and once complete, the artwork is delivered ready to hang.
You receive progress updates, and once complete, the artwork is delivered ready to hang.
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