A Timeless Gift: How a Commissioned Painting Brought This Couple’s Sunset Memories to Life
Commissioning a painting is more than just piece of art—it’s a way to hold onto cherished memories. Whether it’s a special place, a meaningful moment, or a gift for a loved one, a bespoke painting brings those memories to life in a unique way that nothing else can.
When Phil wanted to surprise his wife, Danielle, for her 40th birthday, he knew exactly what would make the perfect gift: a painting of Broadsands Beach in North Devon, a place filled with memories of their sunset walks together.
“My wife is an artist and is fascinated by how people capture light in paintings. Rachel does this in an amazing way and is one of Danielle’s favourite artists so naturally when a milestone birthday came around I got in touch about a commission. Danielle’s painting now hangs in pride of place in our lounge where we can now see one of our favourite sunset views anytime we like.”
Bringing The Vision To Life
One of my favourite parts of the commission process is shaping the vision together—taking inspiration from photos and memories to create something truly special. Phil had a clear idea of the place he wanted captured but was open to creative guidance to bring it to life.
Here’s how we refined the details:
Blending Multiple Images – Instead of copying one photo exactly, we combined elements to achieve the perfect balance of sky, light, and atmosphere.
Enhancing the Mood with Colour – Extra sunset photos helped deepen the sky’s richness, making the scene feel even more vibrant and emotional.
Personalising the Details: My commissions aren’t just about replication—they’re about evoking emotion. We made thoughtful choices about the painting’s brushwork and colour palette, ensuring it reflected both their personal connection to the place and my artistic style.
Phil’s enthusiasm and trust in the process made this commission a joy to create, ensuring the final piece truly reflected their memories.
💬 “The whole process was really easy. We communicated first through Rachel’s Instagram, then by email and shared ideas for the painting, with helpful guidance and suggestions made to help the finished piece even better.” — Phil
Shaping The Paintings Style
Another key step in the process is understanding what draws my clients to my work. I always ask for 3–5 of their favorite paintings from my portfolio—this helps me see what resonates with them, whether it’s a color palette, a certain brushstroke, or the way light moves through a scene.
For Phil, these were the elements that stood out:
The autumnal color palette & warm light
Flowers in the foreground
Expressive brushwork for the waves and rocks
This collaborative step ensures that while every commission is unique, the final piece reflects the mood, energy, and artistic style my clients connect with most.
The Big Reveal
When the painting was complete, Phil and Danielle traveled to my exhibition at Enys Gardens Bluebell Festival to see it in person for the first time.
From across the room, I saw Danielle’s face light up the moment she spotted her painting. Having not met in person before, I wasn’t sure who to look for—but her reaction gave her away!
💬 “Danielle’s painting now hangs in pride of place in our lounge where we can see one of our favorite sunset views anytime we like. Rachel even made a lovely frame for us and packaged the painting up beautifully for its journey home.” — Phil
Inspired To Create Your Own Painting Commission?
— Let’s Discuss Your Idea!
Click here to find out more about my Art Commission Process, or if you have an idea you’d like to discuss please take a moment to complete the form below. I’ll be in touch personally as soon as possible - thanks!