Some places feel like part of who you are.
For Phil, one of those places was Broadsands Beach in North Devon — golden light, peaceful waves, and sunset dog walks with his wife, Danielle, along their favourite stretch of the South West Coast Path.
So when her 40th birthday came around, he wanted something more lasting than a photograph — a commissioned painting to hold that view, and those memories, forever.
"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." - Phil
Commissioning a painting from a photo - with a personal twist
Photos are often where we start — but they’re only the beginning.
One of my favourite parts of the commission process is shaping your vision together - taking inspiration from your photos and memories to create something truly special.
Phil knew the exact spot he wanted to feature, but rather than copying one photo, we worked together to blend the mood and colours of several images to reflect how the place felt.
“The whole process was really easy. We communicated through Instagram and email, shared ideas, and Rachel made helpful suggestions to make the finished piece even better.”
✨ Looking for a meaningful birthday gift?
This could be it — a one-of-a-kind commissioned painting made just for them.
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Or discover the process of how to commission a painting →
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Shaping the style of your painting
Every painting commission is different, but a key part of the process is understanding which elements of my work clients are most drawn to.
Phil loved my expressive brushstrokes, the warm autumn light, and the way I sometimes weave foreground flowers into a scene (shout out to Be Free & Wild & Free. Those became anchors for the mood and movement of the piece - while still making it uniquely theirs.
The process of commissioning a painting is always collaborative - guided by your ideas and shaped through my lens as an artist.
The Reveal: A Moment to Remember
Phil and I planned the big reveal for Danielle at my exhibition during the Enys Gardens Bluebell Festival.
From across the room, I saw Danielle’s face light up the moment she spotted her painting. Having not met her before, I wasn’t sure who to look for- but her reaction gave her away instantly!
"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.”
Every commission I create tells a story - a memory, a feeling, a moment in time. I love helping collectors turn those moments into something tangible that lasts a lifetime.
If you’d like to explore a painting commission of your own, do get in touch by simply filling out the form below and we can start discussing and planning something truly special.
