Commission an Original Painting
Commissioning an original painting from Corey Barksdale begins with a direct conversation about the story, space, scale, color, and feeling the finished artwork should communicate. Corey Barksdale creates original paintings for collectors, organizations, businesses, and meaningful personal commissions — work that celebrates Black culture, history, music, and everyday life through expressive color and portraiture.
Choosing a Size and Medium
An original painting commission starts with the basics: where it will hang, how large the space allows, and what medium fits the setting — acrylic or oil on canvas, a mixed-media piece, or a work on paper. A painting meant for a home living room calls for different scale and palette considerations than one destined for a corporate lobby or a gallery wall.
Developing the Concept
From there, the concept takes shape around what the piece needs to say: a family story, a cultural theme, a portrait, an abstract composition built around color and movement, or a piece inspired by music and jazz history. Reference photos, color preferences, and the intended setting all inform the initial sketches before paint touches canvas.
Timeline and Delivery
Original paintings take time to develop properly — from concept sketches through underpainting to final detail work — so realistic timelines are set at the start of the commission rather than promised on the fly. Completed paintings can be shipped or hand-delivered depending on size and location.
Who Commissions Original Paintings
Collectors, cultural organizations, businesses furnishing an office or hospitality space, and individuals marking a personal milestone all commission original paintings for different reasons — but each commission gets the same process: a real conversation, a considered concept, and a piece built to last as a genuine part of a collection.
Start a Conversation
Share what you have in mind — the space, the story, and any reference images — to begin discussing size, medium, timeline, and pricing for an original painting commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is commissioning a painting different from commissioning a mural? A painting is created in the studio and delivered or shipped to its destination, while a mural is painted directly on-site — different logistics, but the same design process.
Can I request a specific subject or theme? Yes — commissions are built around the client's story, whether that's a family portrait, a cultural theme, or an abstract piece built around a color palette and mood.
How far in advance should I commission a painting? Larger or more detailed pieces need more lead time; sharing a target date early helps set a realistic timeline.
