Commission Spotlight: Salkantay Trail
Bay area resident, Deepika, recently commissioned a special work as a surprise for her husband. She chose CoCo Artist Justin C., an abstract figurative artist who is from New York City but works out of Norway. Here’s a little bit about how her commission played out.
Salkantay Trail, by Justin C.
CoCo: What was the inspiration for your commission? What were you looking to do?
Deepika: My husband and I had gone on a trip to Peru the year before and it was a very important trip for us as it was a celebration of success, on many fronts, for us both. Unfortunately, I lost my phone at the end of a 5-day trek in the Andes and lost all the photos. But then I stumbled upon CoCo Gallery. I figured that commissioning a painting was an excellent opportunity to give shape and form to a memory that only existed in our minds. Plus, it would be a great way to buy our first painting. Our wedding anniversary was coming up so I immediately jumped on the idea!
CoCo: Why did you choose that particular CoCo Artist?
Deepika: Of the three artists that my CoCo Consultant shared, I found Justin C. to have the style that spoke to me. I saw his painting titled Ugruk and knew that he was kind of free spirited in his expression and that's the kind of feeling I remember having when I was in Peru, so I felt he would be the right artist to bring my memory to life. I did have a second option in mind, but CoCo helped me zero-in on my top choice.
Ugruk, by Justin C.
CoCo: What do you remember about your first conversation with the artist?
Deepika: Our first conversation felt like he was really listening, he had looked at the materials I had shared earlier. He sounded really sweet and accommodating too. I felt comfortable having him use his imagination to create the painting I had in mind.
Justin C. adjusted the initial sketch because Deepika wanted to show her husband helping her cross the stream.
CoCo: Were you nervous about anything going into commissioning? Were your concerns allayed and how?
Deepika: I tend to be very verbose and detailed in my descriptions of what I am looking for. I was worried if I had left little room for Justin to express himself. CoCo’s guidance on how much direction to give to artists was helpful.
CoCo: If you had a very particular idea in your head of what it would look like, how did the painting turn out differently than that?
Deepika: The painting turned out very similar to what I had expected. I didn't realize how layered/textured the painting would be, so when it arrived and I saw how it looked up close, I was pleasantly surprised. I like that about it.
Justin C. eventually altered the painting to give it a more impressionistic feel per Deepika's request.
CoCo: What aspects of CoCo’s services were most valuable in your commission process?
Deepika: Help in choosing the artist from a shortlist and also in understanding how to provide input to the artist in the most productive way.
CoCo: Where is your commission now (where does it hang)?
Deepika: It's hanging in our bedroom!