The Good Doctor's Halloween

  Judy's inquiry arrived more than two-and-a-half years ago, in August of 2009:

"I saw your ad in the Smithsonian Magazine and it piqued my interest, so I browsed your website. I must say that you are very talented. My boss is crazy about Halloween, and I thought what a great gift for Christmas. He is very hard to buy for but this would beat all gifts past and future. I was wondering, though, how much is it to commission a picture?" 

As always, I responded immediately with pricing and details of the process. As I learned, Judy S. is one of the staff at a mid-west dental practice. When I didn't hear from her again, I concluded they'd likely decided upon a less costly gift. Though Judy and I corresponded for a while regarding a possible personal commission, I heard no more until an unexpected email arrived last spring:

"I am ready now to commission a piece of artwork for my boss. I will be giving it to him for Christmas, but would like to start now. I am having his wife get pictures of their house and the kids and herself. Looking forward to working with you."

Photos and information began arriving, and soon I had sufficient input to begin. I gather that Judy had been keeping her associates informed, since on June 1, the following brief email arrived:

"Let me know if you need any other info. We are all very excited about this project. He is a very difficult person to buy for. But we all know he will love this tremendously. This will be the gift of the century to him."

It appeared that now her fellow staff members were on board for this.

Initial sketches, a full color study painting, and the inevitable changes and refinements were dealt with in the months that followed. The painting was completed on schedule, and by October I sent off a final image, and the painting, matted and ready for framing, was sent, as scheduled, in November. Judy's response came soon afterward:

"The painting is wonderful!  The colors are so vibrant and the painting definitely has an air of creepiness. Every time I look at it a find another ghost.  You really did do a marvelous job. I know my boss will love it and so will everyone else. Your painting will be the best gift he will receive for a very long time. It has everything in it he loves: his family, his house, and of course Halloween."

When the painting's presentation date came and went without further feedback from Judy, I sent a brief inquiry. Her response was immediate:

"It went wonderfully. The doctor just kept staring at it and repeating softly, 'I like it, I really like it.' He also got a bit teary eyed. Claire, his wife, said that the picture was the best thing to give him. It fit his character 100%. It truly was the best gift to give him. What a perfect, personal gift catered to the special individual. All I can say that it is truly worth every penny to see the look on my boss's face when he viewed, for the first time, 'The Good Doctor's Halloween.'" 

SO WHAT HAUNTED, HAUNTING MEMORIES WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO BRING TO LIFE?

Email me by clicking here, or get in touch by mail or telephone using the information you'll find here  There's no obligation, of course. I'll describe how everything works: timing, sizes, pricing, and any other detail you'd like to explore. There are never any surprises or hidden charges.

 And you risk not a penny:
If I fail to satisfy you with my studies, I'll return your deposit. And we'll still be friends.
Contact me. Let's talk!