Commission a Haunted Painting

Have you ever wondered how your own house (or maybe the house you grew up in), might look in the moonlight, perhaps with strange light emanating from an attic window, maybe with some spooky faces peering from behind the curtains in a darkened room, perhaps with some trick-or-treaters (you? your children?) on the front walk? I can make it happen!

Of course, If you'd like your house pictured in broad daylight, or as an Autumn scene, or under a blanket of newly fallen snow (think Christmas!), or whatever your imagination can concoct -- please contact me. I can (and will be delighted to) do that too!

Would you like to see how I go about it? To see exactly how I handle each commission, click here for a step-by-step replay of one I recently completed ... a third of the way around the world!

I also invite you to visit what I call "THE ROGUE'S GALLERY" -- an incomplete showing of more than 30 commissions successfully completed at The Haunted Studio. Click here.

Check out several detailed examples of completed paintings below, then scroll down to the bottom of the page to see how easy and safe (as in risk-free) it is to get started:

"The House At Haunted Hollow"

Joanne S. asked me if I'd write something to accompany her completed Halloween-themed house painting:
Long have they watched from forest and hollow... the spirits that inhabit Haunted Hollow. Yes, long have they watched and waited.
"And this night is the fateful Halloween," they whisper in voices that scrape and scratch like the rustle of dry leaves. "Let us gather in the woods that surround the yellow house and inhabit its darkened rooms, but stay away from the light. There we shall watch and wait."

Soon the full moon rises, throwing long shadows through the nearly bare trees, where, in the deepest shadows, misty figures coalesce like swirling smoke.

Again the rustle of dried leaves: "What are the people of the Yellow House doing now?"

The people of the yellow house are lighting jack-o'-lanterns, spilling golden light on the pathways!

Rustle, scrape: "Silence! Prepare! Here come the children!"

"Aaaaahhhaaa! See! See! A little witch! A little pirate! How perfect! In a moment we shall have them!"

In the glow of the suddenly open doorway, a mother stands, her bowl brimming with Halloween treats. Eager fingers of pirate and witch pluck goodies to add them to their sacks. They turn and skip and run down the path, their happy chatter drowning out the rustle and scratch of dried leaves.

"Curses! So close, and yet I could not touch them. Why, tell me why?"

"Ahh, 'tis love... laughter and love... that conspire to protect them!"

And the clear, bright moon continues its travels over Haunted Hollow.

"The Best Halloween Party!"

They really enjoy Halloween, and every year their house is decorated from top to bottom. To add to their fun, they host a spectacular Halloween mystery dinner (they sent me the pictures), and everyone comes in the appropriate costumes. To bring the fun and excitement of the evening right up front, I came up with this "fish-eye" view of both house and party, including host and hostess, every one of their guests, a gaggle of spiders, spooks, macabre personages, disembodied heads, and several hidden ghosts I don't know if they've even found yet!
What was their reaction when they received the finished painting? Read on:

"WOW! I am not even sure what words to use. I love it!! I am so thrilled and so is my husband with his anniversary gift! You have truly helped take our favorite holiday and turn it into a family heirloom!! It will be passed down from generation to generation I am sure! And who knows it could actually become haunted, some day! Seriously, you have outdone yourself ! We will treasure this always. I thank you!"

"A Really Haunted House"

A stack of daytime photos, a single night shot, and reminiscences that included the ghost she's named, "Lizzie," who sometimes covers her grandchildren at night when they stay over, and whom she'd also seen -- just once -- in the attic window, plus her desire to see autumn leaves on the lawn, trick-or-treaters on the walk, and a full moon, were enough to get me started.

When I send a scan of a finished painting, I eagerly await a response. This time I don't have long to wait. Moments later, I have it:

"What can I say??? I love it!!!!! I just got home from Cajun country, Lafayette, and my picture is more haunted than the things I saw there. I can't wait to hang it....You should be so grateful for your talent!! I thank you so much!!!"

"House With a History"

It's the house in which his family was raised. Ted, a dedicated Halloween fan, wanted a special gift for his four now-adult children that would recall those special years. He loved the finished painting scan I sent him, and ordered prints, which (as I later learned) he hid away and presented to his children at Christmas. Here's the letter I received from the daughter on the left: (reprinted with Melissa's permission)

Dear Mr. Lehrman,

I am Ted's oldest daughter. At Thanksgiving my Dad said he had a great Christmas present for all of us. He usually gets us something strange so I didn't give it much thought or even try to anticipate what it may be. (He isn't good at keeping a secret either so looking back on that conversation, I am even more surprised he didn't sneak me a peek of what was to come on Christmas day.)

My siblings and I opened your paintings at the same time and we were all instantly crying. Our childhoods were spent in that beautiful house and to see it painted and us sitting on the step was so incredibly special. Then, after looking closer to the amazing details we see Dad/Egor in the window, the meaningful title and also our grandmother in the painting. More tears were shed! I recognized your work instantly as Mom and Dad also have your Strange Light painting hanging in their house. It is Halloween year round there as Dad is a collector of haunted houses and ghoulish items. It's not surprising your work caught Dad's eye! I can't thank you enough for capturing cherished memories and painting them as you did.

"Simply Spooky!"

Every client, it seems, has a different vision of how their house should look spooky. Some want the full trick-or-treater treatment.

Angela S. just wanted the effect you see here... lightning flashes from the sky illuminating the house and a chill ground mist, with only a few lights from within. Did you notice the misty steam twixt house and moon?

This was a large (20" x 28") painting, and a lot of fun to do. Angela loves it too!

"Shed Of The Dead"

G.H. and his wife operate "Shed Of The Dead" as a haunted attraction each Autumn, with admission proceeds donated to charities. He asked whether I could create a painting for their pleasure, as a reminder of the scary fun they have with the "Shed" each year. Upon receiving my E-mailed image of the finished painting, he sent the following message:

"This is unbelievable!!! It is absolutely fantastic!!! Don't change a thing. I can't believe it turned out this nice."

He also plans to order prints for family members.

Halloween Remembered

E. S. -- "Halloween was always a special and fun time for our family when I was growing up...decorating the house... carving the pumpkin. ...We all dressed up in our homemade costumes Mom made for us... and Dad would take us trick or treating with his mask on too!

She went on to describe a tragic time in her family when they'd had to sell the house, and how terribly they all still miss it. "I cannot tell you," she continued, "how much this painting would mean to us."

E. S. recently received her finished painting, and plans to order prints as Christmas gifts for her brothers and sisters. Upon receiving it, she wrote: "OH MY!!! Thank you, thank you, Lew! You did a wonderful job! You have managed to bring tears to my eyes. Us kids look great. Your detail on us is amazing!!"

"Overland Hotel"

A small stack of old photos, recent pictures, photocopies, and client reminiscences were the beginnings of this nostalgic view of the Overland Hotel, a family-owned business still in operation, painted as it might have appeared on a chilly late afternoon around 1930. This is a large painting (22" x 28"), with loads of detail, tricky lighting, nine people, and significant historical elements. Throughout its development, I checked and verified each and every detail with my client to make sure I was fulfilling his expectations.

As always, when I send out a finished painting, I hold my breath until I know that the work has arrived safely, and that my client loves it. I'm pleased to report that it did, and he does!

A Wonderful Home Recalled

It was the home of their dreams, and they loved it dearly. But with time, and the arrival of a baby, they realized that it was time to move on. Could I capture their memories of this, their first, magical home? With the help of dozens of photos, memories, E-mails, and sketches, their painting evolved.

R. V. -- "The painting arrived... safely. AND it's so very beautiful. I showed it to (our four-year-old) who smiled and was amazed that we could actually have a picture of our old backyard! A new concept for him. I love it!!!"

Here's how it works:

Click here to follow an actual commission, step-by-step, as it developed.

First we'll talk it over, either by phone or E-mail (no cost, no obligation), to discuss your ideas, desires, size, and the all-important matter of cost. (Very likely less than you might think.)

Next, you send me pictures (prints or JPEG images) of the house, etc., along with a fully refundable $150.00 deposit. Pictures can be daytime shots, color or b/w, old or new.

I'll send you a full-color sketch with my ideas. Should I fail to create something you love, I'll revise it and send you another scan, and I'll do so until you are pleased with what you see. If I can't please you, we'll call it quits and I'll refund your deposit in full.

When you are excited with the sketch and return it (along with half the remaining balance), I'll proceed with the painting.

When the finished painting is ready, I'll send you a JPEG image for review and any changes you would like. I'll make any adjustments you desire, until you are completely happy with what you see.

YOU MUST LOVE YOUR PAINTING! Only when you have approved the finished version is the balance due.

I sign, mat, carefully crate the finished painting and send it to you, fully insured.

If you wish, I can also print excellent copies of your painting for children, parents, or anyone else who might appreciate them. Prices on request.

Still have questions? E-mail me,
or call my toll-free number, 1-877-471 8718, daytime, Mountain Standard Time

Please be assured that your finished painting is exclusively yours. While I do reserve the right to reproduce your painting for promotional purposes (such as on this page), it will never be reproduced for sale through the Haunted Studio, or through any other means under my control, without your express permission.

To learn more, or to get started, E-mail me at Lew@HauntedStudio.com

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