Frequently Asked Questions
Commissioned artwork begins when a Collector reaches out to Marin to have a custom piece of artwork created based on their personal story or to capture the story of their business.
Once a commission is booked and the deposit is submitted, a questionnaire will be sent to the Collector prior to beginning the commission to gather details on sizing, colors, etc. Once Marin reviews all of the details within the questionnaire, a 60-minute call will be scheduled with the Collector to review the details and answer any questions.
Please note, the questionnaire and call with Marin are required to complete the commission process. If a Collector is unwilling to complete these two requests - Marin will not be able to proceed with the commission.
All commission work is non-refundable, including the deposit.
The best answer is - it takes as long as it needs to take. With a commission, Marin creates an entire experience for each and every Collector.
Creating a masterpiece that tells a life story is a non-trivial task to capture artistically. From the initial design details, to writing of the story book, to recording the short film - Marin puts everything into creating a memorable event on delivery day.
A commission can take 12 weeks or 12 months to complete. If you are working within a specific timeline - please reach out to Marin beforehand to talk to her about your timeline needs.
Yes. When Marin accepts a commission, she dedicates countless hours to each masterpiece. The larger the commission, the larger the time investment. With each and every custom piece of art, the Collector will receive the EXPERIENCE of a lifetime!
Yes, within reason.
To stay true to the artist’s style and creative process, should drastic changes be requested that do not align - the artist has the right to decline.
If changes are requested that align with the artists style\brand, additional fees may be added to the final investment upon completion. This will be discussed with the Collector beforehand.
Changes to the size or color palette cannot be requested once a commissioned is started.
You will want to follow these instructions carefully (and in order) if you have to ship your artwork:
The preferred method is to have a private shipping company handle\ship your artwork. They will take care of properly packaging your artwork, up to and including crating your art (if needed). They will FULLY insure the total value of the artwork. They also offer a white glove service so you don't have to worry about anything. If you need a recommendation for a private shipping company - Craters and Freighters services nationwide shipping.
If you choose to pack and ship it yourself, please follow the below instructions explicitly. If you choose to use a shipping company like UPS or FedEx, please read carefully.
Any variations in packing material can cause damage to the piece and could result in a total loss if not followed explicitly. Please note, FedEx covers a max value of $1000 of insurance for original art. If the piece is lost or stolen, you will NOT be reimbursed for the price you paid for your artwork.
At no point should tape, glue, bubble wrap, cardboard, etc be placed directly on the painting. The first layer MUST be Glassine Paper.
Layer 1 - Glassine Paper should completely cover the entire painting (front, back, and sides). Marin recommends wrapping the piece with 2 layers and wrapping it like a Christmas present. This paper protects the painting from environmental elements and it's imperative it be the first layer to touch the painting.
Layer 2 - 2 inches of bubble wrap surrounding the entirety of the painting.
Layer 3 - Corner protectors - All 4 corners should be protected and taped securely
Layer 4 - Full size sheet of single or double ply cardboard. These sheets may need to be custom cut to fit the dimensions of the piece.
Final Step - Shipping box. If the original shipping box was discarded a new one will need to be acquired. If there are any gaps surrounding the painting, once it's placed in the box, additional bubble wrap may be needed to ensure the painting is not sliding during shipment.
If you have any questions or would like to consult with Marin prior to shipping your artwork, please email Marin at info@marinlee.com
Yes. Collectors can request limited copyright to their artwork upon completion.
This means Marin will not use any digital images of the artwork on any printed materials (greeting cards, journals, etc).
As the artist, Marin owns creative rights to the artwork so the Collector cannot use digital imaging, or any other means, to create physical or virtual products for personal use or resale. In the event copyright is violated, legal action will be taken.
Each painting is carefully packaged to ensure safety of the artwork during transport. Any shipments outside of the US may result in the Collector paying additional fees and any shipments that require freight shipping (due to the size of the piece) may also require additional shipping charges to be paid.
ALL artwork is shipped with a signature required upon delivery. It is the responsibility of the Collector to ensure someone will be onsite to accept the package when it's delivered. Since fine art is delicate in nature, it cannot be left outside exposed to the elements or left in a place where the temperature\humidity is not controlled.
Marin contracts a private shipping service that includes a full white glove delivery (upon request) for all commission deliveries.
As the artist, Marin handles the title of the piece the same as the creation process. If a title is assigned to the piece before it's created, it can potentially subtract from the organic development of the commission.
As the Collector, you are empowered to convey what statement you’d like the piece to make and Marin will absolutely embed that into the final creation!
To confirm booking for a commission, a $1500 non-refundable deposit is requested (this is applied to the final cost of the piece).
Any commissions $5000 or less will need to be paid in full prior to the start date. Any commissions above $5000 will be broken into two (2) installments as follows: a 50% investment of the total cost is required 14 days prior to the start date, with the final investment paid to the artist prior to the piece shipping. Artwork will not ship until the balance is paid in full.
If at any point during the commission process the Collector cannot pay the balance, decides to cancel the commission, cannot pay the balance in a timely manner, or ceases contact with Marin - any funds paid to the artist will be forfeited by the Collector. As the artist, Marin then has the right to sell the piece.
All commission work is non-refundable.