The Commissioning Process
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Step 1: Contact me either by phone 214-998-8794 or email (via my contact form) to let me know of your interest.
Step 2: Choose the best quality photo of your pet! (see Photo Tips - Choosing a Photo and/or Taking a Photo). If you live in or near the Central North Carolina area, I am happy to come take photos for you for a small fee (see Photography Fee). Send the photos to me (text or email) in either .jpg (JPEG) format in their original size, if possible. If you only have a hard copy photo, just scan it and save it as a .jpg.
​Step 3: Once I receive your photos and we discuss the specifics of what you desire in your finished portrait, and what size would work best.
Step 4: A deposit of 25% is required to guarantee your order and get you on my schedule. Please note, that delaying a deposit payment may alter your position on my schedule and any completion times. (Shipping costs are not included in the portrait fees and are in addition. They will be determined at the time of shipping)
Step 5: Payments can be made securely through PayPal.me/elcanimalart or by check
Step 6: I will send you notification when I am to start working on your project. Once work has begun on a portrait, due to the ‘made-to-order’ nature, it becomes binding and cannot be cancelled.
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Step 7: On nearing completion, I am happy to send water-marked proof copy of your artwork for your approval, if desired, so that any final minor adjustments can be made before you receive an invoice for the balance payment. Full payment must be made (the 75% balance and the shipping costs) prior to delivery.
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Step 8: Once full payment is received, your artwork will be carefully package and sent via USPS or UPS. It will require a signature upon being received unless you notify me otherwise prior to mailing.
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Please note: The finished portrait will arrive mounted and matted, in a beautiful presentation format, and will include an official certificate of authenticity. Framing is not included, but can be added, if desired. Please contact me for details.
Additional Information
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It takes approximately 2-4 weeks from drawing initiation to completion of your artwork. Because my artwork is still an evening and weekends endeavor for me, waiting times may be longer depending on requests. I will let you know if there is a waitlist. They also increase during seasonal periods … to avoid disappointment, for special occasions, order sooner, not later. (Please let me know if you have a specific date requirement and I will do my best to accommodate.)
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If you desire, I am happy to send updates as I work on your project – it’s often exciting to see the progression.
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If you would like to purchase a portrait as a present for someone, I offer gift certificate options.
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All artwork remains the Copyright of the artist, Emily Lanier Cassidy, as such, no part of any image may be copied or reproduced.
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Returns Policy Due to the personalized nature of the commission, I cannot accept returns unless damaged in transit. Please take reference photos of the damage & contact me within 14 days. Customers are responsible for any return postage cost.
