FAQ

I typically book out about 2 months in advance, on average.

In the past, I opened a limited number of commission spots at a time, but I’m now transitioning into an online shop model where I manage ongoing availability across all of my custom art services in one place—based on my painting schedule.

Because each piece is made by hand and demand is often high, I occasionally pause new orders to ensure I can maintain a thoughtful, high-quality experience for every client.

Ornaments and decanters will be released and restocked seasonally through my online shop.

To be the first to know when commissions reopen or new custom pieces become available, join my email list and follow along on Instagram @ELPaintings.

When commissions are open, you can place your order directly through my online: Order Custom Art, add to cart, and check out.

If commissions are currently closed, the product pages will say “Sold Out”

Turnaround time varies depending on the product and the season, but standard turnaround time is usually 6-8 weeks.

If you’re ordering a custom painting for a specific date or occasion, you can share that deadline and I’ll do my best to accommodate it.

But to guarantee delivery for tighter timelines, a rush option is available for a $100 fee, which moves your piece to the front of my production line.

All custom work is handled with care and clear communication throughout the process. Full details can be found in my Studio Policies.

Right now, I am only shipping to customers within the U.S.

Check out my Reference Photo Guide: Here

For Pet Portraits, please provide clear, well-lit photos that show your pet’s natural coloring and personality. I prefer a straight-on angle rather than a top-down view, but side profiles also work well!

For Custom Places, a straight-on angle is also preferred, showing the full building: sides, ground and roofing.

You can upload 1 Primary Photo and up to 2 Supporting Photos, if needed.

All reference photos will need to be submitted to me, showing the angle of the (building, venue, house, or date spot) that you want, in order to move forward with completing your order.

I recommend exploring the location on Google Earth; you may be able to “walk” the street and grab a screenshot. If it’s a business, you can also check their website, social media feed, or tagged photos for good references.

I understand how meaningful these portraits can be, especially when new photos aren’t possible. If your photo is primarily straight on, there’s a good chance I’ll be able to work from it.

However, there may be a slight chance I’ll need to decline and refund your order if the photo is too blurry, or taken from too far away.

But if I feel the photos are sufficient, I’ll work closely with you to ensure your pet’s photo and spirit is captured how you remember it to be.

I can recreate the same pet more than once for Custom Ornaments only.

For larger custom portraits, each painting is created as a one-of-a-kind original, and I’d like to keep it that way. If you’re ordering an 8×10” paper portrait or larger and would also like a version for yourself or someone else, I offer a high-quality digital photo replica of the finished painting as an add-on.

Because every hand-painted piece is original, a second painting of the same pet would never be an exact match to the first. A digital replica allows you to print or display the artwork however you’d like, while preserving the uniqueness of the original painting

Absolutely! I can provide a high-quality PNG photo of your original artwork for an additional fee of $15. The photo can be used however you want - print it on a wedding bar sign, koozies, your phone background. This option can be selected as an “add-on” when you add another item to your cart.

Keep it out of direct sunlight, dust gently, and avoid high humidity. The varnish helps protect the surface.

Each bottle is finished with a protective top coat to guard against dust and light wear. To maintain its quality, do not scrub or expose the exterior to water.

Clean by gently wiping around the artwork with a soft cloth. The interior may be rinsed as needed.

Yes, I can ship your order directly to your recipient if you’d like. Please proceed to check out with YOUR billing address though, and email me at erin.elpaintings@gmail.com to let me know you want your order sent to a different address than what you checked out with.

For custom artwork commissions outside of my standard sizes and offerings, feel free to reach out to me here with your idea to see if it’s a good fit, and I’ll let you know what’s possible.

Well, thank you for asking! I’ve recently opened an Etsy shop where I offer affordable downloadable art and prints of my original work. Every purchase directly supports me as an independent artist and small business owner :)

You can also support me by sharing my website with friends and family, leaving a review, or by liking, commenting, and sharing my posts on social media.