Commisson Work
These paintings were commissioned by Pertos, a team at a large tech company. While I don’t often paint animals, I was excited to take on the challenge and am proud of the final result. The process involved significant trial and error to achieve the desired look, but my determination ensured that I delivered work I could stand behind.
The paintings are now displayed in the commissioner’s office and were also made into stickers for the team, further extending their impact. This project pushed my creative skills and allowed me to explore new artistic techniques in a meaningful way.
Client
Pertos
Year
2023/2024
Pertos Squirrel 2023
This was my first commissioned painting. The client requested an image of a squirrel—their team mascot—set in Stanislaus National Forest, designed in the style of a WPA poster.
To achieve this effect, I first created a composite image by editing a photograph of a squirrel in the forest. Using Illustrator, I stylized the image with a limited color palette to match the WPA aesthetic. This refined design then served as my reference for the painting.
Additionally, the client specified that the typography should be in Futura. To ensure precision, I printed the text, carefully cut out each letter, and traced them onto the canvas before painting.
This project was a rewarding challenge that allowed me to explore new techniques in both digital and traditional media while delivering a piece that met the client's vision.
Purtos Cat 2024
This painting, along with the one below, was commissioned by the same client as the previous piece. The client wanted to incorporate a team member’s cat—who frequently appeared in Zoom meetings—into the design. As a playful twist, instead of "Pertos," they requested "Purtos" to align with the theme.
Given full creative freedom, I presented multiple design concepts, and the client enjoyed two so much that they decided to commission both.
For this painting, I envisioned the cat on a crumpled piece of paper—a simple yet effective way to create depth. To achieve this, I printed an image of the cat, physically crumpled the paper, hung it up, and photographed it to use as a reference. The process of carefully studying each shadow and gradually deepening them was incredibly engaging. I am very pleased with how this piece turned out and proud to have delivered a design that resonated with the client.
Purtos is Calling Cat 2024
For this painting, I envisioned a cat making a phone call. The inspiration for the cat’s appearance came from an online image of a cat wearing a shirt that read “Mommy’s Boy” with a heart—I found it both funny and endearing. The cat itself is based on the team member’s pet, tying it back to the overall theme of the commission.
To create the text layout, I had someone call me, took a screenshot of the interface, and printed it out. I then carefully cut around each symbol and letter and traced them onto the canvas to ensure accuracy.
This painting was such a fun and playful project to work on, and I love how it turned out. It perfectly captures a sense of humor and whimsy, making it one of my favorite pieces from this commission.
