Last Call for Christmas Watercolor Commissions: Give a Gift Filled with Memories
Christmas is getting closer, and things are getting busy at my watercolor table!
I've been spending lots of time in my studio working on custom paintings of family homes, churches, wedding venues, and other special places. And while I'm loving every minute of it, it's almost time to close my commission calendar for the Christmas season.
If you've been thinking about ordering a custom watercolor painting for Christmas, this is your last chance!
I'm preparing to close my Christmas commission calendar so I have enough time to finish each painting with the care and attention it deserves and get everything delivered before the holiday.
If a custom painting has been on your Christmas shopping list, now is the time to reserve your spot!
Give a Christmas Gift That Tells a Story
One of my favorite things about painting commissions is that I'm never really painting just a building.
I'm painting the house where a family raised their children. The church where a couple exchanged their wedding vows. The home where everyone gathered for Christmas dinner. Or maybe it's Grandma's house, where so many wonderful childhood memories were made.
These places hold stories that mean the world to the people who love them.
That's what makes a custom watercolor painting such a meaningful Christmas gift. It's something created specifically for the recipient, capturing a place that has played an important role in their life.
Imagine your parents opening a painting of the family home on Christmas morning. Or surprising your spouse with a watercolor of your first house together.
Maybe you want to give your children a painting of the home where they grew up, or preserve a grandparent's house that's no longer in the family.
You're giving them more than a painting. You're giving them a way to revisit some of their favorite memories.
And that's a gift I think they'll treasure for years to come.
What Can I Paint for You?
Family homes and childhood homes
Your current home, the house where you grew up, your parents' home, or Grandma's house. These are some of the most sentimental paintings I get to create.
Churches and wedding venues
Remember the place where you said "I do," celebrated a special occasion, or made memories with people you love.
Family farms and special properties
From a beloved family farm to a lake house or vacation home, these places often hold generations of memories.
I also love painting meaningful businesses, historic buildings, college landmarks, and other places that have a special story.
If you have a photograph of a place that means something to you, I'd love to help turn it into a beautiful watercolor keepsake.
Why I'm Closing My Christmas Commission Calendar
Every year, I start receiving Christmas commission requests well before the holidays. And every year, I eventually reach the point where I have to stop accepting new orders.
Original watercolor paintings take time.
Each commission begins with studying the reference photographs and creating a sketch. Then comes the actual painting, building up layers of watercolor, capturing architectural details, and adding all those little finishing touches that bring a place to life.
Watercolor also requires patience. Sometimes I have to let one layer dry completely before adding the next.
And because these paintings are so personal, I never want to rush through the process just to squeeze in one more order.
That's why I limit the number of commissions I accept each Christmas season.
This is my final call for Christmas watercolor commissions this year. Once my remaining painting spots are filled, I'll be closing my calendar for Christmas delivery.
If you've been considering a commissioned painting, please don't wait until the last minute!
A Personalized Christmas Gift They'll Treasure for Years
We all have those people on our Christmas lists who are nearly impossible to shop for.
Maybe your parents already have everything they need. Maybe you're looking for something special for your spouse. Or perhaps you want to give a meaningful gift to someone who has recently moved away from a beloved home.
A custom watercolor painting is a wonderful alternative to traditional Christmas gifts because it's personal, thoughtful, and created specifically for the person receiving it.
And unlike so many gifts that eventually get tucked away in a closet, a painting of a special place can become part of someone's home for years.
It might hang in an entryway, over a favorite reading chair, in a home office, or as part of a gallery wall filled with family photographs.
Eventually, it might even become something that's passed down to the next generation.
I love thinking about that when I'm working on a painting. Something that starts at my watercolor table could become a treasured part of another family's story.
Last Call! Reserve Your Christmas Commission
Christmas commissions are closing soon!
If a custom watercolor painting is on your Christmas gift list, now is the time to place your order. This is my final commission opening for Christmas delivery this year.
Reserve Your Christmas Commission
To everyone who has already ordered a commissioned painting this season, thank you! I've been spending lots of time at my watercolor table, and I can't wait for these special paintings to find their way under your Christmas trees.
Being trusted to paint places that mean so much to your families is one of my favorite parts of being an artist.
Now, back to painting! I have some Christmas memories to create.
I have a limited number of commission spots available for Christmas. Once I sell those spaces, I will close commissions until January.
The images shown here are examples of other custom home paintings I’ve created for clients. If you’d like a custom church or venue painted, you can also order that here.
This is a perfect way to capture the home you love, your first home, for a housewarming gift, a childhood home, a wedding gift for a couple's new home together, realtor closing gift, or any kind of home (or building)!
Here's how you purchase and begin the process...
1. Select the size of the painting you would like and purchase.
2. Next, send me a high-quality photo (make sure it's clear and in focus) of the home's front facade to info@nataliebradley.com. These must be high quality—I paint what I see.
3. Turn-around times are usually 4-6 weeks , but if you’re on a tight deadline, email me first to make sure I can meet your needs! info@nataliebradley.com
4. I will begin working on your sketch and will send you a proof before beginning the painting. Make sure you’re checking your email for updates. I cannot proceed in a timely fashion without a response from you.
If you'd like me to personalize this for you, like including an address, the family or home's name, simply specify when you email your pictures. Again, allow at least 4-6 weeks from the time of order for completion. There are no refunds on custom orders.
This piece will come unframed, not matted, and signed in a lower left or right-hand corner on the front.
Painted with watercolors on archival watercolor paper. It is highly suggested that you frame this painting behind glass and display it out of direct sunlight to preserve the colors and prevent fading.