Turning meaningful places and moments into paintings

I create original watercolour and ink commissions inspired by meaningful places and personal memories. I work with clients across Burnaby, Vancouver, and the Lower Mainland.

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Popular custom painting commissions in Vancouver

While every commission is personal, most clients reach out for a custom house portrait, pet portrait, or memory-based painting inspired by a meaningful place or moment.. Each artwork begins with your reference images and is thoughtfully composed to capture atmosphere and emotional meaning rather than replicate a photograph exactly. If you’re unsure where your idea fits, that’s completely fine. Many commissions begin with a feeling rather than a fully formed plan.

Why I love commissions

Photo of artist Ally Noormohamed sitting on the bench smiling with his dog in front of Slice of Life Gift Storefront

People don’t always remember every detail, but they almost always remember how something felt. A walk through the forest. A home filled with years of memory. A place visited during a difficult or meaningful time.

That feeling is what guides the painting.

For a long time, I believed impact had to be structured and measurable. Over time, I’ve come to understand that art creates a different kind of impact, immediate, personal, and emotional.

In commissioned work, the story and memory influence everything from composition to colour palette. Reference photos are helpful, but the goal is not to replicate a photograph. The goal is to translate what the moment meant to you.

The process of listening, interpreting, and creating something that holds meaning for another person is what keeps me returning to commissioned work.

How a custom commission works

1.

Initial conversation

You’ll share a short description of what you have in mind, along with one or more reference images. This helps establish mood and direction, not perfection.

2.

Alignment & scope

If the project feels like a good fit, we confirm size, timeline, and final pricing. A deposit secures your booking.

3.

Artwork creation

Your custom house, pet, or personal memory painting is created using watercolour and ink on professional-grade paper, allowing space for intuition, layered texture, and expressive detail.

4.

Completion & delivery

Once finished, the work is signed and dated. It is carefully packaged and delivered locally within the Vancouver area or shipped across Canada.

Artwork style

Watercolour and ink portrait of a french bulldog

Commissioned pieces are created in my visual language — loose, layered, and expressive. While reference photos provide guidance, the intention is emotional resonance rather than strict photographic realism.

If you’re looking for highly detailed architectural drafting or exact replication, my style may not be the right fit and that’s okay.

Commission pricing and availability

Stack of Arches watercolour paper in various sizes

Commission pricing is based primarily on size, with final pricing shaped by scope and complexity. This includes custom house portraits, pet portraits, memorial pieces, and other personal watercolour commissions.

  • Small works (around 8 × 10 inches): from $225 CAD
  • Medium works (around 9 × 12 inches): from $485 CAD
  • Larger works (around 10 × 14 inches): from $800 CAD

I take on a limited number of house portrait commissions each quarter to allow for a thoughtful and unhurried process. Availability is intentionally limited, and commissions are confirmed on a first-come basis.

Based in Burnaby, BC, I regularly create custom house portraits for clients across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, and personal commissions for clients throughout Canada.

Payment is accepted via e-Transfer or PayPal (including credit card payments). If something here resonates but you’re unsure how to begin, the first step is simply a conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a custom house portrait commission in Vancouver?

The first step is a simple conversation. You can share a few reference photos and tell me about the place or memory you’d like captured. From there, I’ll confirm size, timeline, and pricing. I create custom house portraits for clients across Vancouver, Burnaby, and the Lower Mainland, and I also work with clients across Canada.

Do you paint from photographs?

Yes, reference photos are helpful, especially for custom house portraits and meaningful places. However, the goal is not to replicate the photo exactly. I focus on translating the feeling of the moment into a watercolour and ink painting, rather than creating a photographic copy.

How long does a commissioned painting take?

Most commissioned artworks are completed within 3 to 5 weeks, depending on size and current availability. Because I take on a limited number of commissions each quarter, timelines are confirmed during our initial conversation.

What sizes are available for a custom house portrait?

Most house portrait commissions are created in sizes ranging from approximately 8 x 10 inches to 10 x 14 inches. Larger sizes may be available depending on the project. Final pricing is based on size and scope.

Do you ship commissioned artwork outside Vancouver?

Yes. While I am based in Burnaby, BC and regularly create commissioned paintings for clients in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, I also ship across Canada. Artwork is carefully packaged to ensure safe delivery.

Interested in a commission?

If you feel a connection to this approach, you can get in touch using the form below. There’s no obligation, just a conversation to see whether it feels right.

Request a commission