Every commissioned artwork begins with a thorough discussion with the client to determine general direction/theme, size and budget. While many begin with the Art Request form, we often ask clients to complete a questionnaire for a more detailed description of the desired artwork. After these initial discussions, I create 1-2 starting sketches with pencil for the client to review theme, subject matter and overall composition. Then, once approved, I create color mock-ups to confirm the color scheme choices.

For this commission, I created a completely new and unique composition, formerly untitled but known as the Pistolera. The Spanish term pistolero refers to a gunman or armed bandit. Of course, here we have a beautiful gun-woman brandishing a shotgun. Pistolera also refers to a holster, generally a holder for a smaller firearm. Here the “holder” is of course the woman herself.