Drawings are rendered

Creating Custom Wall Art: 7 Steps Over 12 Weeks.

Fri, Jun 10th, 2022 Now that the 5 Questions You Have About Custom Work are answered, here are more details on How the Actual Creation Process Works.

Once you sign on the dotted line and put your deposit down - the real work and fun begins. Each Custom order goes through 7 steps, which take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks from the start of clay on the table. Here’s what you can expect.

1. DRAW UP Ideas. Before you even commit to working with me, we’ve already discussed what you like and the feel you want for your home. When we get to the drawing stage, that means your artwork is next up on the table. I’ll create drawings so we can begin to refine the ideas. This process is as much of a give and take as we need. I'll direct you, but ultimately, you're the one who approves it.

2. SIGN Off on the Drawing. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how our communication goes. Either way, I begin creating your piece after you sign off on the drawing.

3. THE CREATION Process. Each custom piece is in queue. When we’re at the drawing stage, that means you’re next in line for the creation stage. Once I begin creating your sculptural wall art piece, I take photos of the creation process the whole way through. There will be a photo-share album where you can watch the creation of your art piece unfold. Each time I upload new images - you get an email. Tile making and clay design takes about 5 days on the table. Your wall art then goes onto the drying racks for anywhere from 7 - 18 days.

4. THE BISQUE Firing. Each wall sculpture is fired TWO TIMES. The bisque firing is #1. All tiles must be completely dry at this stage. The kiln fires for 36 hours and cools for 48 hours.

5. COLORS & GLAZING. Before I begin glazing, we have another chat to double check on the color palette. This is officially the halfway point of the project. Your second payment is due at this time. At this point it may have been 4 weeks since you received your first drawing, so it’s a good time to revisit colors. Once the art piece is on the table you’ll get photos & videos of the glazing process in your Shared Album. Glazing usually takes 2-4 days, and firing another 2-4 days, about a full week through this whole stage.

6. FRAMING. We are almost done! I’ll build the frame, paint it and prepare to assemble your wall art. This takes about 7 days. We will review delivery/pickup options and if I’m delivering it to you, we will schedule a delivery date.

7. DELIVERY. Wall art is either picked up, shipped or personally delivered & installed (larger pieces only). The final payment is due upon delivery. If the artwork must be shipped, then it is packed carefully and installation instructions, mounting brackets and paperwork are included. All shipped artwork is fully insured. Along with your custom wall art creation, you receive a Certificate of Authenticity and entry into my 'Collectors Club'.

"It was even more impressive than we had imagined..."
READ What Clients say, IN THEIR OWN WORDS

SEE Brenda McMahon Ceramics' Installation Gallery.



← BACK

Final Installation
Final Installation

Final Installation
Used as reference in the studio
Used as reference in the studio

Used as reference in the studio
Tiles are individually cut
Tiles are individually cut

Tiles are individually cut
Clay is cut & compressed
Clay is cut & compressed

Clay is cut & compressed
Each Mural is laid out
Each Mural is laid out

Each Mural is laid out
Some tools of the trade
Some tools of the trade

Some tools of the trade
Design work begins
Design work begins

Design work begins
sample texture tools
sample texture tools

sample texture tools
details are hand carved
details are hand carved

details are hand carved
Glazes are mixed
Glazes are mixed

Glazes are mixed
More than 25 colors available
More than 25 colors available

More than 25 colors available
Ready for Glaze Firing
Ready for Glaze Firing

Ready for Glaze Firing
Notes on Your Project
Notes on Your Project

Notes on Your Project
Brenda measures the wall
Brenda measures the wall

Brenda measures the wall
Installs the mounting boards
Installs the mounting boards

Installs the mounting boards
And hangs the artwork
And hangs the artwork

And hangs the artwork
Crates are built for shipping
Crates are built for shipping

Crates are built for shipping
Artwork is carefully packed
Artwork is carefully packed

Artwork is carefully packed
paperwork included
paperwork included

paperwork included
Crates are fully insured
Crates are fully insured

Crates are fully insured

Sign Up for Our Mailing List

Sign Up