YOUR STORY, TURNED INTO ART
Custom Street-Art Commissions Created Just for You
A COLLECTOR’S VISION, BROUGHT TO LIFE.
by Diego Tirigall
Some elements have been edited out of respect for privacy.
An Artist–Collector Collaboration
A Story Painted Together
This special commission for Tom is a perfect example of how a collector’s story and an artist’s vision come together. From his personal memories and cultural roots to my interpretation on canvas, the entire process shows how collaboration can transform life experiences into a unique work of art.
Scroll down to explore the full process — from the first message to the final delivery.
Where It All Began
1.1
The First Message
Tom wrote to me from Oslo after seeing one of my paintings titled It’s Just Voices.
He didn’t have a specific idea in mind, but he wanted to bring more color and life into his living room through art.
That was the starting point: an open conversation, full of photos, ideas, and possibilities.
First Email from Tom
Initial contact and collaboration proposal
It’s Just Voices
Large-format painting mentioned by the family as a visual reference
Interior with Painting
Contemporary setting featuring the large-format piece
1.2
How a Commission Works
Like in most of my commissions, a few practical questions came up early on:
- Do you ship internationally?
- How do payments work?
- How long does the whole thing take?
To keep this page from becoming endless —and to stay focused on telling this real story— I’ve chosen to share only the essentials here.
But the full process is clearly explained on a dedicated page about how my custom art commissions work.
Payment: 50% upfront, 50% once the finished painting is approved.
Progress updates: I send photos and videos throughout the process.
Revisions: Unlimited. The piece isn’t considered finished until it genuinely feels right — both to the collector and to me.
Shipping: International, insured, and packed with professional care. I use reinforced tubes, ultra-resistant cardboard boxes, or even museum-grade custom crates, depending on the size and destination of the piece.
And if you’d rather hear it directly from me or need info specific to your case, feel free to
get in touch — I’m always happy to chat.
1.3
Finding the Right Mood
As we started defining the size and budget, the first ideas from their side began to emerge: the colors of Norway and Venezuela —she’s Venezuelan, he’s Norwegian— and the possibility of including a nod to their dogs.
In one of their early emails, they described the feeling they were looking for with three words:
“minimalist, modernist, exclusive”
They wanted something that would bring life to their living room while staying true to that vision.
For me, the challenge was to go beyond the literal. It wasn’t just about adding elements — it had to tell a story. Having a defined color palette was a big step forward, and using one of my previous works as a visual reference helped us focus and move in the right direction.
Email Screenshot
First steps of the commission: ideas, dimensions, and references
Interior with In Out
Contemporary setting featuring the large-format piece
In Out in the Studio
The artwork in a contemporary industrial environment
In Out (Full View)
Original painting in full view
In this case, due to the final size of the painting (over two meters wide), shipping it in a wooden crate wasn’t a viable option.
For large works like this, the most practical —and what I usually recommend— is to ship them rolled in a reinforced tube.
It’s a safe, professional, and much more cost-effective solution than a custom wooden crate, especially for formats larger than 190 cm.
If you have questions about sizes, formats, or shipping options, feel free to reach out.
I always find a way to adapt the process to each case.
Creative Research
2.1
Marking the Space
With the size already defined and the first payment completed, the project began to take real shape.
As you can see in the photo above, the collector sent me an image of their living room, where they had marked with tape the exact spot where the painting would go.
That gesture —as simple as it was symbolic— marked the start of a new phase: it was time to think about what story would occupy that space.
The intention was clear from the beginning: to bring more life into the room with a piece that would add color, identity, and emotion.
2.2
Initial References
Among the key elements that emerged from the very beginning were:
- – The family’s dogs: Milo and Lupo.
- – Warm colors, inspired by my painting In-Out.
- – The flags of Venezuela and Norway, as a nod to their roots.
- – The Viking compass Vegvísir, a symbol of guidance and protection.
Viking Compass
Symbol sent as a reference
Lupo the Dog
Photo sent by the family
Milo the Dog
Photo sent by the family
Venezuelan Flag
A key element in the painting’s color palette and cultural symbolism
Norwegian Flag
A visual anchor for the artwork’s identity and roots
2.3
My First Contributions
As our email exchanges progressed, something began to reveal itself beyond the individual elements: this painting wasn’t just an aesthetic tribute — it was a celebration of a real family, carrying a very unique energy.
From the beginning, the collector involved his partner in every decision. There was a sense of mutual respect, attentive listening, and a shared desire to create something that represented both of them. That family synergy made me realize that what they shared at the core was just as important as their origins —
Venezuela and Norway, two distant worlds that, in this case, came together naturally.
I then proposed a more symbolic and narrative approach:
to create a piece that would speak not just of colors, but of unity, identity, and belonging.
And then something pivotal happened: they mentioned a cultural tradition that holds deep meaning for their family —
the Dancing Devils of Yare. That image clicked instantly. It moved me. It felt rich with history, strength, and soul.
That was the spark that lit everything else.
2.4
The Defined Concept
After all the conversations, it was time to shut the laptop, print out the visual roadmap (as seen in the collage above), and step into the studio.
By then, the overall structure of the piece was clear:
- – The mask of the Dancing Devils of Yare
- – The Viking helmet
- – Two women dancing hand in hand, one from each culture
- – The Vegvísir, the Viking compass symbolizing protection and direction
This roadmap wasn’t a formal sketch — it was a personal guide that helped me paint with focus and emotion.
Now the real work could begin: time to get paint on the canvas.
Phase 3
Painting in Progress
Painting in Progress
FIRST UPDATE
3.1
The Beginning of the Process
Whenever I begin a commissioned piece, I like to send a small sign of life. At this stage, the painting is about 30% in, and I usually share a few casual photos and a short video.
It’s not about showing results or aesthetics yet — just a way to say: the wheel is in motion. The painting exists, it’s alive, and we’ve officially begun.
Of course, I always remind them that it’s still very early — what they’re seeing doesn’t reflect the final direction. But that first glimpse is part of the story too.
First Strokes
Early marks and shapes begin to surface — the first signs of life on the canvas.
Sketch in Motion
A wider look at the raw beginning — base layers in place, ready to contrast with the final palette.
Work in Progress
Video snapshot of the early process — applying the first details using solid markers.
3.2
Early Color Choices
One of the key conversations we had early on was about color. The family came with a clear reference: the warmth of In-Out, one of my previous pieces they had deeply connected with.
But in my process, colors don’t make their entrance right away. I work in layers, building contrast first. Sometimes a figure is defined only by the colors around it — its shape carved out by absence, waiting to be filled in later.
That approach can feel a bit disorienting at first — as it did here — but we all knew the fire was coming. Their early feedback helped us stay aligned and keep refining the path together.
Red Devils Mask
Detail of the Yare mask, inspired by Venezuelan tradition on the painting’s left side.
Viking Helmet
Viking helmet: detail of the Nordic headgear on the upper right section of the artwork.
Dancing Women
Central figures inspired by traditional dances from Venezuela and Norway.
Viking Symbol
Nordic symbol representing heritage, painted with abstract language.
3.3
Key Figures Begin to Surface
In these early stages, several essential figures started to surface through layers still in progress. While the lines remain cryptic and the palette is yet to be fully defined, the symbolic world of the piece was already beginning to take shape.
The Viking helmet, the Diablos de Yare, the dancing women, and the Vegvísir compass were all envisioned from the start. The photos in this section capture that raw moment when ideas are present, but their final form is still waiting to be revealed.
3.4
Personal Checkpoint
Earlier, I shared the photos and video I sent to the collector — but this time, I’m including one I didn’t share with them. I always take a frontal shot at this stage, especially when working on large-scale pieces.
It’s not meant for others, but for myself — to get a clearer view from a distance. When you’re painting so close to the canvas, it’s hard to grasp the full picture.
This kind of image becomes a personal checkpoint in the process, helping me reflect on how the composition is evolving as a whole.
3.5
Collector Feedback
At this stage, the dialogue with the family became especially active and enriching.
Unlike other commissions where I simply continue painting after the first update, here new ideas emerged thanks to the symbolic and cultural approach we had embraced from the beginning.
These weren’t random suggestions, but the result of a thoughtful back-and-forth via email, where I also asked key questions about memories, objects, and symbols that held personal meaning.
That exchange gave the painting deeper emotional layers and a stronger sense of shared purpose.
Here are some of the contributions and thoughtful details we discussed and decided to include or adapt within the piece.
The turquoise-green tone, which for them evokes both the northern lights and the calm sea. They pointed it out by referencing a painting of mine where that color appears. From there, I began working new layers to integrate it naturally.
(You can spot it on the bottom left of the mood board in the photo above.)The Porsche logo, one of his personal passions, was reinterpreted as the word WILD. I didn’t want to include the actual logo, as it felt too disruptive to the emotional atmosphere of the piece. Choosing that word was my way of preserving the symbolic meaning: it speaks to the instinctive, the untamed. To me, it also reflects the client’s identity and that free spirit that runs through the entire painting.
(It’s located on the left side, next to the Yare mask.)The blue dress of the Norwegian dancers, which I had initially painted in red based on generic reference images. They later shared a real photo showing the traditional attire from their region, and that’s when I started integrating it.
(You’ll see this update in the next photo gallery, around the 60% progress mark.)A Venezuelan mask, captured in a family photo taken at a traditional restaurant. When I suggested including a mask from the Diablos Danzantes, they told me they had photographed one hanging on the wall during that meal. Once I saw it, there was no doubt — that was the mask that belonged in the painting.
Lupo’s orange donut, a favorite toy of their current dog, which he carries everywhere. They sent me a sweet photo of it, and I knew it had to be included. It’s a tiny object, but one loaded with symbolic weight. I painted it very subtly — it’s almost invisible.
(You’ll find it in the next 60% progress photo, just below.)
Sometimes these contributions fit in easily. Other times, they take longer to resolve. Not everything in a painting is meant to be understood by everyone. Some details are just for the person who will live with it on their wall. And that’s more than enough for me.
SECOND UPDATE
3.6
Bringing the Elements to Life
At this new stage, with the painting roughly 60% complete, I began consolidating many of the symbolic and visual elements we had discussed with the family — like the turquoise-green tones of the northern lights, the reinterpretation of the Porsche logo as “WILD”, the adjustments to the blue outfits of the Norwegian dancers, the Venezuelan mask from a family photo, and Lupo’s orange donut toy.
The suggestions that had emerged in earlier exchanges were now fully integrated into the narrative, taking shape within the composition and interacting with what was already present on the canvas — as can be seen in the image gallery just below.
Lupo’s Chew Toy
The orange toy added as a subtle nod to Lupo, at the family’s request.
Aurora + Sea
A mix of northern lights, Caribbean sea, and a Viking sail rising over green-blue tones.
Porsche
The Porsche horse turned “WILD” — a quiet wink for those who know.
Mask
The ritual figure chosen by the family, from a deeply meaningful photo.
Blue Dresses
Traditional Norwegian dresses, carefully matched to the real colors.
3.7
Open Decisions
Beyond the elements already in place, I kept exploring other aspects of the composition. Near the top, slightly to the left, the word MILO appears — a visual play that also hints at MI LOVE, an intimate dedication to the dog who is no longer here. The use of “MI” works as a bridge between languages: in Spanish it means “my,” and in English it can be read the same way, adding an extra emotional layer to the phrase.
At one point, I tested the idea of adding an eye in the lower left corner, just beneath the Yare mask, but eventually decided to remove it — it didn’t quite belong within the overall atmosphere of the piece.
In the center of the painting, I added a Viking sail beside the dancing women, as part of that living blend of cultures and movement.
3.8
A Shift in the Composition
During this exchange, a very specific suggestion came up — one that ended up redefining part of the composition.
In one of his emails, the collector sent me an image of the painting in progress with a very clear visual intervention: he had placed a photo of Angel Falls — the highest waterfall in the world, located in Venezuela — over the canvas and added a thought bubble, like the ones used in PowerPoint. In that message, he proposed something very specific:
“We could use the blue sky as a base to also integrate the sea under the Viking ship”
That image, along with his suggestion, became a direct reference for what would come next. In the next update, you’ll see how I brought it into the painting — not through a literal depiction, but through a more personal, symbolic gesture.
THIRD UPDATE
Yare Mask 1
One of the Diablos de Yare masks, bursting with color and cultural intensity.
Yare Mask 2
A second Diablos de Yare mask rendered in rougher strokes, but equally rooted in tradition.
Helmet Up
Upward horns give this Viking helmet a powerful, almost mythic presence in vibrant color.
Helmet Down
A Viking helmet with downward horns, captured in expressive gestures and symbolic force.
Viking Ship
A symbolic Viking ship with bold brushwork and red-and-white sails crossing turbulent waters.
Sketched Boat
A loosely sketched Viking boat, barely outlined, adds motion and depth to the composition.
Angel Falls
Angel Falls merges with ancient Viking symbols like the Vegvísir, in a subtle cultural fusion.
Thor Hammer
A minimal and raw symbol resembling Thor’s hammer, hinting at ancient power through simplicity.
Rune Toy
A nearly invisible orange dog ring reveals faint Viking runes encircling it like a secret code.
Wild Horse
The Porsche horse reimagined with the word “Wild” and a glowing red aura around the shield.
3.9
New Elements
Here are some of the elements that were recently added or modified to complete the painting:
- The text “Mi Love” is now visually connected to the phrase “Beyond Finish Line,” symbolically linking the memory of Milo (the dog who is no longer here) with the idea of moving forward — going beyond what seems like the end.
- Angel Falls, suggested by the family, was incorporated symbolically at the center of the painting. Its silhouette blends with a Viking symbol (Ægishjálmur), creating a fusion of cultures, strength, and protection.
- Thor’s hammer was added at the upper center of the painting, bringing in a new layer of Nordic identity and reinforcing the vertical axis of strength running through the composition.
- The Venezuelan Diablo mask and the Viking helmet were both duplicated in a mirrored layout to create visual balance and give greater weight to these cultural symbols.
- A second Viking ship was added in the upper right corner. Together with the central one, they create a sense of movement and journey — as if both ships were sailing across the painting, following a shared path.
- A water effect beneath the Viking ship, with reflections and transparency merging into the clouds and sky of Angel Falls — integrating landscape and narrative into a single plane.
- Rune symbols around Lupo’s toy (the family’s current dog), adding a layer of meaning and spiritual connection around this small but significant object.
- Color adjustments, contrast refinements, and overall balance, including subtle finishing touches that seal the atmosphere of the piece.
phase 4
Final Delivery and Reception
Final Delivery and Reception
4.1
The End of the Journey
I’m sharing this screenshot because I believe there’s no better way to capture what we both felt upon reaching the end of the process.
Tom and his family received the painting with excitement and emotion. What moved me most was reading a phrase that, without knowing it, perfectly sums up what I seek most in my work:
“This is a painting that we can study and find new details for years to come.”
What I wish for most as an artist is that a painting invites people to look at it more than once — to discover something new over time.
A snapshot that sums up this moment in the process: the delivery notice, the confirmation of customs payment, and — above all — the continued close communication right through to the end.
4.2
From Framing to Celebration
When the painting arrived, Tom shared every step with great enthusiasm — from stretching and framing to its final placement. They even chose to seal a few small windows in the living room so nothing would visually compete with the artwork on the wall.
The images speak for themselves, but one message, to me, says it all:
“You are the reason the living room and our life’s are being upgraded.”
Knowing that a painting can have that kind of impact — to the point of
inspiring them to seal windows just to welcome it —
is something that moves me deeply.
And it didn’t stop there: they even told me they hosted a small gathering to share the piece with friends and family.
Interested in a Custom Commission?
Sometimes the hardest part is just starting the conversation.I’ll walk you through the process and bring my experience to the table, helping shape your idea—no matter how unusual or ambitious it may be.
Commissions FAQ
Everything You Need to Know
1. How can I commission a custom painting?
It’s easy!
Click here to send me a message with your preferred dimensions and a general idea. In my first reply, I’ll share a clear, fixed price (or options) so you can quickly see if it fits what you have in mind.
You don’t need to have everything figured out from the start—that’s exactly what the 4-step process outlined above is for. But even before confirming the commission, I often share early ideas or visual directions during our first conversations to help you imagine the possibilities.
Each project is unique, and I adapt the journey accordingly. What matters most is starting the conversation. From there, things tend to flow naturally.
2. Do I need a clear idea of what I want?
Not at all! Many clients simply request a piece similar to one of my existing paintings, while others start with just a vague concept or feeling. Developing your vision together is actually the most enjoyable part of the process—our exchange of ideas often leads to something even more exciting than the initial concept.
I recommend checking out this [url] example to see how a commission evolved from the client’s initial idea through our creative collaboration. You can also visit the full “Commission Stories: Behind the Canvas” section to explore more examples of how my collaborative process works.
3. Can I request a painting similar to one you’ve already made?
I can absolutely create a new piece inspired by a previous artwork that caught your eye — keeping its essence, style, and key elements.
What I don’t do are exact copies. That’s a deliberate choice: I deeply respect those who collect my work, and part of that commitment is ensuring that each piece remains one of a kind.
An original painting should stay just that — original.
So if there’s a piece you love, I’m happy to work within the same aesthetic or symbolic direction to create something new that resonates with your story.
The result will not only feel familiar, it will likely feel even more personal.
4. How long does it take to create a painting?
If you have a specific deadline in mind, we can discuss it before starting to make sure it’s feasible.
5. Do you offer international shipping?
Preparation for shipping usually takes about 3 days, and transit time depends on the destination — typically between 3 and 12 business days.
Each piece is packed with maximum protection — reinforced tubes or gallery/museum-quality custom crates — to ensure it arrives in perfect condition.
6. How is the payment made?
Payment is made in two parts:
50% at the start of the commission to reserve your piece.
50% upon completion, before shipping.
I accept payments via PayPal, bank transfer, and other methods depending on availability.
7. What if I don’t like the result?
Simply put — it’s not a problem.
If something doesn’t feel quite right, I’ll make any adjustments or refinements needed, with no limits, until you don’t just like it — you love it. My goal is always for the piece to turn out even better than you imagined, as has happened with 100% of my commissions.
These aren’t generic works: they’re one-of-a-kind creations, made for you, with your story and your vision at their core. That’s why the process is so collaborative — I share photos, videos, and detailed explanations at every stage, so you can give feedback, share ideas, and request changes along the way.
It’s simple: if something can be improved, I’ll improve it. The end result should feel entirely yours — in every way.
8. Do you create large-format pieces for specific spaces?
Yes — large-scale paintings are one of my specialties. I’ve created commissioned works over 4 meters wide, including multi-panel pieces and site-specific projects. Whether it’s for a home, office, or corporate space, I can adapt the dimensions and composition to suit even the most challenging settings. I handle everything — from design to custom packing and insured international shipping — so your artwork arrives safely and ready to install.
You can explore examples in the Large Paintings section, or contact me to discuss a special project.
9. Can I see progress during the process?
Yes, I’ll share updates at different stages so you can see the piece evolve and share your feedback before the final touches.
10. Do you offer framing?
At the moment, all paintings are shipped unframed — this ensures safer transport, reduces shipping costs, and allows you to choose the frame that best matches your space and style.
If you’d like guidance, I’m happy to recommend framing options that will beautifully complement your piece.
11. Do you work with brands or teams?
Yes—and these are projects I find especially meaningful.
I’ve worked with fashion brands and high-profile offices in New York’s financial world, creating pieces that act as visual statements, shared identities, or narrative anchors within a space.
For me, these aren’t just commissions—they’re opportunities to expand the reach of art beyond the personal and into the collective. I love when a piece can speak not only to an individual, but to a whole team, to daily visitors, to everyone who moves through a space.
It’s a path I’ve explored for years and one I’m now actively expanding. Soon I’ll add a section on this site with real examples, but if you already have an idea in mind, I’d love to hear from you.