[Linda Nelson]

I've done several commissions now with women clients who want a portrait of the kids and plan to surprise their husband with the end painting.

But when men are concerned, I've been faced with husbands who would like to buy a portrait commission of the kids for their wife, but they know that their wife would probably like to be part of the process.

As my average commission is about $3000, I felt there needed to be a way the husband could give the commission with the pomp and circumstance befitting of something with such a pricetag. So I've created a gift certificate which is actually afixed to a box, which one opens like a briefcase. On the top is a private message, and below is the gift certificate, and tucked behind the certificate is a pocket area where info on me and my work is tucked in.

It costs about $50 in materials to put it together, but it's to help encourage a $3000 project to happen, well it's well worth it.

I think I'm about to get a commission this way as a results of a bunch of friends pitching in together to give a gift to a friend who is remarrying.

Hope this is helpful to others.

Linda