I few months ago, I did something which I thought was very grown up: I commissioned my very first piece of art! I spent my first year in my apartment furnishing it—you know, buying things I actually needed: a proper bed to sleep on, a dining table to hypothetically eat on, and a couch to actually do everything on (including eating and sleeping). It wasn't until year two began that the empty space above the couch that I spend so much time on started to bug me. It was time for some art.

My search eventually brought me to Stasia Burrington, a Seattle-based artist who creates beautiful nudes draped and showered with flowers she cuts out of quilts.
I got in touch with Stasia through her Etsy store initially because I wanted to order one of her prints in a larger size. After exchanging a few messages, however, I found out that it was actually possible to commission an original piece that would fit my space and my budget. Depending on the size of the piece, a custom piece can run for approximately $200 to 500. Considering that the cost of a large print can run over $100 (and that the cost of framing is usually far higher than whatever it is you're actually having framed), a custom piece was well worth the money.

Stasia started the process by asking me what I specifically liked about the pieces I had initially inquired about. I told her why I liked certain poses, what I liked revealed and concealed on the female form, and which colors drew me in. She sent me some sketches, and once I chose one I liked, she went to work quickly. In a matter of hours, she sent me picture after picture of the work in progress, from the watercolor to the cutting of flowers. It was thrilling to see the art come together.

The finished product took my breath away. It was everything I wanted, from the beautiful colors to the figure Stasia drew and painted that's sensual without revealing too much. I even like how the girl ended up looking somewhat similar to me, even though it isn't me at all.

After much procrastination, I finally got around to having the piece framed and hung (with much thanks to my New York mom and dad, Bads and Bong). And here, at long last, is my original Stasia Burrington piece, in a place of pride in my humble abode:


Thank you for creating something so wonderful for me, Stasia! I will cherish it for many years to come.