Canadian Artist Graham Watts
Vancouver & Whistler, BC
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Whistler Art Commission: From Whistler to Texas, The Story Behind a Custom Oil Painting
A collector from Texas commissioned Canadian artist Graham Watts to create an original Whistler Blackcomb oil painting after discovering his artwork online. The art commission took approximately four to six weeks and included an initial consultation, reference selection, progress updates and delivery of the completed painting from British Columbia to Texas.
The finished painting, “Whistler Blackcomb,” now hangs in collector Charles’s home office in Texas.
For me, the story is also a good example of how someone can discover a Canadian artist online, commission an original painting from another country and still have an experience that feels personal.
Who Commissioned the Whistler Blackcomb Painting?
The collector was Charles from Texas, who had visited Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia several times over the years.
Whistler had become what Charles described as his “happy place.”
After one of his visits, he decided he wanted an original work of art that could capture his connection to Whistler and continue a personal tradition of finding local artists associated with places he loves.
That search eventually led him to my Whistler paintings and British Columbia artwork.
How Did Charles Find a Whistler Artist?
Charles found me through an online search.
He explored my portfolio of Canadian paintings and then contacted me directly to discuss commissioning an original piece.
As Charles later explained in his review:
“After searching the internet, I came across Graham’s name, and immediately gave him a call after looking at his portfolio.”
I returned his call that day.
We began with a conversation about Whistler, what the place meant to him and what he hoped to capture in an original painting.
For me, that is an important part of creating custom oil painting commissions.
Before thinking about paint, colour or canvas, I want to understand something much more fundamental:
Why does this place matter to you?
That is often where the real painting begins.
What Did Charles Want His Commission to Capture?
Charles wanted an original painting inspired by Whistler Blackcomb, one of the places he had returned to multiple times.
We discussed what he was looking for and identified the reference image that would form the basis of the commissioned painting.
But a commission like this is not simply about reproducing a photograph.
My goal is to understand the collector’s connection with the subject and then interpret that through my own painting style.
For Charles, Whistler was not simply a mountain resort in British Columbia.
It represented a place associated with happiness and experiences he wanted to remember.
The painting therefore needed to capture more than geography.
It needed to capture a memory.
Collectors interested in similar work can explore my Canadian landscape and mountain paintings or browse original paintings currently available online.
How Does an Online Art Commission Work?
Charles and I worked together remotely even though we were thousands of kilometres apart.
Our commission process included:
An initial conversation about his idea
Discussion of the Whistler subject
Selection of a reference image
Clear expectations about the project
An agreed approximate timeline
Progress updates while I painted
Completion of the one-of-a-kind artwork
Delivery from British Columbia to Texas
Charles later described the experience this way:
“Graham articulated the expectations with clarity and punctuality.”
He also appreciated receiving updates while the painting was underway:
“With updates periodically along the way, I knew I was in great hands with Graham.”
For someone commissioning artwork online, I think communication is extremely important.
A collector should not send money to an artist and then spend the next month wondering what is happening.
The process should feel personal and collaborative.
If you are considering a similar project, you can learn more about commissioning an original oil painting.
How Long Did the Whistler Commission Take?
According to Charles’s account, the project took approximately four to six weeks from start to finish, consistent with the expectations discussed at the beginning of the commission.
Creating an original oil painting takes time.
There are decisions about composition, colour, detail and texture, as well as the physical process of building an oil painting layer by layer.
Progress updates also gave Charles an opportunity to experience some of that process from Texas while the painting was being created in British Columbia.
The Finished Original Painting: “Whistler Blackcomb”
Eventually, the original “Whistler Blackcomb” painting was complete.
It was carefully prepared and sent from British Columbia to Charles in Texas.
This is always one of the most exciting parts of creating commissioned artwork.
I have spent weeks looking at the painting from only inches away. I know its individual brushstrokes, colours and textures.
Then comes the moment when the collector finally sees the physical painting for the first time.
Charles’s reaction was wonderful.
Today, “Whistler Blackcomb” is displayed in his home office in Texas.
My hope is that when Charles looks at the painting, it does not simply show him mountains.
I hope it takes him back to Whistler.
Charles’s Review of His Commission
Rather than having me describe whether Charles was happy with his painting, I think it is more meaningful to let him describe the experience himself.
“Run – don’t walk – to ask Graham for a commissioned piece of your choosing, or visit his art gallery to take a peak at his wonderful works of art. I am from Texas, and have visited Whistler Blackcomb multiple times over the years, and have really found it to be a happy place.
After my most recent visit, I decided to carry on my tradition of finding a local artist who could capture a scene of a place I really enjoy. After searching the internet, I came across Graham’s name, and immediately gave him a call after looking at his portfolio. I left Graham a voicemail, and he returned my call within the day to discuss what I was envisioning for a commissioned piece.
After describing what I was looking for and pinpointing an image that I wanted painted, Graham articulated the expectations with clarity and punctuality. From start to finish, the project took about 4-6 weeks, which was clearly outlined from the beginning. With updates periodically along the way, I knew I was in great hands with Graham.
I encourage you to reach your to Graham to have him create your next piece of work. You will not regret it. Please see Graham’s finished product, ‘Whistler Blackcomb’. It now is now proudly displayed inside my office at home here in Texas. Thank you, Graham!”
— Charles W Devoe, art collector, Texas — Google review
Review reproduced from Charles W Devoe’s original Google review.
What I Learned From This Canadian Art Commission
Charles’s commission demonstrates something I have experienced repeatedly as a Canadian artist:
People do not necessarily commission paintings because they have an empty wall. They commission paintings because something matters to them.
It might be a mountain.
A wildlife encounter.
A family property.
A childhood home.
A favourite ski run.
A memorable vacation.
Or simply a place associated with an important period in someone’s life.
Original artwork can become a physical reminder of that experience.
That is why I believe a collector’s first question should not necessarily be:
“What artwork will match my room?”
A better question might be:
“What would I love seeing every day?”
If you are exploring that idea, you can also browse my Canadian art portfolio to see the wildlife, landscapes, Vancouver and Whistler subjects that have inspired my work.
Can You Commission a Canadian Artist From Outside Canada?
Yes. My experience working with Charles demonstrates that an art commission can be completed remotely even when the collector and artist live in different countries.
Charles was in Texas.
I was creating his painting in British Columbia.
We communicated directly, agreed on the subject and expectations, and I provided updates while the artwork was being created.
The finished original painting was then sent to Texas.
Technology made the initial connection possible, but the most important parts of the experience remained very human.
There was a collector with a memory.
There was an artist with a paintbrush.
And between us was a shared desire to turn that memory into something tangible.
Collectors outside Canada can contact me about a custom painting commission in exactly the same way.
Can I Commission a Whistler Painting?
Yes. I accept a limited number of original oil painting commissions, including artwork inspired by Whistler, British Columbia landscapes, Canadian wildlife, Vancouver scenes and other places or memories that are personally meaningful to collectors.
A commission normally begins with a conversation.
We will discuss the subject, reference material, canvas size, expectations and timeline before the painting begins.
You can learn about commissioning a custom oil painting, browse available original Canadian paintings, or explore more of my Whistler and British Columbia artwork.
About Graham Watts
I am Graham Watts, a Canadian oil painter based in Vancouver, British Columbia. My work is inspired by Canadian wildlife, landscapes, Vancouver, Whistler and the mountains of British Columbia.
You can read more about my background as a Canadian artist and explore my broader Canadian art portfolio.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with collectors from Canada and internationally who have discovered my artwork online, through galleries and exhibitions.
Experiences like Charles’s continue to remind me why I enjoy working directly with collectors.
What began as an online search for a Whistler artist became a conversation.
The conversation became a painting.
The painting travelled from British Columbia to Texas.
And somewhere along the way, Charles and I became friends.
That is one of the true joys of being a Canadian artist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who painted “Whistler Blackcomb” for Charles in Texas?
Canadian oil painter Graham Watts created the commissioned “Whistler Blackcomb” painting for Charles, a collector from Texas who discovered Watts’s artwork online after visiting Whistler, British Columbia. You can learn more about Canadian artist Graham Watts.
How did Charles find Graham Watts?
Charles said he searched online for an artist after visiting Whistler Blackcomb. He discovered Graham Watts’s portfolio, reviewed his artwork and contacted him directly by telephone to discuss a commission.
How long did the Whistler Blackcomb commission take?
According to Charles’s review, his commissioned painting took approximately four to six weeks from start to finish, with the expected timeline explained at the beginning of the project.
Where is the Whistler Blackcomb painting now?
The completed original painting was sent from British Columbia to Texas and is displayed in Charles’s home office.
Can someone in the United States commission a Canadian artist?
Yes. Charles’s experience is an example of an American collector commissioning a Canadian artist remotely. The concept, reference material, expectations and progress were discussed remotely before the finished original painting was sent from Canada to Texas. You can explore my custom oil painting commission process.
What subjects can Graham Watts paint as a commission?
Graham Watts creates original oil painting commissions inspired by Canadian wildlife, British Columbia landscapes, Vancouver, Whistler and places or memories that are personally meaningful to collectors. You can also browse original Canadian paintings currently available.