Commision Art with ASPIE

ASPIE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating supplemental income for adult artisans with disabilities. ASPIE helps these artisans generate income through donations for their original artwork using our online ASPIE Gallery, www.aspiesartists.com, and our Lancaster Pennsylvania gallery.

Our ASPIE artists offer commissioned art to individuals looking for artwork that is completely unique and custom pieces to organizations that want socially conscious gifts. You or your company can order a specific and original painting, drawing, sculpture, or photo to your liking. Sometimes the commission is to create prints, mugs, mouse pads or other gifts as well. ASPIE can handle the whole thing. It’s a wonderful way to get your personalized gifts and help these artists, who are enormously talented.

A friend of Jonathan Whitlock’s mother had a beloved dog that helped her get through those lonely days of Covid. When Simon passed away in 2023, his owner asked if Jonathan could do a painting of her sweet dog as a memorial and a way to remember him. Jonathan took on the commission, using a reference photo that was given to him. The friend was very pleased with the results and has since suggested to her other friends to do the same.

In another example, Colin Miller, a musician in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was in the process of creating music for a new album when he saw Jonathan Whitlock’s paintings in a local gallery. Miller commissioned Jonathan to create a new painting just for him. The resulting piece may one day find its way onto one of Miller’s album covers.
Phil Whitebloom is an amateur astronomer, a solar astronomer in particular. He commissioned ASPIE artist Steven Georges to create a junk-metal moveable sculpture of a telescope and gave Steven pictures of his own solar telescope. Other than that, he gave Steven free rein to create any sculpture. He commissioned ASPIE artist Kate Manners to create a pour painting based on any creative mix of pigments and design that would be her expression of the sun.
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They both delivered their commissioned work, and Phil was blown away, saying “They both exceeded all my expectations,” and “It’s hard for anyone to believe that this quality of art and the creativity behind it is created by anyone who is physically or developmentally challenged. It rivals the artwork of any artist with no disabilities.”

He travels as part of his hobby in astronomy. The latest gathering of astronomers was the Winter Star Party in Big Pine Key, Florida. Phil put Steven’s and Kate’s creations on display for all the astronomers gathered there at this annual event. Phil said, “I wish all of you could have been there to see the sincere enthusiasm for Kate and Steven’s works. The more they see, the more they understand, and are excited to participate and recommend ASPIE.”

Kate creates many paintings based on a client’s favorite colors or to fit the décor in a specific area of their home. And Steven Georges creates many other metal art sculptures on a commission with nearly 50% of his total portfolio as bespoke art pieces ordered by his art fans. Animal sculptures are in big demand.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) was looking for a gift they could give out to their customer service staff during their annual rewards event. They reached out to award-winning ASPIE photographer Jesse Buckwalter.

He provided three unique photo images to create a special coffee mug. The mugs were given as gifts to ASCE’s customer service representatives during National Customer Service Week. “The mugs were great, and Jesse’s photography was outstanding,” said Rick Tyler, Director of Customer Service at ASCE. “The staff were all excited about the size and quality of the mugs.

Jesse also receives many requests for existing artwork in different sizes. His sunset, woodland and lighthouse canvas photos are all available in the Lancaster gallery. However, some visitors just need them in larger or smaller sizes. He is happy to do that on request.

JP Henry, another ASPIE photo artist, had a photo selected by The Lynx Educational Foundation as their Christmas card and mass produced for their own purposes, with credit mentions to JP and ASPIE.

“Many people want to give a gift that is one-of-a-kind or have a piece of art that is completely their own,” said Jerry Buckwalter, President of ASPIE. “ASPIE allows them to get something unique, and to do some social good at the same time. Commissioning an artist through ASPIE can be a wonderful way to do that.”

Almost all ASPIE’s artists are available to do commissions and custom work, whether for gifts, decor, or other projects. It’s simple: contact ASPIE and arrange to make a donation; explain the type of artwork; and then receive the piece created just for them. ASPIE can supply the artwork, or in the case of corporate gifts, assist in procurement of those gift items.

Donors are the very heart of ASPIE, making it possible to help artists with disabilities show their work and grow more independent. If you are interested in any commissioned work from any of our ASPIE artists, contact Jerry Buckwalter, at 207-412-8090, or send us a message at [email protected].