What is it like to Commission Catholic Art?

Have you ever wondered what the process is like to commission Catholic art for your church, chapel, or prayer space? As sacred works unfold, there are many ripples of grace that take place. Each work created leaves a legacy behind and is worth the journey to get to the final piece. Artist, Kate Capato Florence Trained and based in Philadelphia, takes a moment to share with us what it is like to commission a work of art surrounded by prayer.

Can you explain what the process looks like to commission Catholic art with you?

Commissioning Catholic art with me is a prayer-filled journey. That begins the moment I receive an inquiry from a potential client. I pray that I am the right sacred artist for them. I pray that my skills are a good fit for the client. Once a client decides to commission a Catholic painting with me and share their initial idea, I take that vision and pray with it. I ask the Lord to guide and inspire the image. He is the main artist. With inspiration from the Holy Spirit, I create sketches to propose several options for the commissioner to choose from. From there, I use real models to actualize the chosen composition. I then hand-paint the final work in oil paints on a fine linen canvas. Once the painting is complete, it is taken to be varnished. We then have the painting professionally frame, if chosen. I consistently communicate with my clients throughout the entire process and continually pray over their sacred artwork. Together, we make a journey that the Holy Spirit ultimately leads.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by the mysteries of our Catholic faith, Catholic scripture and tradition and my personal prayer journey. Each prayer journey is unique to each sacred painting. The Lord teaches me more and more about who He is and who we are in accordance to Him. Theology of the Body is also a big inspiration for me. I try to articulate who we are as men and women through the Eucharist and how the Lord calls us into communion with Him. Nature is another inspiration and I love including it when I’m able to. I prefer backgrounds set in nature. It is always a joy to bring new ways of encountering the Lord to people and nature is one of those beautiful ways.

You mentioned you use real models, can you tell us about that?

Yes! When clients commission Catholic art with me, they are getting something that is modeled from real people. Models are a great reference to truly capture humanity in my work. Models dressed in clothes that are similar to what I am trying to illustrate and I make the scene as realistic as possible, lighting included, before I put the paint on canvas. I do try to make the figures a little more idealized. It’s a combination of showing humanity but also God’s grace and divinity in the work. Something OTHER then this life. I don’t want someone to look at one of my paintings and say “Hey, that’s Joey” but we see Jesus inviting us into something more.

Do you paint whenever the moment strikes or during a certain time of the day?

No, I don’t just paint when inspiration strikes. There has to be a discipline in your work when it is a full-time mission. I’ve learned that lesson and it’s hard at times. To choose the discipline of painting every single day, helps you grow as an artist and survive, financially speaking. 

What was your favorite commission to create so far?

What was a challenging moment for a commission work that you have had?

What do you love most about your process?

I love that I get to listen to the Lord and work within His timing and inspiration, it’s truly a back and forth. The commissioner definitely plays a part in beginning that conversation through their own conversation with the Lord. Working together through the body of Christ is a powerful experience. Seeing the final work as the Holy Spirit has poured out in all of us is really a privilege. 

You do private commissions as well as commissions for churches and other communities, do you have a preference on which you like doing more?

I love creating works that go where people can pray with them. It’s really neat when they are in spaces that a lot people get to do that. Churches are definitely a highlight of mine. I do love even when people put them in their chapels or places where they’re able to invite others into the faith. It’s all about sharing the Lord and I’m happy to play a part in that. 

Do you ever paint directly on walls?

What do you do if a commissioner comes to you and doesn’t know exactly what they want painted? 

In essence, this is actually really great when commissioning Catholic art with me! As long as the commissioner has a basic idea of the why behind the artwork, the prayerful experience they hope to bring to their community and who will be experiencing the sacred art, we can start from there. Having a key figure to focus on, like Our Lady, Christ or specific saint, is also very helpful. I take that basic information and pray with it and the Holy Spirit works from there. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will do the heavy lifting of creating the composition and articulating what the commissioner wants to have said through their painting. People sometimes get stuck thinking they have to have the whole painting figured out and think the artist is a technician but that’s really not how it works. A lot of the essence of planning the composition and the work is part of what I do. 

Do you share samples before you start the painting?

Yes! I do pencil sketches of the commissioned Catholic art at the very beginning. I then do a color study of the sketches in digital form for the commissioner to see. Each stage gets approve before beginning the actual painting on canvas. 

How long does each work typically take?

Painting usually takes about a month or two, sometimes longer if they are larger pieces. The whole journey for commissioning takes a bit longer. There’s the planning and praying together sketches. Then there’s the dry time which usually takes about 3 months before varnishing. It’s really a time of prayer and listening into the Lord. In this fast-paced day and age, it’s nice to slow down. I think waiting on the Lord as sacred beauty is being created does something powerful in our hearts. Each commission creates a legacy, in the home, in a parish, in a community. These pieces of Catholic art will be passed down for generations.

Thinking about having a custom work created for your space of prayer?

When you invest in a real work of art, you are creating something that will last for years to come. There is a power of leaving behind a legacy of Faith through beauty and Kate would love to connect and begin the conversation to make that a reality. Learn more here and see where the Holy Spirit may lead your hopes!

Find out what others have said about working with Kate to create a unique painting for their church!