Personal Commissions

Some places and moments shape our lives in quiet but lasting ways — a first home, a wedding venue, a place discovered while traveling, or a view you returned to again and again.

Through personal commissions, I create hand drawn watercolor illustrations that preserve meaningful spaces, objects, and scenes as lasting artifacts. Each piece is created slowly and thoughtfully, translating everyday moments into artwork designed to live with you for years to come.

Many commissions are created as meaningful gifts for weddings, anniversaries, housewarmings, and milestone moments.

Commission

Types
Framed watercolor artwork of a quaint street scene with a building and tree on a beige wall. Arwork by Swil Arts.

Home Portraits

Illustrations of homes that hold personal history — first homes, childhood houses, family houses, or places that marked a meaningful chapter of life.

Framed watercolor artwork with a romantic scene of a dinner table and flowers, on a light background. And a caption that says: "Will you marry me?" Artwork by Swil Arts

Wedding Art

Illustrations created for weddings and other celebrations — from venue portraits and invitation artwork to menu illustrations, monograms, welcome signage, guest book covers, and thank you cards. These pieces often become lasting keepsakes of a day that brought people together.

Framed artwork with watercolor and ink illustrations and text that reads "Dale Vale" on a wooden surface with a water bottle and running shoes. The illustration depicts running shoes, a bib from a race, a garmin watch and a watercolor. Artwork by Swil Arts

Milestones

Artwork created to honor meaningful transitions — anniversaries, relocations, new beginnings, or places tied to important memories.

Framed watercolor and ink illustration of a family in a car with luggage on a beige wall. Arwork by Swil Arts.

Story Pieces

Illustrations inspired by everyday places, objects, and rituals — a childhood street, a beloved neighborhood corner, a meaningful object, or a scene that shaped a season of life. These pieces often become thoughtful gifts that honor shared memories and personal stories.

Have a place or memory

 in mind?

Let’s talk through what you’re imagining.

Tell Me About Your Idea

perfect

for

A commissioned artwork can become a meaningful gift or personal keepsake for moments like:

  • Black and white illustration of an avocado by Swil Arts

    Celebrating a first home or family house

  • Gray line drawing of a cactus on a white background by Swil Arts

    Wedding or anniversary gifts

  • Black and white line drawing of a surfboard by Swil Arts

    Honoring a childhood home or meaningful place
  • Black and white illustration of a lifeguard tower with a flag on top by Swil Arts

    Marking a relocation or new chapter

  • Black and white ink illustration of a signpost of a motel with an arrow and star on a white background made by Swil Arts

    Commemorating a favorite neighborhood

  • Black and white line drawing of a Volkswagen van by Swil Arts

    Creating a lasting gift for someone who “has everything”

Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones that preserve a place or moment tied to memory.

What clients

say

“Working with Sara was an absolute pleasure. I commissioned a piece as an anniversary gift for my partner, and Sara was patient, thoughtful, and helpful through the entire process. She made great suggestions when I was unsure and incorporated special details that made the surprise even more heartfelt. It was a truly special gift that will live on.”
Sarah

“I commissioned a painting from Swil Arts as a wedding gift for my best friend, and the entire experience was incredible. Sara made the process effortless from the beginning, and the final piece was even better than I imagined. The bride and groom were over the moon, and it felt so good to give them something that truly captured the moment.”
Dmitri

“I ordered custom art from Swil Arts for my kids’ room, combining their interests into something personal and magical. With little ones at home, I had little time to make decisions, so Sara guided the process, asked thoughtful questions, and made it easy. She made the magic happen, and the kids now have personalized coloring print-outs too.”
Dorota

“Sara went above and beyond to create artwork of both our dogs for our wedding cocktail napkins. Her attention to detail was incredible, and we’ve already received so many compliments. We can’t wait to frame the piece in our home and share the napkins with our wedding guests.”
Jesse

Let’s create something

meaningful together.
Inquire About a Commission

What your

commission includes
Greeting cards with a watercolor illustration of a dog on a textured surface

A comprehensive experience from concept to heirloom.

  • Original watercolor artwork created with professional materials
  • Collaborative concept consultation
  • Certificate of authenticity
  • High-resolution digital reproduction
  • Coloring line artwork version
  • Digital booklet documenting the creation process
  • Art care guide for your painting
  • Insured shipping within the continental United States

These elements are designed to make the artwork both a meaningful keepsake and a lasting piece of your personal story.

Commissions begin at $750 for an 8×10 painting. Larger sizes and custom formats are available.

Why work

with me

Every Swil Arts commission is created by hand using traditional watercolor and ink on archival paper chosen for longevity. The goal is to create artwork that can live with you for many years and carry the story of the place, object, or moment it represents.

Pencil drawing, made by Sara from Swil Arts, of a building and tree on paper with art supplies.

community

impact

Swil Arts is a women-owned and LGBTQ-owned studio that believes beauty carries greater meaning when it uplifts the communities around it. A portion of every Swil Arts sale — from goods, commissions, and collaborations — is donated to organizations working toward a more equitable and sustainable world.

Not sure where

to start?
Artistic depiction of a fireplace with a dog, surrounded by watercolor paintings and stationery items. Illustrations made by Sara Wilczynska from Swil Arts

You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Fill out the contact form with whatever you already know, and I can help guide the next steps.

Helpful details to include can be things like:

  • reference photos you already have
  • the place, object, or scene you’d like illustrated
  • your ideal timeline
  • size ideas or intended use
  • whether the piece is for yourself or as a gift

Even if your ideas are still taking shape, that is completely okay.

Inquire About a Commission

how the process

works
  • Illustration by Sara from Swil Arts, of a pink Volkswagen van on a white background

    1. Share your story

    Tell me about the place, object, or moment you would like illustrated, and share any reference images you may have.

  • Colorful illustration by Sara from Swil Arts, of a surfboard on a white background

    2. Consultation & agreement

    We review the details of the project, timeline, and artwork size. Once everything is confirmed, we sign a commission agreement and finalize the project schedule.
  • Illustration by Sara from Swil Arts, of a skateboard with a plain design on a white background

    3. Concept and composition

    I review your references and develop a thoughtful composition for the artwork.

  • Illustration by Sara from Swil Arts, of a vintage motel sign with a star and arrow on a white background

    4. Creation

    The illustration is created by hand using watercolor and ink on archival paper.
  • Swil Arts watercolor and ink illustration of a lifeguard tower with a flag on top

    5. Delivery

    Your finished artwork is carefully packaged and shipped, along with the digital files and documentation included in your commission package.

Availability

‎

Each commission is created slowly by hand, and I accept a limited number of personal projects at a time.

If you’re considering a commission, feel free to reach out to learn about current availability. If my schedule doesn’t align with your timeline, I’m always happy to recommend other talented artists within my trusted network.

check availability

ready to

begin?

Meaningful objects, places, and everyday scenes often carry more memory than we realize — a home, a place discovered while traveling, a street corner, or a view you returned to again and again.

If there is a moment, object, or place you would like preserved through artwork, I would love to hear about it.

Inquire About a Commission