​'Every child begins the world again.' - Henry David Thoreau​
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Due to the high demand for my original paintings and my desire to make each painting reach its full potential, I have made the decision to make a maximum of three commission spots available in a 12-month period. To apply for your vision for a painting to be considered please fill out and submit this form.

The commission process starts with an initial consultation after your form is submitted and reviewed. You may also apply for review of your ideas and vision for a painting in person by appointment.

The best portrait and scenic commissions are painted from life, Ellen's photographs or very high quality existing photographs of the client's, including candid family shots and scenes taken with up-to-date cell phones. I have to decline poor reference photos. Please let me be the judge.

I realize that good photographs are not always possible, as in the case of deceased loved ones, pets, horses and changed landscapes. I will make special consideration in those cases if possible. Working from poor photographs, or where you wish items in the photographs to be changed, can take substantially longer to paint and require an upcharge.

Initial consultations, and all consultations once the painting process begins, are free. We can meet in my studio and/or via phone and can communicate via email. Please fill out the Commission Request Form to begin the process.

Below are several examples of commissions.

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​Scenic Commissions

Beebe Healthcare Commission Award for SouthCoastal Cancer Treatment Center Lobby
"Tranquility," 72" x 36" oil on canvas

"Sea Glass Beach," 36" x 36" oil on gallery-wrapped canvas. Private commission of a secluded beach on Abaco Island in the Bahamas, painted from a small photograph provided by the collector and further research into the microbiologic construction of these coral cliffs. Bits of sea glass from this beach were incorporated into the painting in the spots the clients found them.

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"You Raise Me Up... so I can stand on mountains", name inspired by the song produced by Secret Garden.
Private Commission of the view from an overlook in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina

​People Portraits

"Maggie's portrait looked more like her than the photo Ellen Rice was given. We love it!" - Maggie's father.
At left, "Maggie," pencil and white chalk on grey Canson paper. Above, pencil sketch on paper of Albert Einstein. Below, pencil drawing of a friend's daughter in Zambia.

​Animal Portraits

"We asked Ellen to paint a picture of our three dogs with our backyard setting. It came out so lifelike that it looks like a photograph. Only better, because she captured their three separate personalities. We couldn't be happier. I highly recommend anyone who is thinking of getting a portrait or any other painting done to get in touch with Ellen. She is amazing!"  -- R. Raab

The smiles say it. They love the portrait of their "Three Musketeers"

"When we let Maximillian (above) into the room where we'd just had his portrait hung. He ran over to it barking and raised up and put his paws on the frame and woofed again.... It looked so real he thought it was another dog." - J. Geiting, Wilmington, Delaware.

At left, those who frequented Farmer Girl Exotic Gardens in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, will have been greeted by Gracie sitting at the counter. Sadly, Gracie and her owner have passed, but family has the memory captured in this portrait.