©2001-2011 Dawn Schmidt Ventimiglia. All Rights Reserved. No copying, no hotlinking, no use of EDA content in any form!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use Dawn's art for my tattoo, t-shirt, or other purpose?
Read the Licensing information and contact us to use any of Dawn's work (text or art) for ANY PURPOSE! Copyright violations WILL be prosecuted!
If you are looking for a unique gift with Dawn's artwork imprinted on it, we have many products available featuring the art, from clothing to fridge magnets in the Shop.
Theft of any images or text for any use will be subject to usage fees and prosecution!

FAQs:
Do you airbrush motorcycles? How to care for your fresh paint.
How do I pay for my purchase? Shipping Information.
Canvas portraits: pet, boat, car, home, etc. How to care for canvas art.
Reference photo information.
The commission process. Why are down payments non-refundable? I need to make major changes halfway through the project!

Commissioned Works

Dawn will create art just for you! Motorcycle airbrushing, murals, pet portraits, and more.
 

Handcrafted Items

One-Of-A-Kind items! Tribal Bowls, Hand-dyed Silk Veils, Pinstriped Purses & Trays, Belly Dance Belts, Henna Totes, and more, all created by Dawn in the Kukui Lagoon. Shop now!
 

Gifts & Clothing

Ready to ship items printed with Dawn's art and photography. Mugs, shoes, shirts, clocks, posters, prints, cards, calendars, and many more quality items. Shop now!

How to care for your fresh paint:

• Wash the bike using only clear water for the first 30 days. After 30 days, you can use a mild dish detergent or soap and water to remove road film. Avoid harsh detergents.

• Rinse with clear water. Dry with a chamois or soft cloth.

• It's unlikely that your Glasurit finish will ever need wax. If you choose to use wax, avoid doing so for at least 3 months.

• Avoid spilling gas on the finish. In the event of a spill, allow fuel to evaporate for 1 hour. Then clean with mild detergent and water. Rinse.

How do I pay for my purchase?
If you order preprinted items from our cafepress or zazzle sites, the ordering & payment process is secure through their systems. (https)

If you order items directly from us, or wish to have motorcycle parts painted, we accept payments through PayPal. We are a verified PayPal merchant, and you can securely use your credit card, debit card or bank account to pay. We will send an invoice and you do not need a PayPal account to make your payment.

For commissioned works, we require 50% down upon acceptance of terms, and final payment plus shipping before we send your artwork, or motorcycle parts to you. Please view the Commission Process for more information.

SHIPPING
We do NOT ship outside the continental US!
For bike parts coming directly from our studio, we ship via UPS or FED EX and all items will be insured. If you are sending motorcycle parts to us for painting, you MUST insure them and pack them in very sturdy boxes! We will re-use the same boxes to ship the parts back to you. Please use a bigger box with lots of packing, or better yet, use one box placed inside another with packing between them.

Smaller items from our studio are sent insured via the USPS.

Damaged Items: If there is any damage to the package when it arrives to your home, make note of damages with the carrier, take pictures, and PLEASE keep all packing materials to make a claim! If the shipper can't see how the items were packed, or how the package was damaged, you may not be able to collect on your claim.

_{UPS and the UPS brand mark are trademarks that are used with permission by the owner, United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All rights reserved.}

Canvas portraits:
I enjoy capturing the essence of all creatures. Send a few large, clear pics, and I'll paint a pet portrait of your dog, lizard, horse, llama, manatee, mammoth, fish, skunk, parrot...or your sports car, or yacht! Please view the Commission Process for more information. Portraits are a WONDERFUL gift for an anniversary (or a birthday gift), and a home portrait is a great way to commemorate a life event or a mortgage burning party!

Single Subject: Pet, Boat, Car, Home
18" x 24"............$225, FREE shipping!
Each additional subject: $75

How to care for your canvas art:
Acrylic paintings can be "dusted" with a slightly damp cloth - water only! It is best if you hang your artwork where it will not get direct sunlight, as bright light will fade a painting's color over the years. If you must put glass over the artwork, be sure to put spacers between the art and the glass!

Reference Photos:
Photos must be CLEAR AND COLORFUL, not grainy and dull! If you a "bad" photo, but like the position of the subject, then it's okay to send them, as long as you send additional clear photos.
BAD PHOTO!  
Does NOT show detail or color.
Do NOT send this type of photo!

"Okay" PHOTO
This photo shows more color, but not much detail. You can send this type of photo along with additional, clearer photos.

Sending lots of LARGE, CLEAR photos means your painting will look better when it's finished!

Sending multiple photos helps me get to know the subject. More photos is great!

BETTER PHOTO!  Large, colorful, and clear! I need close-ups of the subject's face, so I can paint the eyes correctly. The eyes are the window to the soul!

The Commission Process:
Due to the personal nature of commissioned art pieces, they are not returnable. Great communication is the key to a successful project! With everything on paper, there will be no question about the final product.

1. First, I request design, colors, size info in order to create a sketch and quote. Note: Due to the amount of time it takes to produce sketches for projects (murals or custom motorcycle projects), we require a $100 non-refundable art fee for sketches. This fee will be deducted from your final bill when the project is done.
   A.  If you are having bike parts painted, I will require info! Condition of your bike tins; any deep scratches, decals, vinyl pin striping, dings, dents, or other issues will incur additional prep costs. I may also ask for clear photos of your bike to assist me in the design process.

   B. If you are having a portrait painted, I will need large, clear reference photos of the subject I am painting for you.

2.  I will send a quote and sketch to you. If need be, I will "tweak" the design.
3.  Quoted price and designs are acceptable to you.
4.  In order to accept the terms of the quote, you sign a contract which stipulates scope of work, fees, shipping information, and timetable.
5.  You pay half of total fee as down payment (non-refundable) before work begins. We accept payments through PayPal, or you can send a check or money order directly to us. (Note: work will not begin until payments clear)
6.  I complete the project, sending photos to you for approval.
7.  You give final approval of the artwork, or I will make minor changes for approval.
8.  You send final payment plus shipping/insurance costs.
9.  After your payment clears, I then ship out the artwork.
10.  You receive your artwork, and enjoy it for years! :)

Why are downpayments non-refundable?
Because by the time you've made a down payment, I've invested many hours into your project.

Imagine that you've worked many hours on a project for your boss, and then he changes his mind halfway through the project...he still gives you your paycheck for those hours, doesn't he? Thank you for understanding that my work time is just as important as yours, and that I deserve to put food on my table, too.

Wait, I changed my mind! I need to make major changes halfway through the project!
If more than 2 minor adjustments are made to artwork already in the painting process, you will be billed a $75 hourly rate for additional time spent on the project. This RARELY happens, as we take pride in covering "all the bases" and getting everything approved on paper BEFORE we get to the painting stage.

We want you to be happy with the final artwork - just keep in mind that making changes will add time and expense to your project.  Great communication from the beginning prevents costly and timely problems later.