Art Commissions Testimonials -- Thanks to everyone for spreading the word!
Words cannot describe the beauty and marvel of the piece of art I have now bear witness. The sheer beauty of the color, the detail of the new background, and the new added scenery gives me a completely new impression of the Shivan Dragon. Thank you so much for doing this and I certainly look forward to contacting you again in the future to consult about additional pieces.
Joseph Rozell, New York
"I have searched for an artist who could bring my role-playing character to life. It's not as easy as one would think, as a character travels the realms of fantasy in a game which has no graphics. There is no serious idea of what their character looks like in the "world" in which she roams.
I came upon Melissa's site and stayed to look around. The design of the site is awesome, but what impressed me the most was Melissa's willingness to accept commissions and her detailed information on pricing and how to submit a commission....and, of course, the artwork she displayed. I felt her interpretations had more than just an anime look.
So it began...a collaborative effort between me, the holder of the identity, and she the interpretive artist. Melissa presented me with a couple of rough sketches, based upon my initial description and was fully open to "tweaking" anything I wanted to change...from the shape of the face to the background, to the smallest detail!
What resulted was truly awesome! The portrait of Cullien DeChezeray is truly representative of my character and she is represented in such a way that anyone who plays the same RPG that I do would understand immediately.
Melissa did this!!! (With some input from me.)
The bottom line here is...Melissa is truly wonderful...willing to work with you and is friendly and real.
My only advice is to not rush the artist and you'll never regret it. This was NOT what I'd consider an over-long commission...Melissa kept me informed every step of the way and worked with me to make my character come to life! She's the BEST!"
Deborah Hartline, New York
I'd like to thank you for all your hard work on my book cover for "Blood Fountain". Seeing the characters for my book become a work of art is truly amazing. It was fun to compare each sketch all the way up to the final finished result. Your use of color and dimension makes my book cover feel like each character is popping right off the page. I can imagine it pulling a reader right in and feeling like they are part of my story. I look forward to us working together again on my side/filler characters in the near future.
Cami Rosenberg-Dews, Connecticut
Melissa's work blurs the line between Fantasy and Reality. Her work is so true to form and alive, that the viewer finds themselves forgetting they are seeing something that only exists in their minds. She has the ability to turn a daydream of an idea, into a full blown work of art. Her highly creative imagination may be the spark, but it is her artistic talent that makes these pieces live and breathe on their own. Fantasy becomes Reality when you own a piece of Melissa Benson's art.
In business she takes her commitments seriously and is diligent with her schedules; often exceeding the expectations of the client's own timeline. She is both flexible and generous with her creative ideas and is willing to curb her own hopes for a piece, in order to please her client. Collaborating on an original piece of art with Melissa is exciting, inspiring, and one I hope many more will be able to experience. I can only hope for our sake, that she never stops creating. ~
Amy Canby, Oregon
I write to confirm that I have received my order, and that I'm very glad for the result, the Nightmare painting is just the way I imagined it only better ;) hehe, I'm very glad and proud to be able to tell that its an original Melissa A. Benson painting. And I like the fact that there is small differences, that just shows that its hand painted and a one of a kind :D
Kasper Scharling, Denmark
"Just wanted to let you know that I've been getting a ton of enjoyment out of the Lord of Atlantis piece. It keeps growing on me. Commissioning my first piece of art was definitely one of my better decisions. We will definitely do another one..."
Jeff Mullen NY, NY
Lark arrived safe and sound. It looks great (it's framed now) and I can't wait for my girlfriends birthday to come around so I can give it to her. If it doesn't hurry up and get here I might be tempted to keep Lark for myself >_<
Thanks again for taking on the project and for doing such a beautiful job on it. There's a strong chance I might commission something else in the future (and I will certainly be bragging about this one for a long time to come).
It's been great working with you on this (even if I didn't do most of the work) ^_^
Devon Seltzer, High Point NC
She is going to love this. You did fantastic work. I know you're probably used to hearing that, but it's true ... I really think this is going to make her Christmas a very special one. Maybe next year we'll do the book illustrations! I think it's a fabulous idea! Looking forward to the finished product ... thanks again for all of your creativity and hard work. It's been a blast working with you!
Adrian Rush, Alexandria VA
I just got back in town a day or so ago. Tethered Sphere arrived and everything was wonderful as usual. I greatly appreciate all the work you do.
Jonathan Little, Pensacola FL
Just received it today :) Thank you very much, wonderful job on the colors, exceeded my expectations I have to say :)
Jesse Thornton
I got the piece today and everything was better than I expected. I look forward to doing much more business with you in the future.
Jonathan Little, Pensacola FL
We LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture!!! we got it yesterday and it is now hanging on the wall, so we can enjoy it always! Not only is the art itself beautiful, but the frame is awesome! Thank you SO much!!!!
Donna Chavez- Patchogue, NY
Thanks for the sneak preview, it is incredible. I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.
Tom Ashcraft - Maryville, TN
I got Alex and Kilfara today. I LOVE IT!!!! It is hanging in my living room right next to my first Kilfara Pic! Thank you so much! I will be in touch soon for a picture of one of my two other player characters!
Sue Capuano - Farmingdale NY
"THANK YOU. I checked out the commissions page to see the finished product...he looks awesome!!! Can't wait to see the whole thing frame and all!!!! Again, I am SO happy with him, and will be sending another idea your way soon... Thanks again! He looks cool!!!!
And then when she got it ...
I just want to say THANKYOU!!!!! He looks better than I could've imagined, and he has just redecorated my entire wall. (I, of course, had to position him in the best spot, and then work everything else on the wall in accordance to how good they looked around him.) I had no idea that I would be getting a 5x7, so that was an added surprise! I now make my sister pay homage when she enters my room. Thanks again!!!! And if you want to put these comments on your website too, go right ahead!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!
Donna Chavez- Patchogue, NY
Melissa --
I am trying to create a new word for my response to seeing the b/w sketch. I am trying do mix zowie, wow, and several onomatopoeia (<- needless linguistic term).
Leave it to say that when I was done looking at it and making gleeful noises, I was speechless.
GREAT WORK.
To heck with the state of Kansas thingie. Why stick your foot in a Rembrandt?
I LOVE IT AS IS. MY GOD I HAD NO IDEA!
Joel Fry - Blue Horse Trading Co. Wichita, KS
My name is Mark Miller. The name of the commission was Seath Darcstar.
The reason I am e-mailing you is I wanted to thank you for the time and care you have put into the piece, it is truly a perfect representation of my character. Your touch to the paper is more magical than the spell Seath is casting in the piece. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
MARK MILLER - OH
I've been a gamer for several years now and I know how attached you get to you role-playing characters - how they became a part of you. Well, let me tell you, Melissa Benson breathes life into them in way that I, personally, never thought possible.
I've commissioned two pieces from her and both have turned out beautifully. She captured not only the outward image of the characters, but also the attitude, the nuance and the subtlety. The characters were all right there, laid out in rich detail before my eyes. She has a deep understanding of characterization in the way that personality translates into appearance and. It was amazing! It was as if my prized characters had somehow walked into the room to have their respective portrait drawn, only they turned out looking better than I had originally pictured.
And matching her towering skill as an artist is her towering patience and approachability when it comes to requests, changes and opinions where the art is concerned. I don't know about you, but I'm one of those kinds of gamers that knows just how my character looks, precisely how items, weapons and such look as well as a thousand other little details I fuss over. Basically, I'm very picky. It's a character flaw, ( no pun intended ) I know. Well, Melissa showed infinite tolerance with me on that. There was no talk about her "muse not being right'' or other such esoteric nonsense about "changing her art" when you ask for changes or give opinions. I believe that's because she's genuinely interested in bringing you what it is you want.
I've been a fan of Melissa's for sometime now - since the old Magic: The Gathering days, and I can honestly say that I am very surprised (pleasantly) at her prices. Getting an original piece of artwork from an artist of her caliber for the prices she charges, is, to say the least, awe-inspiring. It is WELL worth what you put into it. Several of my friends from the same gaming group have commissioned pieces from her and, to the man ( or woman in some cases), they have all been immensely satisfied with both the quality and the price of Melissa's artwork.
So, I can't say enough good things about Melissa Benson and her art, or couldn't you tell by now? Well, what can I say, I love it. But, this I know, if you try it just once, you'll become a believer, too.
MATT CARSON - IRVING TX-