Steps to A Beautiful Memorial

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Please let me know your needs and ideas. Send me your photos, sketches, drawings, screenshots, etc. Inspiration can come from anywhere. You may have already visited a monument company in person or online. A lot of great ideas can start from their catalogues so be sure to take pictures.

NIf you have chosen a monument company, make sure they can have the stone delivered and picked up from my workshop in the 45701 zip code. If not, I can make recommendations to my preferred companies in my area. Most companies have a wide delivery area including across state lines. The role of the monument company is to provide you with a stone either from in stock or ordered in, to complete or have completed any sandblasting elements (like deep cut lettering), and set the stone in the cemetery. 

A rough preliminary sketch and any changes will be made for your approval and quote provided. The drawing may be eliminated in cases when you have provided a quality photo with little to no changes. To proceed, your approval and a 50% deposit is required, and  is refundable until the final drawing and/or etching begins. The sketch may include hand drawing as well as photoshopped design elements to convey the layout rather than the quality of the finished etching.

Once the deposit is received, your project goes into the work queue and the final drawing can begin. Final drawings will be presented for your approval before etching begins.  This step can be eliminated in the instance you have provided a single photo that requires little to no changes. Less drawing is less time and less cost. 

If you are more comfortable seeing a final finished drawing before proceeding with the deposit,  a simple prepaid  fee for artwork will be invoiced in lieu of the deposit. Once approved, the 50% deposit will be due and the project moves ahead. The prepaid drawing fee will be deducted from your overall invoice. If you decide not to proceed, the artwork is yours to keep. All copyrights are retained by artist  and not subject to reproduction or change (see note below). 

Etching can begin as soon as your job comes up in the work queue after your stone is delivered. I will let you know when completion is imminent, and when complete. At that time, the balance of the invoice is due. Once paid, I will schedule pickup by the monument company.

•  It is important to note that unless an express written agreement is made prior to the drawing being made, all copyrights are retained by the artist and may not be legally reproduced by anyone or used by another artist without permission. If you only need artwork and design services and wish to have your drawing copied onto stone any by another artist or company, we can make those arrangements  in advance before the fee is invoiced. I am happy to provide you with artwork for any of your needs! 

• Your contract with me is separate and unique from that your contract with the monument company unless otherwise expressly stated before the job is invoiced. Special arrangements must be made in advance. 

• A contract for payment installments to be made in advance of any etching or final drawing can be made upon request. Once the invoice is paid to the satisfaction of the agreement, work can begin. 

• My prices are not "set in stone" even though I provide a "rough ballpark" price list, it is just to give you an idea of pricing in a vacuum. In art, there are no absolutes, sometimes an image is very complicated and sometimes very easy so your pricing will reflect your unique vision. I cannot charge a flat fee for everything and have it come out fair in every circumstance so it is important that you request your own unique quote.