Commissioning a painting is one of the most personal ways to collect art. It begins with a conversation and becomes a collaboration.
Together, we imagine what is possible, guided by the light, movement, and emotion that define my work.
I have extensive experience in creating custom commissioned works for clients internationally, and I pride myself on working intimately with you to create your dream artwork.
I’ve created custom paintings for private homes, hotels, resorts, luxury yachts, and collectors across the world.
Whether inspired by a particular palette, memory, or space, each commission becomes a deeply meaningful part of my creative journey — and yours.
"Zaan's paintings not only complete a space but give it a unique atmosphere. Her work awakens dreaminess and the vibrancy of life. It is a joy to commission her as she keeps you posted on every stage of the process. She has even been able to reduce the size of her works to fit specific spaces while maintaining the integrity and essence of the piece. Her work is not just an investment in art but in personal joy."
- Anna Smit, Deco Collections, Cape Town, South Africa
COMMISSIONED PAINTINGS
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is taking on commissions where I work hand in hand with my clients to create something unique or specific.
It is a very intimate and communicative collaboration.
These are a few of the custom works I’ve created over the years — each with its own story, setting, and sense of place.
EVENING GLOW 2025, 122cm x 92cm / 48" x 36" (oil on canvas) Sold - Nanaimo, CANADA
EVENING GLOW for Megan & Gary
AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW 2024, 140cm x 70cm / 55" x 27.5" (oil on canvas) Sold - Halfmoon Bay, CANADA
Installing WISHES for Neil & Roxana
WISHES 2024, 150cm x 200cm / 59" x 79" (oil on canvas) Sold - Vancouver, CANADA
Delivering and unpacking WISHES
LOOKING THROUGH III 2024, for Allegra, 120cm x 70cm / 47" x 27.5" (oil on canvas) Sold - Bergen, NORWAY
LOOKING THROUGH III 2024, for Allegra, 120cm x 70cm / 47" x 27.5" (oil on canvas) Sold - Bergen, NORWAY
VIBRANT OCEAN II 2023, 61cm x 122cm / 24" x 48" (oil on canvas) Sold - Georgia, USA
LOOKING THROUGH 2022, for Allegra 120cm x 70cm / 47" x 27.5" (oil on canvas) STOLEN
ALL A-GLOW 2021, 210 cm x 90cm / 82.6" x 35.4" Sold - Ollon, SWITZERLAND
Redwan & Tatiana with ENIGMATIC REFLECTION in Munich, Germany
ENIGMATIC REFLECTION 2019, 200cm x 135cm / 79” x 53” (oil on canvas) Sold - Munich, GERMANY
SUMMER’S AFTERNOON IN RED 2021, 140cm x 90cm / 55” x 35.5” (oil on canvas) Sold - Vancouver, CANADA
- Julie Longo, Ph.D. Associate Vice-President Academic, Vancouver, Canada
DREAMY DAYS TRIPTYCH 2020, 50cm x 50cm / 20” X 20” (oil on canvas) Sold - Lake Bluff, IL, USA
DREAMY DAYS 2020, 51cm x 120cm / 20” x 47” (oil on canvas) Sold - CANADA
DREAMY DAYS TRIPTYCH 2020, 50cm x 50cm / 20” X 20” (oil on canvas) Sold - Lake Bluff, USA
CRYSTAL WATERS for Esther Chetner, 2022, 213cm x 107cm / 83.8" x 42.1" (oil on canvas) Sold - Francis Peninsular, CANADA
FALL REFLECTED 2018, 152cm x 138cm, (oil on canvas, Sold - Comox, CANADA
WATER LILIES for Nicole, 2018, 80cm x 80cm / 31” x 31” (oil on canvas) Sold - Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA
MAGICAL OCEAN for PELAGIE 2019, 100cm x 100cm / 39” x 39” (oil on canvas) Sold - FRANCE
MAGICAL OCEAN for PG 2019, 100cm x 100cm / 39” x 39” (oil on canvas) Sold - Stellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA
YELLOW LILIES for Nicole, 2018, 80cm x 160cm / 31” x 63” (oil on canvas) Sold - Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA
YELLOW LILIES 2018, 80cm x 160cm / 31” x 63” (oil on canvas) Sold - Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA
Work In Progress for WATER LILIES ON BLUE 2018, 210cm x 110cm / 83” x 43” (oil on canvas) Sold - USA
WATER LILIES ON BLUE 2018, 210cm x 110cm / 83” x 43” (oil on canvas) Sold - Danville, California, USA
SMALL FISH & TREASURE - for Celebrity Cruises, 2019, 213cm x 205cm / 83.8" x 80.7" (oil on canvas) Sold - Galápagos Islands, ECUADOR
SMALL FISH & TREASURE - for Celebrity Cruises, 2019, 213cm x 205cm / 83.8" x 80.7" (oil on canvas) Sold - Galápagos Islands, ECUADOR
SMALL FISH & TREASURE - for Celebrity Cruises, 2019, 213cm x 205cm / 83.8" x 80.7" (oil on canvas) Sold - Galápagos Islands, ECUADOR
PORTRAIT OF THE A COUPLE IN LOVE 2023, 50cm x 50cm / 19.7" X 19.7" (oil on canvas) Sold - London, CANADA
THE COUPLE IN LOVE for Lawrence
THE KISS AFTER KLIMT 2021, 150cm x 150 cm / 59" x 59" (oil on canvas) Sold - Halfmoon Bay, CANADA
THE KISS AFTER KLIMT 2021, 150cm x 150 cm / 59" x 59" (oil on canvas) Sold - Halfmoon Bay, CANADA
THE KISS AFTER KLIMT 2021, 150cm x 150 cm / 59" x 59" (oil on canvas) Sold - Halfmoon Bay, CANADA
GOLDEN TREES 2017, 80cm x 200cm / 31“ x 79” (oil on canvas) Sold - Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA
THE LAND BEYOND for Johan Truter, 2018, 200cm x 150cm / 78.7" x 59" (oil on canvas) Sold - Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA
THEY CAME FROM FAR AND WIDE 2010, 175 cm x 122 cm / 69" x 48" Sold - Wiesbaden, GERMANY
Ready to create something together?
Whether you’re imagining a custom piece, just starting to explore ideas, or have any questions,
I’d love to hear from you.
WHAT COLLECTORS ARE SAYING
“For a while, I had a concept stuck in my head, and when I saw Zaan’s water paintings, I knew she could realize my vision.”
- Julie Longo, Ph.D. Associate Vice-President Academic, Vancouver, Canada
“Thanks to this unique process, I have established a special tie to my painting, an experience quite different from simply purchasing an existing piece. And it turned out that the distance between Munich and the artist’s residence in Cape Town wasn’t an issue.”
- Redwan Talbi, Munich, Germany
“Our painting transforms a wide, blank wall into a seemingly textured essence of water, light, colour and calmness. We can gaze at the painting for long stretches of time, and meditate on the beauty, energizing calmness, and dynamic depth it offers. The sense of water and motion complements the exterior surroundings without duplication or feeling redundant. We’re infinitely thrilled to have this incredible piece of art in our home.”
- Esther Chetner, Vancouver, Canada
“I'm happy to report that the artwork was received and the buyer LOVES the piece! They wanted me to pass along their thanks for creating such a beautiful bespoke piece for them.”
- John, Operations Specialist - Saatchi, USA