Easel takes commissioning artwork online

A narrow dirt road leading to some unknowable place is flanked by spindly trees, their branches arching over the claustrophobic path.

In charcoal-black darkness sits a spectral white home.

A skateboarder readies to drop into an ocean wave.

These are scenes depicted in some of the work of artists featured on Easel, a website created by two Laguna Niguel residents to ease the process of commissioning art.

“Easel provides the infrastructure for artists and clients to meet,” said co-founder Negah Nafisi, 24, of Laguna Niguel.

The website fills a void in the art world by providing a way to commission artwork online because there currently aren’t many options, especially with the straightforward method employed by Easel, Nafisi said.

Artists can create a free profile on the website and upload a portfolio. Potential customers can check out works until they find a suitable artist.

Once the artist is chosen, a messaging platform will allow communication between the two where the details of the commission can be worked out. The customer then pays up front.

Easel holds the payment until the commissioned piece is received by the buyer.

The artist can take photos of the work’s progress during the creative process. Before the piece is shipped, a final image is sent by the artist for approval by the client.

Nafisi came up with the idea for the business about a year ago while she was working as an automation engineering supervisor at UPS in San Francisco.

With a bachelor’s degree in society and environment and a master’s degree in transportation engineering, both from UC Berkeley, starting a website geared toward art wasn’t exactly supported by her academic background, though Nafisi once considered majoring in art.

After talking with artist friends who relayed the difficulties of commissioning artwork and marketing online, Nafisi decided to speak with co-founder Sahand Nayebaziz, 24, also of Laguna Niguel. The two were neighbors while growing up in the Orange County city.

At the time, Nayebaziz was working as a software engineer for media company Condé Nast in New York City.

Thinking that the idea was worthwhile, they left their jobs to pursue Easel.

The pair then set off researching and recruiting artists for the project by visiting art shows and galleries and conducting interviews.

Since the website officially launched in October, about 50 commissions have been sold, Nafisi said. It currently features about 200 artists, many of whom are from Orange County.

The art styles offered on Easel run the gamut, with ink, pastel and sculpting, among others.

Shane McClatchey, 24, of Laguna Beach has a profile on the website. His oil paintings and charcoal and ink drawings generally depict various ocean life and experiences he has had as an avid surfer and spear fisherman.

McClatchey said the website is valuable to artists because it deals with the business part of the transaction. The website acts as an agent for artists who can then focus solely on their work.

“I haven’t seen anything like this website,” McClatchey said. “I like it because it does the work that as an artist, I don’t really like doing.”

In order to keep the website free to use, Easel takes 20% of each commission when the transaction is completed.

This figure is small when compared to what galleries usually charge on sales, which ranges from 40% to 60%, McClatchey said.

“It’s totally worth it for an artist to go through Easel because of that low percentage for someone bringing you a sale,” McClatchey said.

For more information, visit easelforart.com.

benjamin.brazil@latimes.com

Twitter:@benbrazilpilot