Effective date: September 1, 2026
Last updated: September 1, 2026
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) apply to purchases, orders, and commissions from F.Murphy Art Studio (“FMurphy Art Studio,” “the Studio,” “I,” “me,” or “my”), including:
- Pocket and postcard-size custom pet portraits purchased through the online shop;
- Individually quoted custom-size art commissions;
- Original paintings and other original artwork; and
- Digital stationery and other downloadable digital products.
By placing an order, paying a commission deposit, or purchasing a product, you agree to the Terms applicable to that purchase.
These Terms should be read together with the FMurphy Art Studio Privacy Policy and any product-specific information or written commission agreement provided to you.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude, restrict, or replace consumer rights or other protections that cannot lawfully be waived under applicable law.
FMurphy Art Studio is an independent artist business based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Studio creates and sells original artwork, commissioned artwork, custom pet portraits, and digital stationery and may offer additional art-related products from time to time.
Unless otherwise stated, prices are shown in Canadian dollars (CAD).
Applicable taxes, shipping or delivery charges, and other applicable fees will be displayed at checkout, included in a quote, or communicated before the purchase is completed.
For individually quoted commissions, the quoted price is based on the agreed scope of the project at the time the quote is issued.
Accepted payment methods will be displayed through the applicable checkout, invoice, or payment system.
Payment requirements vary by product type.
Pocket and postcard-size pet portraits purchased through the online shop must be paid upon checkout.
Original paintings and digital products purchased through the online shop must also be paid in full at checkout unless otherwise stated.
Custom-size commissions require a 50% deposit to confirm the commission and add it to my working list. The remaining 50% is due when the artwork is completed and must be paid before the artwork is shipped, delivered, or released for pickup.
Pocket and postcard-size pet portraits are standardized commission options available for purchase directly through the FMurphy Art Studio online shop.
These commissions are different from individually quoted custom-size commissions.
The customer selects the available pet portrait item listed on the shop, adds it to the shopping cart, and pays the purchase price at checkout in the method the customer prefers.
The customer must then provide the requested reference photograph and any information reasonably required to create the portrait.
An order can only proceed once I have received payment, suitable reference material and the information required to complete it.
Customers should provide a clear and sharp photograph showing the pet accurately enough for me to work from.
For pocket or post card sizes, a face close-up of your pet would be good. I may request a different or additional photograph if the submitted image does not provide sufficient information to create the portrait.
By providing a photograph or other reference material, the customer confirms that they own it or otherwise have the necessary permission to provide it for the purpose of creating the commissioned artwork.
Pocket and postcard portraits are original, hand-created artworks produced in my established artistic style.
The finished artwork is an artistic interpretation of the reference photograph and is not intended to be an exact photographic reproduction.
Variations in colour, brushwork, texture, proportions, details, materials, and other handmade characteristics are inherent to original artwork and are not, by themselves, defects.
Pocket and postcard portraits are intentionally small-format artworks.
The amount of detail that can reasonably be included depends on the size, medium, reference photograph, subject, and composition.
Complex backgrounds, multiple subjects, unusually detailed compositions, or other requests outside the normal scope of the shop product may require a custom-size commission and separate quote.
I may recommend a custom commission where the requested subject cannot reasonably be represented within the selected small format.
Pocket and postcard-size shop commissions do not include a preliminary sketch approval or revision stage unless the individual product description expressly states otherwise.
Customers should therefore communicate important information when submitting their reference material.
Because these products are personalized and created specifically for the customer, cancellation or refund rights may be limited once work has begun.
Any applicable statutory consumer rights remain unaffected.
If I am unable to complete an accepted order, I will refund the full amount paid for the artwork I am unable to supply.
Custom-size commissions are individually planned and quoted projects.
They may vary according to dimensions, medium, surface, number of subjects, composition, complexity, materials, reference photographs, and other requirements.
Before booking, the customer should provide sufficient information for me to understand the requested artwork.
This may include:
- Subject matter;
- Reference photograph(s);
- Desired dimensions;
- Preferred medium;
- Number of subjects;
- Composition or background preferences;
- Intended deadline, if applicable; and
- Any other important requirements.
I will then provide a quote based on the proposed scope of work.
A quote does not reserve a place on my working list.
A 50% deposit is required to accept the quote, confirm the commission, and add the project to my working list.
The commission is not considered booked until the required deposit has been received.
Once the commission has been accepted and scheduled, the deposit is non-refundable, except where required by applicable law or where I am unable to complete the commission.
The deposit compensates in part for reserving studio time, planning the project, administrative work, preparation, and work undertaken toward the commission.
The quote is based on the agreed commission specifications.
If the customer requests a significant change to the subject, reference photographs, dimensions, medium, composition, number of subjects, materials, or complexity, I may revise the quote before proceeding.
Any additional charge will be communicated before the additional or changed work is undertaken.
Before proceeding with the final painting, I will provide a preliminary sketch for the customer’s review.
The sketch is intended to establish important compositional elements before the painting stage begins.
One round of reasonable sketch revisions is included in the quoted commission price.
This revision stage may be used to request reasonable adjustments to matters such as composition, positioning, proportions, or other elements previously discussed.
Requests that substantially change the original commission, including changing the primary reference photograph, subject, number of subjects, size, medium, composition, or overall concept, are not considered ordinary revisions and may require a revised quote.
Additional rounds of sketch revisions may incur an additional fee.
Any additional fee will be discussed and agreed upon before that additional work is completed.
The customer is responsible for reviewing the sketch carefully before approving it.
Once the customer approves the sketch, I will proceed to the final painting.
Approval indicates that the customer accepts the composition and other elements represented at the sketch stage.
Once painting has begun, significant changes may not be possible.
Where a requested change can reasonably be accommodated after painting has begun, additional charges may apply. These will be discussed before the additional work is undertaken.
The completed painting will be created in my established artistic style.
Commissioning artwork does not guarantee an exact reproduction of a reference photograph.
Natural variations associated with original artwork, including brushwork, colour interpretation, texture, materials, and artistic decisions, are part of the finished work.
The remaining 50% balance is due when the artwork is completed. I will be sending an invoice directly to the email you have provided.
The commission must be paid in full before the finished artwork is:
- Shipped;
- Delivered; or
- Released for pickup.
Ownership of the physical artwork will not transfer until full payment has been received.
Customers are responsible for responding within a reasonable period when approval, information, reference material, or another decision is required.
A delay in customer response may result in a corresponding delay to the estimated completion date.
Significant delays may require the commission to be rescheduled within my working list.
Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, turnaround and completion dates are estimates rather than guaranteed deadlines.
Original artwork is created by hand, and completion times may vary depending on the project, materials, workload, drying time, illness, unforeseen circumstances, or other factors.
Customers ordering artwork for a birthday, holiday, memorial, anniversary, or other date-specific occasion should communicate that deadline before purchasing or confirming a commission.
I will advise the customer if I become aware of a significant delay.
Unless the customer specifically asks me not to do so, I may photograph, display, reproduce, and share images of completed commissioned artwork for legitimate FMurphy Art Studio business and promotional purposes, including:
- My portfolio;
- FMurphy Art Studio’s website;
- Social media;
- Marketing and promotional materials;
- Examples of commissioned work;
- Exhibitions or presentations of my artistic practice; and
- Business-related publications or communications.
Customers who do not want their commissioned artwork shared publicly should tell me before the artwork is completed.
I will respect such a request.
Personal customer information will not intentionally be published with the artwork without appropriate permission.
Where appropriate, I may also delay sharing a commission, for example, where a customer advises me that the artwork is intended as a surprise or gift.
Original paintings offered for sale are unique physical artworks.
Each original exists as a single artwork unless otherwise clearly stated.
Because artwork may be offered through my website, studio, exhibitions, galleries, markets, or other sales channels, an original may occasionally sell before online availability has been updated. I will indicate if an artwork is consigned to a gallery.
If payment is accepted for an original that is no longer available, I will notify the customer and refund the purchase price paid for that unavailable artwork.
I make reasonable efforts to describe original artwork accurately, including relevant information such as dimensions, medium, surface, and framing status.
Dimensions may be subject to minor reasonable measurement variations.
Photographs are intended to represent artwork as accurately as reasonably possible.
However, colours and details may appear differently depending on photography, lighting, screen calibration, device settings, and viewing conditions.
These normal variations do not mean that the artwork is defective or materially different from its description.
Original artwork may contain natural variations in surface, texture, brushwork, edges, paper, canvas, paint, and other materials.
These characteristics are inherent to handmade artwork and form part of the individual piece.
Artwork is sold unframed unless the listing or written agreement specifically states that a frame is included.
Images showing an artwork displayed in a frame, interior, mock-up, or styled setting may be illustrative.
The written product description determines what is included in the purchase.
These provisions apply to digital stationery, downloadable artwork, printable products, templates, cards, and other electronically supplied products sold by FMurphy Art Studio.
Digital products are supplied electronically.
No physical product will be shipped unless the product description expressly states otherwise.
Customers are responsible for reviewing the listing before purchase, including available information about:
- File type;
- Dimensions;
- Resolution;
- Intended use;
- Printing requirements; and
- Software or device compatibility.
Colours may vary between the digital display and printed output.
Results depend on factors outside my control, including the customer’s monitor, printer, ink, paper, printer settings, and third-party printing service.
Exact colour matching between the digital file and printed result is therefore not guaranteed.
Unless a product expressly includes a different licence, purchasing digital stationery grants the purchaser a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence for personal use only.
Copyright and ownership of the underlying artwork and design remain with FMurphy Art Studio.
The purchaser may make reasonable printed copies for their own personal use.
Unless I have given prior written permission, digital products may not be:
- Resold;
- Redistributed;
- Shared with others as downloadable files;
- Uploaded to file-sharing platforms;
- Repackaged or incorporated into another digital product;
- Used to create products for commercial resale;
- Used as commercial branding or a logo;
- Licensed or sublicensed to another person;
- Claimed as the purchaser’s own artwork or design; or
- Otherwise commercially exploited.
Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, FMurphy Art Studio retains copyright and applicable intellectual property rights in artwork and designs I create.
Purchasing an original painting or commissioned artwork transfers ownership of the physical artwork, once fully paid for, but does not automatically transfer copyright or reproduction rights.
The purchaser may display, enjoy, give, or subsequently transfer ownership of the physical artwork, subject to applicable law.
Without prior written permission, the artwork may not be commercially reproduced, printed on merchandise, licensed, used as branding, converted into products for resale, or otherwise commercially exploited.
If commercial reproduction or licensing rights are required, please contact me to discuss a separate written licence.
Return and refund eligibility depends on the type of product purchased.
Because commissioned and personalized artwork is created specifically for an individual customer, returns, refunds, and cancellations may be restricted once work has begun or a custom commission has been scheduled.
The specific deposit and cancellation provisions for custom-size commissions are set out in Section 5, Custom-Size Art Commissions.
Any return rights or conditions applicable to an original artwork will be stated through the applicable sales channel or communicated at the time of purchase.
Because digital products cannot ordinarily be physically returned once supplied or accessed, digital purchases may be non-refundable after delivery or access, except where required by applicable law or where the supplied product is defective or materially different from its description.
If a digital file has a technical problem, please contact me so I can reasonably attempt to resolve the issue.
Mandatory Rights
Nothing in this section limits any refund, cancellation, replacement, repair, or other remedy to which a customer is legally entitled.
I take reasonable care when preparing and packaging artwork.
If physical artwork arrives damaged, please contact me as soon as reasonably possible after delivery.
You may be asked to provide:
- Your order information;
- Photographs of the damaged artwork;
- Photographs of the exterior and interior packaging; and
- Other information reasonably required to assess the damage or submit a shipping claim.
Please retain the artwork and packaging while the matter is being reviewed.
Depending on the circumstances and applicable legal rights, an appropriate resolution may include repair, replacement where reasonably possible, or refund.
Because original artwork is unique, an identical replacement may not always be possible.
Available shipping, local delivery, and pickup options depend on the product and destination.
Applicable options and charges will be displayed at checkout or communicated as part of a commission agreement.
Customers are responsible for providing accurate and complete delivery information.
If an order is returned because an incorrect or incomplete address was provided, additional delivery charges may apply before the order is sent again, subject to applicable law.
Delivery estimates provided by postal or courier services are outside my direct control.
Where international shipping or digital sales are offered, customers outside Canada may place orders subject to these Terms and any mandatory laws applicable in their jurisdiction.
International physical orders may be subject to customs duties, import taxes, brokerage charges, VAT, or other destination-country charges.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, such charges are the responsibility of the purchaser.
Customs procedures and international carriers may also cause delivery delays outside my control.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to remove mandatory consumer rights available to an international customer under applicable law.
Personal information is handled in accordance with the FMurphy Art Studio Privacy Policy.
Information supplied in connection with a purchase or commission may be used as reasonably necessary to:
- Process and fulfill the order;
- Communicate with the customer;
- Create commissioned artwork;
- Process payments;
- Arrange shipping, delivery, or pickup;
- Maintain appropriate business and accounting records; and
- Meet legal and regulatory obligations.
Reference photographs supplied for commissions will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy and the public-display provisions in these Terms.
I may reasonably decline or cancel an order or commission where, for example:
- The requested work is outside the services I offer;
- Suitable reference material has not been supplied;
- The requested work or intended use may infringe another person’s rights;
- The requested project changes substantially from the scope originally quoted;
- Required payment has not been received;
- Required customer information or approval has not been provided within a reasonable period; or
- Circumstances arise that prevent me from reasonably completing the work.
If I cancel an order or commission because I am unable to supply the agreed artwork, amounts paid for work that will not be supplied will be refunded as appropriate.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, FMurphy Art Studio is not responsible for indirect, incidental, or consequential losses arising from the purchase, possession, display, printing, or use of artwork or digital products.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where exclusion or limitation would be prohibited by applicable law.
FMurphy Art Studio operates from Nova Scotia, Canada.
These Terms are governed by the laws applicable in the Province of Nova Scotia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without limiting mandatory consumer rights or protections that may apply to a customer under another applicable jurisdiction.
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision will be interpreted or limited to the extent necessary where legally possible.
The remaining provisions will continue to apply.
I may update these Terms periodically to reflect changes to products, services, business practices, or applicable requirements.
The “Last updated” date at the beginning of this document identifies the current version.
For an existing order or commission, the applicable Terms will generally be those in effect when the purchase or commission was confirmed, unless a change is required by law or otherwise agreed with the customer.
Questions about these Terms, an order, or a commission may be directed to:
F.Murphy Art Studio
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: fmurphyartstudio.com
Please use the contact form provided on the website.