FAQ: shipping, returns, prints & commissions

My studios are located in Santa Barbara, California and Washington, DC. Please call 805.452.2211 or email michele.zuzalek@gmail.com with any questions.

Yes, I am happy to do custom orders; please contact me with any special request. A custom, commissioned painting is not a reproduction of any original: it is an original, one-of-a-kind new painting, so it will always be slightly different in shapes and hues, never identical. Processing time for custom orders is normally 4–8 weeks.

Some of my work is unframed. If you are interested in framing, I will provide options and pricing. Frames shown with prints are for presentation purposes only and are not included.

Fine art prints are museum quality, original and signed by Michele Zuzalek. Each original piece of art is reproduced with professional giclée equipment, using only the finest archival materials and inks. Giclée prints are preferred by galleries and museums for their exceptional longevity and richness of color. The paper is acid-free and extremely age resistant. Please contact me regarding availability of prints.

Wrapped canvas paintings are carefully packed in sturdy double-layered cardboard boxes. Large unmatted prints are packed, rolled and shipped in sturdy cardboard tubes. Small prints up to 12x12" are packed in sturdy, protective thick cardboard mailers. Your order is processed and shipped within 1–3 business days, and you will receive an email with tracking details and the expected delivery date.

Please make sure the shipping address you give is correct, and give a street address rather than a PO Box: we ship with USPS and FedEx, which do not deliver to PO Box addresses. Please also include a local phone number for a better shipping experience.

Yes. International buyers, please email me at michele.zuzalek@gmail.com before purchasing so that I can calculate your shipping cost.

If your piece gets lost or damaged, we offer a replacement or full refund, pending an insurance claim. Damage must be reported on the same day of arrival: take photos of the package and the damaged painting that day, and notify us and the shipping company (USPS or FedEx) by email so the case can be filed properly. Damage not reported this way cannot be considered.

If you are unhappy with your piece, we offer a refund up to 7 days after receipt (including the day of arrival), provided the piece is returned undamaged with a registered tracking code. The buyer is responsible for all return shipping and insurance, and a 30% restocking fee applies; if you choose a house credit toward an equal or greater purchase, the restocking fee does not apply. Return customs, duty, VAT and other fees are paid by the buyer, signature is required for returns, and custom orders and made-to-order works are not refundable.

All paintings and prints are original and hand signed on the back by the artist, Michele Zuzalek. All work is protected under copyright, including reproduction rights. The sale of artwork does not transfer copyright: you own the actual artwork but not the copyrighted image. Artwork may not be copied, published or reproduced in any way without written permission of the artist.

As not all computer monitors are the same, colors may vary slightly from the actual work. If you would like extra photos or a closer look at a piece, just ask.