Terms + Conditions
Last updated: 29 September 2026
These Terms & Conditions apply to the use of this website and to purchases made from Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art, including purchases of available original artworks and commissioned artworks.
By using this website, placing an order or agreeing to proceed with a commission, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
About the Artwork
Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art creates original contemporary artworks using natural coastal materials, including native Australian mollusc and bivalve shells.
Each artwork is individually created by hand and is unique.
Natural variations in colour, shape, texture, markings, surface condition and weathering are inherent characteristics of shells and other natural materials. These natural variations form part of the character of each artwork and are not, by themselves, considered defects.
Artwork Images and Colour
Every reasonable effort is made to photograph and represent artworks accurately.
Photographs displayed on this website may be digitally edited, including with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), to improve overall image quality and presentation. Editing may include adjustments such as correcting perspective, cropping, balancing lighting and colour, improving clarity, removing reflections from protective glass, and cleaning up the surrounding background.
Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that this editing does not alter, add to, remove from or materially change the appearance, composition, colour, texture, scale or individual elements of the artwork itself. The intention of any image editing is to provide a clearer and more accurate representation of the physical artwork.
However, photographs and digital images cannot perfectly reproduce an original artwork. Colour, texture, depth, detail and natural shell characteristics may appear slightly different depending on lighting, photography, image processing, screen settings and individual devices.
Where an artwork is shown in a digitally created or AI-assisted interior setting or room mock-up, the setting is for illustrative purposes only. Every effort is made to represent the artwork accurately and at an appropriate scale; however, customers should refer to the dimensions stated in the individual artwork listing when assessing the actual size of the work.
Minor differences between the physical artwork and its online representation do not necessarily indicate that the artwork is faulty or incorrectly described. Nothing in this section limits any rights available to customers under the Australian Consumer Law.
Availability of Original Artworks
Original artworks are one-of-a-kind unless otherwise stated.
Kate may revisit or repeat a particular design, composition or arrangement using the same shell species, similar shell components or the same general artistic concept.
For example, a spiral composition, circular arrangement or other established design may be created more than once. However, because each artwork is made by hand from natural materials, no two pieces will be identical.
Individual shells naturally vary in colour, tone, pattern, shape, size, texture, weathering and surface detail. These variations, together with differences in placement and composition during the making process, mean that artworks based on the same design can have a noticeably different appearance and character.
Accordingly, a repeated design should not be understood as a reproduction or exact copy of an earlier artwork. Each finished piece remains an individually made original artwork with its own unique combination of natural materials.
An artwork is not considered sold or reserved until payment has been successfully completed or another written arrangement has been agreed.
While every reasonable effort is made to keep website availability current, an artwork may occasionally become unavailable before the website has been updated.
If payment is accepted for an artwork that is no longer available, the customer will be contacted and any amount paid will be refunded.
Prices and Payment
All prices are displayed in Australian dollars unless otherwise stated.
Any applicable taxes, charges or fees will be displayed where required.
Payment must be made using the payment methods made available at checkout or another method agreed to in writing.
Orders may not be dispatched until payment has been received in full.
Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art reserves the right to correct genuine pricing or listing errors. If an error affects an order that has already been placed, the customer will be contacted before the order proceeds.
Order Acceptance
Submitting an order does not necessarily mean the order has been accepted.
We may decline or cancel an order where, for example:
an artwork is no longer available;
there has been a genuine pricing or listing error;
payment cannot be successfully processed;
fraudulent or suspicious activity is reasonably suspected; or
the order cannot reasonably be fulfilled.
If an order is cancelled after payment has been received, the amount paid will be refunded unless otherwise permitted by law.
Shipping, Returns and Refunds
Shipping, delivery, change-of-mind returns and refunds are governed by our separate Shipping & Returns Policy, which forms part of these Terms & Conditions.
Our voluntary returns policy operates in addition to, and does not replace, rights available under the Australian Consumer Law.
Commissioned Artworks
Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art welcomes enquiries for individually commissioned artworks.
A commissioned artwork is created specifically for an individual client following consultation regarding matters such as size, materials, composition, colour, style and intended display space.
Because each commission is an original artwork created by hand using natural materials, exact duplication of an existing artwork, photograph, concept drawing or previous commission cannot be guaranteed.
Commission Enquiries
Commission enquiries can be made by emailing:
Clients may also request a telephone consultation by email.
Before accepting a commission, we may discuss:
approximate dimensions;
preferred shell species or natural materials;
colour and composition;
framing requirements;
intended location or display space;
budget;
approximate completion timeframe; and
any other relevant design considerations.
Acceptance of a commission remains at the artist's discretion.
Commission Quote
Following consultation, the client may be provided with a written quote or proposal setting out the expected scope and price of the commission.
A quote may include:
artwork dimensions;
framing where applicable;
agreed materials or general design direction;
total price;
deposit or initial payment;
remaining payment requirements; and
estimated completion timeframe.
Unless otherwise stated, a quote does not reserve studio time or constitute acceptance of the commission until any required deposit has been received.
Commission Deposits
A deposit may be required before work begins on a commissioned artwork.
The amount of the deposit will be communicated to the client before the commission is confirmed.
Once work has begun or materials have been purchased specifically for the commission, some or all of the deposit may be retained to cover reasonable costs already incurred if the client subsequently cancels.
Any amount retained following cancellation will be reasonable and proportionate to the work performed, materials purchased and other costs actually incurred.
Nothing in this section limits any cancellation or refund rights available under the Australian Consumer Law.
Artistic Discretion
Commissioning an original artwork requires a degree of artistic discretion.
Consultation is intended to establish the general direction, dimensions, materials, palette and character of the artwork rather than prescribe the placement of every individual shell or element.
The client acknowledges that the final work will reflect the artist's interpretation, judgement and creative process.
Natural shell materials vary considerably in colour, pattern, shape, texture and availability. Where a particular shell or material is unavailable or unsuitable, a reasonably comparable material may be proposed or used following discussion where the change is significant.
Changes to a Commission
Reasonable changes may be discussed before work is substantially underway.
Requests for significant changes after work has commenced may:
require additional materials;
increase the price;
extend the completion timeframe; or
not be possible without substantially restarting the artwork.
Any significant additional work or cost will be discussed with the client before proceeding.
Progress Images and Approval
Progress photographs may be provided at the artist's discretion or where agreed as part of the commission process.
Progress photographs are intended to provide a general indication of the work and may not accurately reproduce colour, texture or detail.
Unless specifically agreed otherwise, progress photographs do not create an unlimited right to redesign or repeatedly revise the artwork.
Where final approval is requested before framing, completion or dispatch, the client should raise any agreed design concerns at that stage.
Completion Timeframes
Any completion date provided for a commissioned artwork is an estimate unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
Completion times can be affected by matters including:
availability of natural materials;
drying, curing or preparation requirements;
framing;
changes requested by the client;
illness or unexpected studio circumstances; and
circumstances outside the artist's reasonable control.
If a significant delay occurs, the client will be informed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Nothing in this section limits consumer rights relating to services being supplied within a reasonable time where applicable.
Final Payment for Commissions
Unless otherwise agreed, the outstanding balance for a commissioned artwork must be paid before the completed artwork is dispatched or collected.
Ownership of the physical artwork transfers to the purchaser once the agreed purchase price has been paid in full.
Copyright and reproduction rights do not transfer with ownership of the physical artwork unless expressly agreed in writing.
Cancellation of a Commission by the Client
If a client wishes to cancel a commission, they should contact info@katenorma.com as soon as possible.
Where cancellation occurs before work has begun and before significant commission-specific costs have been incurred, any refund will be considered having regard to the circumstances.
Where work has already commenced, or materials have been purchased specifically for the commission, reasonable amounts may be retained to cover work performed and costs incurred.
Any cancellation charge will be proportionate to the actual or reasonably incurred costs associated with the commission and will not operate as a penalty.
Cancellation by the Artist
In rare circumstances, Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art may need to cancel a commission.
If a commission cannot reasonably be completed, the client will be notified and any amount paid for work not supplied will be refunded, subject to applicable law.
Returns of Commissioned Artworks
Because commissioned artworks are created specifically for an individual client, they are generally not eligible for the voluntary 21-day change-of-mind return policy unless otherwise agreed in writing.
This does not affect any rights the customer may have under the Australian Consumer Law if the commissioned artwork is faulty, materially different from what was agreed, not of acceptable quality or otherwise fails to meet an applicable consumer guarantee.
Natural Material Availability
Some commissions may depend on particular shell species, sizes, colour variations or quantities of natural material.
Because natural materials vary and may not always be available in sufficient quantities, exact colour or material matching cannot be guaranteed.
Where availability materially affects the agreed commission, the client will be contacted to discuss reasonable alternatives.
Framing
Where framing is included, the frame type, colour and dimensions will be described or agreed before completion where practicable.
Minor variations associated with manufactured framing materials may occur.
If a client elects to arrange their own framing, responsibility for the artwork after delivery and during subsequent framing rests with the client or their chosen framer, subject to rights that cannot be excluded under law.
Intellectual Property
Purchasing an artwork, including a commissioned artwork, transfers ownership of the physical artwork only.
Copyright and reproduction rights remain with the artist unless those rights are expressly transferred or licensed in writing.
Further information is contained in our separate Copyright & Intellectual Property notice.
Photography of Completed Works
Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art may photograph completed artworks, including commissioned artworks, for purposes such as:
portfolio records;
website display;
social media;
exhibition applications;
editorial or promotional material; and
documentation of the artist's practice.
Personal information identifying the client will not ordinarily be published without permission.
If a commission is intended to remain private or confidential, this should be discussed and agreed before the commission begins.
Customer-Supplied Reference Material
Where a client provides photographs, designs or other reference material for a commission, the client confirms that they have the right to provide that material for the agreed purpose.
Reference material may be used as inspiration or guidance, but Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art will not knowingly reproduce another artist's protected work without appropriate permission.
Website Content
All reasonable care is taken to keep information on this website accurate and current.
However, content may occasionally contain typographical, technical or pricing errors.
Website content may be updated, corrected or removed where reasonably necessary.
Links to Third-Party Websites
This website may contain links to third-party websites or services.
Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art is not responsible for the content, privacy practices or operation of third-party websites.
Australian Consumer Law
Products and services supplied by Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law where those guarantees apply.
Depending on the circumstances, customers may be entitled to remedies including repair, replacement, refund, cancellation or compensation where a product or service fails to meet an applicable consumer guarantee.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any statutory right, guarantee or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by law, Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art will not be responsible for indirect or consequential loss arising from use of this website or an artwork where such liability may lawfully be excluded.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes liability or rights that cannot legally be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable legislation.
Changes to These Terms
These Terms & Conditions may be updated from time to time to reflect changes to the business, website, services or applicable requirements.
The current version will be published on this website together with the date of the most recent update.
Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws applicable in Victoria, Australia.
Nothing in this clause limits any rights a consumer may have under applicable Australian law.
Contact
For questions about an order, commission or these Terms & Conditions, please contact:
Kate Norma Coastal Fine Art
Email: info@katenorma.com
If you would prefer to discuss your enquiry by telephone, you are welcome to request a call by email.