Painting for Others

It’s a challenge to be hired to paint a painting for another. Sometimes its down right scary. Am I meeting their expectations? Is this the right color green? Often times I’m given an old photo that’s not clear or a series of photos to turn into one painting. I love a challenge but sometimes I scare myself. I ask myself why did I say yes or why didn’t I ask more questions about what they wanted. It’s hard but I hate to say no.

When I was asked to paint a flower, a very big arrangement of flowers on a very big 48”x48” canvas, you know I had to say yes. This is the third time I’ve ever painted something so large. The canvas always looks bigger once it’s on my easel.

This one turned out to be a lot of fun. Took about five weeks. I start painting, let paint dry, more painting, and repeat. Everything I’ve ever painted always teaches me something new. One coat on a canvas is never enough- ever! So don’t be tempted to put the paint on thick. You will regret it, trust me.

So today my large painting went home. I asked to see how it looked in the room once she took it home. I got to say I love it. I hope you do too.