Thoughts

Someone had asked me to paint a dark scene from "Pan's Labyrinth" for them a while ago.  As I thought about his request, I realized that although I really like that movie, painting something dark just isn't what I am doing these days.  I had to turn him down, and as we spoke more I realized he was perhaps not too stable, so I did end up blocking him from my site. :(

So what I am pondering is the whole idea of commissions, and painting things that you know will sell but aren't really you.  I have done a couple commissions.... just small pieces, other times I've talked to people interested in commissions but I must admit I get a bit stressed when they are wanting me to match a certain colour.... or subject matter.  I don't have any horses in my paintings... so when someone asks me to do a painting of a horse... I do get an image in my head but it would most likely not be what they are thinking of.  My horse, would most likely have a daisy hanging out of his mouth, be wearing a hat, and dancing a jig.  :)

I do recognize that it is not easy to make a living as an artist, and that sometimes artists paint what they know will sell.   I am happy painting larger paintings, but I do know that the smaller ones sell more often, and so I will paint to suit at times.  My hope is that no matter what I paint, I will stay true to myself and that my heart and soul, and joy will come through in the painting.  

When I express myself freely on canvas, and someone gets it.. the feeling is indescribable... it is like you have made this special connection.  I like it when that happens.