Me: found something near to finish for the first time with this acrylic painting- in the daisies. You?

So I have a “challenging” relationship with my mother. Two years ago for her birthday, knowing she is a tad vain, I thought the best gift would be a portrait of her. Truly a tricky thing for me, as I have (and had even less then) little experience of painting people. I left her face til last, as I knew it was going to be the hardest bit, and it was only about the size of a penny (a quarter?!). I laboured over it, looking and looking and took a bathroom break about 3hrs in. When I came back I was shook; it was like *she* was really there, staring at me. Not like a photograph, like a haunting. And I broke down. She has never been a safe place for me. At least not that I could trust. She is old now, and very sick with Parkinson‘s. I lost my father in 2019 and know she won’t have long. And I knew when I looked at the picture that she was living in it, that in effect she would always be there, I caught her, in a form I could trust. She has the painting now, and loves it - but one day it will find its way back to me.

Thanks to those of you who hung with me today, you gave me great things to ponder, and a beauituful opportunity to fine tune my understanding. Priceless. Reminders: 1) Community Painting Trade Start is happening in 7 days, see pinned post at the top of our feed. 2) Let's Talk Commissions Sunday, November 15th @ 9am - 10am Are they a good fit for you? How to manage your them well. Let's talk about it. Share your experience, get some help strategizing.

Beautiful Painting of a Beautiful Subject Beautiful Painting of a Subject Painting of a Beautiful Subject Painting of a Subject adding some thoughts: I think this thought came to me answering the post I made about a follower comment a while back. I think folks can get curious about the elevating of what they perceive as unremarkable through the love and care of an artist. It might be interesting to attempt to make a series describing this concept.

A new project for us! Brainstormed by the community. Do you have a half done painting you've lost steam on, or are stuck with in some way? Wonderful!! We will trade paintings and complete each other's work. Providing challenges, new perspectives and solutions... and who knows what else we will learn!? I have marked the calendar to have this project commence Nov. 13th (You will provide your photo and reference if applicable by this date). We will each print up another painter's work and complete it on top of the printout. I'm thinking we could seal the paper with clear gesso, or put it in a plastic sheet protector, or affix it to a panel and seal it... I'm sure you have ideas too. The project will culminate Dec.13th in a live zoom where we examine all of our efforts in completing our peers' works. Does this timeframe sound good to you all? How to participate: 1. Find a half finished painting you are stuck on or which you've lost steam on. 2. Take a good quality photo of this painting and crop it so we only see the painting. 3. Add that photo (and reference material if applicable) in the comments here. 4. I will assign paintings to you on Nov. 13th. (I'm thinking Secret Santa style) 5. Attend the live zoom Dec. 13th with your completed trade. 6. Thanks Robyn for sparking this fun idea! This is one of many paintings I lost steam on.