This post is about when a painting doesn’t go as planned.
Some paintings don’t just sit on your easel — they sit on your heart.
That was the case with this one.
After I finished my first commission, I was on a high. I had so much confidence that I could start doing this and then something shifted. I started doubting myself. I had another project started up on the easel, Charlie, and I just… couldn’t. It sat unfinished for months, taunting me every time I walked past it. I convinced myself I wasn’t ready. That maybe my first painting, Rhett, had been a fluke. That I didn’t have what it took.
I’ve learned that fear can get loud in the quiet spaces where we’re supposed to be creating.
But something changed when I completed a few more pieces. With every finished painting, I felt myself coming back to life , remembering why I started this in the first place. And one day, I looked at Charlie’s portrait again. Not with dread, but with confidence. I knew that I could tackle him again.
And would you believe it? I finished it with ease.
What once felt like a wall became a window.
What Made This Piece So Special
Charlie’s reference photo was everything I could hope for as a painter. Clear, expressive, and full of his personality. His sweet face and soulful eyes told me exactly what to capture. But it wasn’t just the photo. It’s the story behind him. The love his owner has for him and the meaning this piece would carry.
And that made all the difference.
Client Tip: Trust the Process
If you’re thinking about commissioning a portrait, here’s my biggest tip: share your heart.
Tell me what makes your project special. Don’t worry about being too sentimental, I want to know. That’s what helps me create a piece that goes beyond just likeness. That’s how we make something that truly connects.
A Test of Faith
Looking back, I think God was testing me a little with this one. Not in a harsh way but in a loving, refining way.
He wanted to see how much I really wanted this dream. Would I keep showing up, even when it felt hard? Even when doubt crept in?
I believe Charlie was the turning point. A reminder that I’m not doing this alone. That each brushstroke is part of something bigger than me.
Final Thought
I’m so glad I didn’t give up.
Charlie’s piece reminded me why I started. Why I keep going. And why every single portrait matters.
Because when you trust me with your story, I don’t take it lightly.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your memories.
Here’s to many more moments like this one.
— Monica
