I recently completed a commissioned painting that was a true delight from beginning to end. My client reached out with a collection of photographs from her garden. Together, we discussed the flowers she enjoyed and selected a color palette that felt meaningful to her. I always enjoy collaborating with collectors because each commission becomes a conversation between their vision and my artistic process.
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As the painting developed, I found myself trying two approaches that were new to me. Usually, I create a composition based on a single reference photograph, but for this piece I worked from two different garden images. I selected floral shapes from each photograph and combined them into one harmonious composition. The process allowed me to create relationships between flowers that had not originally grown together, resulting in a design that felt both balanced and dynamic. Another surprise emerged in the background. I often use dots in a single color to add movement and texture, but this time I experimented with three different colors. The result was far more energetic and playful than I anticipated.
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Another lovely aspect of this commission was the experience of creating it. The warm weather drew both me and the canvas outside to a shady corner of my backyard. There, accompanied by fresh air and an audiobook, I spent hours immersed in the painting process. It felt like a small retreat. I am grateful to my client for trusting me with her vision and for inspiring me to explore new possibilities in my work. This commission not only resulted in a finished painting but also opened the door to creative discoveries that I look forward to carrying into future artworks.
Healing Garden #105
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