I get painting inspiration all over the place and at odd times. Some people have asked me to paint a specific scene, but other times (and mostly) I choose scenes myself to paint - these vary considerably from landscapes to seascapes to pets...the list goes on. And sometimes, quite out of the blue, I see an image and think "I've got to paint that", it's like a bolt out of the blue moment and I can't ignore it. The paints are out faster than I can say Paint!
This happened recently when I read a fellow bloggers post. LG had added a memory of a little dog they had owned, now over the rainbow bridge. But seeing the photo of this beloved pet, I knew I had to do a painting. I got my watercolours out this time, and simply sketched the photo image and then added watercolour. A quick impression of this adorable little dog, and the outcome was as I hoped.
Let me jump back slightly here - some time ago I did a painting of a friends horse, didn't tell her but put the image online where I knew she would see it. Sort of expected a reaction, but No Nothing. She had seen it too, because there had been a 'Like' to the image, but she didn't comment about it being like her horse....So that told me, I hadn't hit the mark with that one, and goes to show that sometimes you just don't quite get the pet right.
Hence, I hadn't said anything to LG about doing a painting of her little dog - after all, when someone does a painting of a loved pet no longer with us, the outcome could be very disappointing. I thought it best to simply add the drawing online, and see if there was a comment. And there was. LG commented that it was just like her little dog! There you go, her reaction was heartfelt and for me it confirmed that I had got it right.
I messaged back to LG, saying Yes, it was from an image of her little dog and offered her the painting. After all, I hadn't arranged to paint it for her, so it wasn't a Commission piece.
It is now with her in the USA and I'm delighted that she loves it. Even more delighted that she added this on her facebook page:
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~ For me, this makes painting such a joy ~
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