On blessing others through portraits

5x7 Chobie's Attitude

Well... I finally hit the wall today. Thursday was a constant stream of people coming in and buying or ordering. I took the time to think of what my parents would like from us and I settled on a portrait of each of their grandchildren Isaac and David. David is pictured above in his usual defiant pose when he is asked to do something. It's not what a client would ask to be painted , but I feel this kind of pose truly reflects a side that the sitter possesses that people immediately recognize as being a dominant part of their personality. I want to hear... Yeah ... that's David ( Chobie ).

 I have been thoroughly BLESSED this Christmas season with orders of portraits. But it's not the orders that has blessed us but the reaction that I am getting from my clients. I painted a portrait of a client's wife. He gave me a photo taken of her in 1968 where she is sporting a beehive style hairdo. The photo was faded and I had to adjust the colors . I could tell that he trusted me to do a good job but he still demonstrated hesitation. Some clients you just have to hold their hand through the process. You HAVE to make them feel comfortable and that the end result will come out okay. I do this by painting a small preliminary color sketch for them to approve. When it came time for him to pick up the painting, he was besides himself with joy. He was proudly holding the painting and remarking out loud.. Frank, You really captured my wife. My sweetheart. Wow. This went on for some time as he said he could not believe how well I pulled off the assignment. I forgot to photograph the final effort. But watching him walk out of the Gallery overjoyed just made it all worthwhile. That was more reward than the money. You can really touch someone with a painting that can be enjoyed for as long at it adores a wall.

5x7 Mia

 Then there was Jerry's reaction to the 2 grandchildren I painted for him. He just was ecstatic about how I painted his sweet little Mia. He was tearing up. He's going around telling and showing the paintings to friends and clients. Its great word of mouth.

 I could go on how clients have truly blessed me this Christmas Season with how appreciative they are with the work I have done for them. But it would be too self indulgent. It already is ... so pardon me. But there is a reason for this....

 I have learned it so much better to give of yourself and your gifting to others. You honor God by doing what you do best for others is truly a wonderful adventure. You have no idea how one good small act will ripple across the sea of a person's life.



.....