Welcome home!

Welcome home! I'm happy to have finished this commission. They loved it! But let me tell you the story ...

In May I met with Nikki, the girlfriend, who wanted to surprise her boyfriend with a painting of his house. He's a contractor and oversaw the building of the home, deciding upon every detail with much attention. Ok. So I'm not the most detailed of artists but I thought, I can do it.

Then in late August she calls and says she'd like it, and while not a rush, there were two big dates coming up. A birthday and an anniversary - both in mid September! Erk, I normally take a month to complete a commission but ok, I thought I can do it. I'd just have to fly and I got right to sketching. My first attempt is below.

She hated it. The driveway was wrong, the house was slanting, there were loads of things she didn't like. Um, ok. What now? House commission was looking like a flop. Ok, I can fix it , I thought. Do you sense a trend? Good thing I'm delulu. 😆

Back at the house and this is the funniest part, I decided to go there in the evening to see what the sunset would look like on the house. Nikki had sent me a shot with a glow which I loved

So I pull up, in my car and who is there but the boyfriend washing his car outside! 😆 Yikes! I texted Nikki, she came over and we did a whole little play about me being from a newspaper... Ha ha! Luckily he didn't come over to investigate. Phew! Onward. One last picture before leaving my plein air site - and this one was a lucky shot!!

The door lit up! It looked lovely, warm and welcoming. The colors in the leaves cooperated with the oranges in the lights. Now we were rocking and rolling! I worked two days straight to get it done in time for their anniversary.

🏵️

I also had to buy the paint for the sides of the gallery wrapped canvas - first she sent me to a Benjamin Moore store (which was wrong), the Sherwin Williams and I got Urbane Bronze there. So yes! I could do it! It just took a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of supplies.

I even had to buy new small brushes to accommodate the request for all the details. But you know what? It was worth it to see her face, and to know that they both love the painting! Varnished with matte, and an isolation coat of course too, this one is an heirloom and his mother got to see it before she sadly passed last week...

So from the highs of anniversary to the lowest lows, this painting will be part of their family story. I hope that you've enjoyed mine. 🩷🎨

#tinarawsonart #housecommission #homeswedehome