This painting was a gift from a person’s adult children for her birthday. I sent a snapshot of the finished painting to the daughter that ordered it and she in turn forwarded it to her siblings. I heard back from her a few days later, confirming that they all loved it.

I am careful to double-check with clients before posting their gifted paintings on the blog before they’ve been, well, gifted. In this case, the client said she couldn’t wait for the painting to arrive so she’d already emailed her mom the snapshot.

This happens all the time.

I’ve had people offer to drive here to pick it up (from other states!) and one even said she was going to take time off work to deliver her painting to the gift recipient because she couldn’t wait for their birthday.

Other people have a lot more patience.

Several months ago, I painted a portrait for a man who ordered as a wedding gift for his bride. An August wedding. I received an email from him last week saying that she’d loved it and coincidentally, just as she unwrapped it the mail arrived – and her mini portrait pendant was delivered.

Sometimes my timing is perfect.

Luna

Completed: August 20, 2010

Soundtrack: Amanda Richards, Who Has Your Heart

Beverage: Diet Coke

There is this show coming up at the end of the month that’s calling for art inspired by Dia de los Muertos. I had such luck painting my daughter as a two-headed girl a few weeks ago, that I thought I’d try my hand at painting her as a Catrina figure.

Today we drove to my parents’ house on the coast to pick the kids up and while there, I decided to attempt Phase I of my project – painting my daughter’s face. Phase II will be working from those photos to create a portrait and if I’m lucky, Phase III will be managing to get the whole thing to the post office on time for the show.

And yes, I do sometimes randomly carry my face painting kit around. Doesn’t everyone?

Tools of the trade

Note to self: wear makeup on Saturdays.

She was patient.

And still.

Then she requested a mirror, which seriously impeded our progress.

And she was very involved in the design process.

It turned out just the way we wanted.

I love painting little kids. Their eyes are so big. They’re usually smiling. Or impish. They have tiny little Chiclet teeth.

I remember when my kids were toddlers. Damn, they were cute. My son liked to pretend he was a T-Rex or a pterodactyl; very serious face, wings or tiny arms,  and accompanying dinosaur sounds. We called my daughter Danger Girl because she liked to jump off things.

Clare

Completed: August 18 2010

Soundtrack: Amanda Palmer / Who Killed Amanda Palmer

Beverage: Genesis Columbia Valley Merlot

This arrived in my mailbox today.

 Remember the Sears Wishbook that used to come before Christmas? Well, this is my grown-up version of that. I love it. I pour over it. I mark things and dog-ear pages and make plans for imaginary remodels of my studio. I make lists.

And then I turned to page 290 to check out the Yupo.

Look very closely.

It’s my Charlie!

Thirteen years ago today, I got married. I was 24.

We looked like babies.

It was also the very day his hair started turning gray.

We may not be exactly where we thought we’d be by now, but in most regards, it’s still a pretty good place.