Designing with Patrick

Many people wonder what it's like to order a commissioned painting, so I am sharing some of the conversations I had with Amanda, who ordered two paintings as Christmas gifts and who I grew to love! She is such a sweetheart! ❤️

So, it usually starts out with a very complimentary message from a client, which really brightens my day and sets the tone for creating some beautiful art! 😉

This was Amanda's message:

"Hello there! My aunt has a painting from you and it was absolutely breathtaking!! I would love to surprise my mom this Christmas with a painting of her dog who passed away recently (and) her current cat who is her world! I have attached photos of both Patrick (Dog) and Whiskers (Cat). I know she loves these photos of them, and the quality is pretty good. Please let me know what you think. Could you give me your opinion? Are you also able to give me something to review before I order? I have never done something like this before. I appreciate you very much! Thank you."

My response:

Hi Amanda! Those pictures are so cute! I'm so sorry to hear about Patrick. I would love to do a portrait for your mom. Let me work with this and I'll give you something to review. I don't charge until you approve and I'm ready to place the order for printing. A 16x20 is my most popular size. Let me know if you'd like me to proceed. Any particular thought for a background? Color, etc? That would be helpful. Maybe the color of the room your mom will put the picture in?

Also, can you tell me anything about Patrick, like what he loved to do or maybe what some of his favorite toys were? Was he an indoor dog? Outdoor dog? Do you have any other pictures of him that I can reference? I especially need to see the size difference between Patrick and Whiskers.

Amanda booked her commission!

Thank you SO much for a fast response! I wasn’t expecting that!! I can already tell it’s going to be awesome working with you!! Thank you for the condolences…he was my first pet ever! I was four when we got him (he was already 2) and he passed away last year when I was 23! It was hard on both of us for sure. 16x20 is perfect and the price is perfect as well. I can’t wait to see the proofs!!

I asked Amanda to send more pictures. Sometimes an owner's favorite picture isn't always the best for the painting, especially if it's a composite. Lighting, positions, camera angles, etc., might not work together. And when looking at pictures, I really feel a connection with the spirit of pets (and even people) who have passed. They often help me select the right picture and help me through the whole design process. There are no words spoken or heard; just a feeling of love and intuition that guides me. I've been working at my computer with tears in my eyes; it's such a moving experience for me.

Patrick was a rescue and he loved being in the car and playing with his squeaky toys. Whiskers, the cat, was Amanda's first pet that she also got when she was 4.

When it was time to start painting, I had a huge creative block, which isn't unusual for artists. I wasn't sure how to place Patrick and Whiskers together since the camera angle was different in the two pictures. I couldn't envision a background, either, so I quietly reached out to Patrick and asked him to PLEASE help me with the design. Out of nowhere, I noticed the Snoopy blanket under Whiskers and my intuitive sense said, "Yes!"

I felt Patrick right by my side, after that, keeping me company, and giving peaceful guidance as I continued to paint. Through his eyes, I saw the soft touch of his right paw on Whisker's leg and the gentle touch of their front paws. I was prompted to add a Snoopy toy. Thank you, Patrick!

I found a picture of a lovely Snoopy comforter made in England and used that as the backdrop for Patrick and Whiskers, and continued working on the painting. A few days later, I was able to send this proof to Amanda.

Patrick and Whiskers Proof

Amanda asked for a few minor changes (with digital painting, requested changes are almost always possible).

Amanda added:

This is so beautiful I almost have no words. When I saw the snoopy I about lost it at work. My mom LOVES snoopy that’s what made me cry even more! You did such an AMAZING job on this. I am beside myself. I do LOVE the fact that the front paws are touching. It’s just a beautiful little touch. Thank you so much, I am looking forward to seeing the changes! Thank you so much. I can’t say thank you enough!!

After moving my signature to the other side of the painting and using a different Snoopy toy, this was the final painting ordered for Amanda's mom, and this was her mom's reaction after receiving the gift:

Michele Camacho Garofano

Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you so very much for capturing my two boys, my two beautiful sons. 💚 I love them so much and I will treasure this Portrait forever ❤️❤️❤️ He loved his snoopy.

Designing in Spirit,

Virginia