A Day in the Life, Paint What You Love

I learned a long time ago that a painting is the most successful when you paint what you love. It can be a grouping of lilacs that you have admired, or a view of some beautiful pasture that really captures your attention, or a still life with precious objects that you have thoughtfully arranged. But this notion is most poignant when I am painting people. Not that I have to fall in love with everyone I paint. I need to interview the person, get a personal sense of who they are, and really get to know their being so I can paint who they are from the inside out.
If you really respect a person it will be reflected in the image you portray of them.

Of course, I will admit, if it is a painting of someone I do love, that painting will be truly special.

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