Recently I completed a commissioned oil painting for a client who was gifting it to her daughter-in-law for her birthday. In an effort to please them, I strove for producing perfect likenesses of the three people in the portrait, even though I don't really know them. I had reference photographs from which to work, but it is still not quite the same as seeing them in person. I gave visual progress updates to the client, and she seemed very pleased. However, I continued to have that nagging question in my mind, "Yes, but does it actually look like them?!" It bothers me to think that they might not be recognizable as who they are intended to be. My obsessive perfectionism began to overtake me, and I had to step away from the painting for a while.
It was then I began to realize that heart is more important than perfection. I had been praying through the process of painting, that not only would it be pleasing to God, but also to the family for whom it was intended. This is also where trust comes in: trust that God would answer my prayer and that He would take care of it all as I strive to do my best. There's a point where one has to let go and leave the results to the Almighty.
Some time after completion of the work (and the faithful reassurances of my wife), we got word from the client that the daughter-in-law was quite pleased. In fact, they shed some tears together as they remembered a special time depicted in the painting. For this family, it was not too long before the passing of the son, husband, and father represented in the picture. My prayer had been that God would somehow use it to remind them and cause them to lean on the Good Shepherd for every need. Jesus promised, "But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14: 26-27 Amplified Bible
When you have a special person or persons of whom you would like to have a portrait painted I would be happy to help. There is no cost for a consultation. A consultation is a discussion where your ideas, options such as medium, size, cost can assist you in creating that unique tribute. I strive to give the best quality I can give, but more importantly, I strive to produce a one of a kind work of art that resonates with you. Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.