This past week I have wrapped up a painting that has proved to be a bit of a challenge for me. I had a client who wanted a painting of peonies that would be a focal point over the fireplace in her living room. Her only requests were that the piece be colorful and exude a positive energy. She also liked a particular swirling style.

As an illustrator, I have been programmed to really "see" the object I am drawing, fully understand it and replicate it on the page. This is much different. I still must "see" and fully understand the object but then move to the next level of translating it in a separate visual language.

I rushed in ..paint flying! However, I felt that the painting was missing something … so I nixed the first, second and third attempts and after just wasting a bunch of paint I went back to the drawing board literally.

Arthur likes this one the best … He wanted to pose with it…:)