Bulldogs have to be my favorite subject to paint. How can anyone resist those wrinkles and dark soulful eyes! My youngest puppy's favorite games were to either pin the other dogs down or sit on their heads! Well she still tries to sit on their heads if they have a toy she wants. But at 60+ pounds she is far from a puppy now!
When I first started painting, the first thing my instructors told me was to paint what you love and know. I have taken that to heart. When I am painting for myself, I always paint things very near and dear to me. When I am painting for others, I try to make a personal connection to either the client or the subject they are requesting me to paint. That way it becomes "personal" for me.
Your personal paintings should always have some meaning for you or a connection otherwise you just won't do your best work.
I was recently in a painting class and we all painted the same subjects. I noticed when I painted subjects I didn't have a connection to, the painting failed miserably, but the things I wanted to paint came out beautifully.
I am very bossy about my personal art and the ability to create because it is the one thing that is completely mine and no one can take from me except God. It belongs to me and I treasure it.
So when you make art, choose subjects you love and what is meaningful to you. Treasure your gift of creation and don't compromise.
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