First child

This is my first painting of a child. Painting someone's pride and joy is a little intimidating. I had many reservations. I met Kaylee before beginning the painting. She had viewed my paintings online and knew exactly what she wanted. She said she wanted it to look like the one I painted of Lesley. No problem. I worked up a few samples, sent them to them to view and get feedback. As I worked, I found the next step in my style. They liked it, but preferred the pink and black for Kaylee's room. As I painted it, I kind of felt like I took a step backwards. I had already done this painting several times with other subjects. With this painting, I discovered what I want to get from my work. I can do what someone else wants me to do, but if I want to grow as an artist, I have to make my own decisions. I have to stop asking everyone what they like at some point because nobody know what I'm capable of except me. Which is the gist of what my Aunt Anita told me when I called her for advice last week. And I have heard it time and again from Lee and Robin. Also, I have been signing my paintings in various ways. Most of the time I feel like my name takes up too much space on the canvas and I just initial it, so this is my first painting as gigi. It's an easy signature and sentimental, as it is a nickname my sister, Robin, gave me as a child. Kaylee. Acrylic on canvas.