painting
In the little garden
Branches reaching high
Against a small shed
Bright, alive the kumquat tree grew
Leaves turning and twisting like a dance
Branches veering left and right
Unsure of anything but up
Up and into the light
"Kumquat Tree", Oil Painting on Canvas, 14 x 18 inches
https://www.melissawillett.com/shop/kumquat-tree
Remember, you must die
So do not forget to live
What moments will you need to atone for not savoring?
Will your wrinkles tell the story of a life well-lived?
Lines telling of laughter and bubbly joy
But also of the natural worries that come from a caring life
I hope to see your face complete and worn with a bounty of memories
Inhale and feel the bright air
Exhale a sigh from deep within
Hold your loved ones tight and do not neglect to say I love you
I love you
What a beautiful, terrible, wonderful world
I am thankful to share it with you
I love you
"Bird Skull - Memento Mori", Oil Painting on Canvas, 8 x 10 inches
https://www.melissawillett.com/shop/bird-skull-memento-mori
We wait inside
Isolated
While a few are out caring for the world
We are caring for ourselves
Some a whirlwind of hobbies and work and activities with loved ones
Some slow and steady
Sipping on hot tea, with a book, and homemade bread
And yes, some are giggling at memes
Just our ancestors passed on silly nursery songs about the plague
We all handle this in our own way
But together, we turn towards the sun
Ready, in wait, for brighter days
"Sunflowers", Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 8 x 10 inches (Varnished)
https://www.melissawillett.com/shop/sunflowers
If you turned around
It would all be dark
Deep umber branches
Leaves so dark it is hard to tell that they are even green
But stay this way
See the glow at the edge of the forest
See the colors that the light reveals
Feel the light
It is cool in the forest but warmth and sun are steps away
Let yourself feel that bit of romance that is inside us all if we are only mindful enough to notice
Feel yourself stepping out of the woods
Arrive in the sunlight
Arrive in the glow
Feel the warmth
"Glowing Forest", Oil Painting on Canvas, 4 x 4 inches
https://www.melissawillett.com/shop/glowing-forest
We all go through deserts
Times where the vastness of emptiness in front of us seems insurmountable
Impossible
You will not make it
The wound has spread and it is deep and infected
Just sit with the pain
Do not notice it growing into suffering
You will not make it past this
The voice is sweet and sad
It lies
For a time it felt like the only voice you could hear was that poisonous, wretched voice
Not any more
You will make it through
You can cross the vastness and come out the other side
You will experience joy again
And all the other emotions that you hid inside for fear that it would expose the wound
It will come in like a flood to the desert
You cannot believe it is there
How can a flood and a desert be in the same place?
The floods recede
And just like that the moment is gone and you are left standing there
Alone
But changed
All you have to do is run, run out of the desert because it does have an end
Take your pain and care for it so that the suffering will fade away under your tender care
It will end
You will heal
You can heal
You cannot believe it now, but it is true
I am healing
The desert has an end
Work in Progress, Oil Painting, Negev Desert
When working on a commission, it is all about truly understanding the needs of the client. Be prepared for a lot of questions! Usually, when I am hired for a commission, the reason can be deeply personal. A moment or a memory needs to be preserved in a way that other mediums cannot capture. It is always an honor and a huge responsibility to be chosen for these projects.
They are also much more work than simply painting in my studio that I must be ready to dive into. When I am painting in the studio, inspiration can strike and I can simply make a plan and set to work. With a client, I will be asking questions - colors, seasons, styles, what does the room it will hang in look like - and so much more. I will be taking pictures at every stage so that we can make changes as we go.
It is a process with a balance - where the artist and the client work hand in hand to make the artwork.
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Here are some basic questions to keep in mind when considering hiring an artist for a commission:
What subject matter?
What size artwork?
What materials (acrylic, oil, or watercolor?)
Which of the artist’s works are your favorite?
What style are you envisioning?
Is there any decor in the room that the artist should keep in mind?
What is your budget? (Keep in mind that commissions will cost more money than the artists other work of similar size/material because they take more time and are tailored specifically to you).
Is there any deadline to have this piece finished?