I have heard this term so many times and I just thought, paint what you want and it will be fine. However, I notice a distinct difference when I am painting something that I absolutely LOVE as opposed to something I am painting just because. You can't guess what the market will buy and I don't believe in catering to that - in fact, doing commissions can be difficult if it isn't something you love. I guess the more experienced painter can paint anything but I think even the professionals will tell you when they paint something they are passionate about it shows in their art work.

Take a look at the painting titled "Peace". I started this painting one summer and couldn't quite get it to do what I wanted, but it was from a photo I had taken a couple of years ago that had haunted me as I knew it would make a lovely painting. After my brothers sudden death that fall, I was in my studio a few days after the funeral and the painting just came together for me. This painting won an award at a national show and was sold on Facebook before the show opened. I think it would always have been a good painting but the passion I felt as I completed it I believe shows in the finished product.

I find that when approached to do a portrait or any commission, if it isn't something that speaks to me, I really struggle with it. Lesson learned - only paint things that really appeals to my heart!