custom...

I will be the first to admit that custom work stresses me out to no end.  But I also hate to turn it down... truly one of those rock and hard place issues. 

When someone asks me to create a canvas, that's when I start sweating.  I don't know that this will ever change - I never think I do as well with a custom job.  I think my nerves show through.  I worry to no end that the recipient will be disappointed.  And honestly, would I ever know? What are they going to say? "Wow, Sandi - nice job. Thanks."  In MY mind, they are saying "holy crap - THIS is what I commissioned? I could have handed a three year old a crayon and gotten better work." 

So, while I am SO incredibly honored to be asked to do custom work, just know you are making me twitch.  LOL 

This is an example of one custom job that DIDN'T make me crazy - for some reason it fell together and I like it.  It was commissioned by someone I love very much, for someone SHE loves very much.  The ultimate recipient is a  young person, so it needed to be youthful in design, color and clothing.  I took as much info as I could, and hit the sketchpad... and then the canvas. 

This girl is different than I normally create - I'm much more drawn to darker, more muted colors with a lot of grunge and vintage thrown in.  But I like her.  She makes me smile.  And I hope that the young woman that ends up with this loves it as much as the person giving it to her loves HER.