Another unique gift that will surely be loved by the recipient is a painting. Think you have no artistic talent? You may surprise yourself! There are a few tips to follow for a great outcome. Painting is therapeutic and a lot of fun.

I wanted to paint my friend, Vanessa’s children. Painting a photograph exactly as it is is easier than piecing them together in a painting, but I took on the challenge. Then I made them pioneer girls, because, why not?

• Tip #1– Paint it as it is, not how you think you see it. Turn the photograph upside down and draw or paint it. When you are looking directly at something, your mind tends to make up how it sees the image. By changing the direction of the subject, your mind is forced to paint it as it actually is.

This beloved woman was my dear friend, Kat, whom I called Mom. She was the loveliest kind of person in every way. Kind and generous and sweet, we all miss her. I wanted to paint this for her husband. I used a black canvas but one could save money by buying a pack of white ones, and painting them black before using them. Start by flipping the photograph upside down and sketching what you see. Start with the skin, then add in details.

• Tip #2– You cannot mess up art. Art has a mind of its own. It will do what it wants! You can come up with all sorts of ideas of how you think it will, or should, look, but you are just the vessel. If it doesn’t come out looking exactly like the subject, does the recipient care? Probably not. Just say it is an abstract art piece!

Perhaps you would like to paint a beloved pet instead for a friend. Use your imagination! Painting is supposed to be fun! The artist puts a part of their spirit into each piece they create; that is the real gift.

• Tip #3– Paint from back to front. To achieve depth and realism, create the background first. The closest thing to the front of the painting is painted last.

Have fun! I used glittery acrylic paints to do the feathers on my turkey. Change details as you see fit. Add love into the painting and it will be felt when received.