This commission had the longest list of things to be included, I was pretty daunted before I started. It was commissioned as a present for both parents, who's 70th birthdays were close together. It had lots of things from their life together to go in. Here is the list I had to work from:

Harlech Castle
Tanforhesgan Campsite
Croyde Bay
Wem
A tent
A blue mini
Salvation Army insignia, bonnet and trombone player
The Salvation Army Citadel in Ashton-under-Lyme
​Gold Label beer cans
Express Dairies and Wigget Construction logos
A school badge
The family home
Speedway
A bowl of mussels
A hammer
A record
A bottle of Faustino wine
Children, grandchildren and cats

It took me a few days to work out how to fit it all together (designing the painting is the hardest bit, once I've cracked the design, it's just colouring in)

Despite the random objects to be incorporated, it all gelled together and made a coherent picture which I'm pleased to report was recieved with pleasure!


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A lovely lady called Lindsey contacted me from America, via my Etsy shop. She wanted a painting for her Dad and Step-Mum, to celebrate their imminent retirement to the beautiful house shown in the painting above. Lovers of ballroom dancing, we decided to put them waltzing on the lawn in their best outfits. Their two dogs and grand daughter also needed to go in, as well as a few personal details relating to their hobbies. (Spot the sewing machine, easel, fly fishing rods, bicycles, canoe and golf equipment)

The gift was delivered with much excitement, and the couple absolutely loved it. As a great touch, they got changed into the same outfits they are wearing in the painting, and posed for a photograph for me, with them holding the picture while wearing their finery. What a lovely response to send back to me!