Hi friends!
I’ve written before about commissioning artwork and even given many of you a chance to commission an abstract with no strings attached because I’m well aware that your first commission might be slightly intimidating. I’m super excited to share a few large commissions that I had this year and give you some behind the scenes with the process! I want to first say a huge thank you to each of these folks for not only trusting me with their art, their ideas, and our collaboration, but also love and passion for original art. It’s been so fun and rewarding and I’m thrilled to share their reviews and what they thought about the whole process with you!

First in the Series: Behind the Scenes with Roxborough State Park an Anniversary Surprise
Second/Current in the Series: Behind the Scenes with Love in Abundance, a calming abstract landscape with scripture underneath the layers.
Coming Soon: Behind the Scenes with an Abstract Landscape for an Anniversary Surprise

Am I the only one who’s starting to recognize a pattern?

Behind the Scenes with Love in Abundance:

Over eight years ago, I had an art opening in a beautiful studio space in High Point, NC. One of the attendees fell in love with a painting that was showing that night, but didn’t purchase it. When she reached out to me about purchasing the piece I had to inform her it had sold. She understood, but couldn’t stop thinking about the piece for eight years. You read that correctly, for 8 YEARS, she thought she should have bought that piece. One day over the winter she contacted me about possibly getting a print made. I called her back to talk about why I have never made prints of my work and how the texture, the individuality, and the painting process is such and important part of my painting style. She completely understood and just before we got off of the phone I mentioned to her how much life has changed in eight years for both of us, how much I’ve grown as and artist, and how I’d love to paint a new version, a commissioned special painting just for her. I could hear the excitement through the phone and we talked about the size, the orientation, the perfect spot in her home, the colors, and that feeling she wanted to have when she looked at the piece. After I heard back that it was a go, the size was determined, the budget approved, I got to work! Knowing this client on a personal and spiritual level allowed me to surprise her and her husband with a piece of scripture written beneath all of the paint layers…. with each stroke, with every detail, through all of the layers this painting was made for them.

The Process:

1. Commissioned art is personal. It’s painted especially for you and can include personal touches that not everyone even knows about… like the foundation for Love in Abundance.

2. As I worked on this painting I took breaks to send images to the client for feedback. At one point it looked a bit too bold and we went softer in the color palette.

3. I kept working. Adding layers, adding in the reds and burgundy flowers last.

4. I sent the final image and both she and her husband loved the painting and were ready for me to send it. We saved the title of the painting as a surprise for when they opened it and I wrote the scripture on the back so they’d never forget the words underneath all of the paint.

5. I shipped this piece off to it’s forever home and will never forget the lovely messages and phone call after they received it. It’s one thing to see a painting over the internet, or photographed in a book, it’s an entirely different experience to collaborate and see it come to life in person.

And they love it!

Immediately after their painting arrived I received a wonderful message from Leslie that made my heart smile, and then just a day or so later I also received one of the most heartfelt messages from her husband, too. He gave me permission to share it with y’all…

Hi Jillian,

I was looking at the painting you did for us this morning. just stood in front of it simply gazing at it admiring how beautiful it is. I can't say thanks enough for this painting and how it's made Leslie (and myself) so happy. You've truly been blessed with a God given talent that inspires others through your skill. Just wanted to say thank you and thanks for how things as such bring so much joy to others. Hope your day is great.

I chose to share this note with you, because I’ve stored this message away in my heart for moments when being an artist is tough. I want you to know we all go through phases of ups and downs in any job and it’s these moments of love and light, these messages of joy and connection that remind me I’m doing just what I was made to do… and even being thanked for doing so! The real thanks is to you and each of you who support us artists. To those of you who value original art in your home and in your life, you keep us dreaming, connecting, and creating…. you make being an artist a reality! I can’t thank you enough for the uplifting notes after you receive your paintings! It is always my pleasure!

Thank you so much for letting me paint for you, for appreciating original art, and the connection we’ll always share through this piece and its creation… but most importantly, for showing love in abundance in your daily lives.

XO
Jillian

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
1 John 4:16