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In the midst of anticipating holiday stress, out of nowhere a Facebook message appeared, a commission request! Their kind request, apologizing the whole time for the lateness and so close to the holidays, was just what I needed to boost the spirit of the season. 

An additional note: This client is a dear family friend who I've known since she was a baby, and now a lawyer who can also drive a tractor as tall as a house. She and her husband, the farmer and whose parents the painting is for, reached out to me for this heartfelt project. In the midst of the holiday season it was a reminder of how fortunate I am to have such wonderful friends, and how special commission requests are.

I learned of the family windmill, of how generations ago it pumped water for their cattle ranch, also goats. They sent pictures of the windmill back then and now. The thought was “. . . to use the first photo as the main footprint . . . Unfortunately this last year, someone stole the blades.” They now grow almonds and cotton on this central California farm. As a gift for his parents, they wanted to know if I could paint the original windmill surrounded by cotton fields. I had thoughts of cotton fields but asked for their ideas. It made me smile when the request came back ". . . fields that haven’t been picked yet . . . The white is much prettier.”

Commission requests are such an honor. That a client trusts an artist to capture their ideas is in my opinion a great responsibility; one that includes questions of vision and design, updates and deadlines, size and cost; all of which are crucial to fulfilling their wishes. Also on the technical side I knew the only way to meet the deadline was to start with a fast drying medium with my oil paints.

My final painting for the year.

“Tales From A Windmill”

They sent this picture after framing their artwork, and I received feedback that his parents loved it. 

Thank you Elizabeth and Daniel.

Thank you for your kindness this year, for sharing your stories with me, and for reminding me why I paint. My easel is propped up with canvases, and brushes and paints are ready to go. I am so excited to bring to my canvases fresh, new ideas.

May you find a piece of fine art to brighten your day. 

Happy New Year!

Rachelle Lima