Okay, so I want to paint 'gifts'. I have some hard and fast rules when it comes to gift giving. I just can't always remember them. So, in no particular order:
1. A gift should never be a burden. Meaning that it should fit smoothly into the recipient's life. A surprise puppy, for example, is not the best idea.
2. A gift should never be more about the giver than the recipient. No, 'Look at me, I am so generous/talented/blah blah blah.'
3. A gift should be specific and personal to the person you are giving it too. No gift cards (well sometimes), no re-gifts, no 'this kind of works'.
4. A gift should be something the giver themselves value. This is just for personal gratification. I hate giving gifts that don't excite me.
There may be more rules. I don't remember them all, all of the time. And I love giving presents. I love giving the perfect gift. This last falls a little close to rule #2, as it involves my pride, but it also spreads over into #3, and the joy of just getting it right. I always want to make the gift-ee happy.
So, by this criteria I am unable to paint generic gifts for an audience that I have never met. Ergo, I shall have to paint specific ones.
Another list:
1. Gifts don't have to be physical things. Gifts can be time, in its many forms.
2. I too receive and value gifts. I could draw on my favorites for inspiration.
3. Gifts have to do with people and hands. They are about a human connection, making things, and reaching out.
Mostly, I just need to stop fussing and start painting. Time to suck it up and make mistakes :)
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