The Art of Choice: How I Found Freedom in Creating Custom Paintings

I’m not gonna lie—when I first started taking commissions, it was rough. I put so much pressure on myself to get everything just right—the exact colors, the perfect composition, capturing exactly what the collector had in mind. But instead of feeling inspired, I felt stuck. My creativity slowed to a crawl, and I was constantly second-guessing myself.

Would they love it? Would they hate it? Would I have to start all over? It was a never-ending cycle of stress and doubt.

Of course, I’d talk with my collectors, learn about their preferences, and make sure they felt excited about the process. I even sent progress photos along the way. But something still wasn’t working.

The Shift

Then, one day, I changed my approach. Instead of trying to match someone’s vision down to the last brushstroke, I leaned into my own style—because let’s be honest, no two people see a painting the same way. What I see and what they see can be completely different, and trying to control that wasn’t doing anyone any favors, especially when my style is abstract. So, freedom is kind of a big deal when it comes to painting.

So, I tested a theory.

A Collector’s Story

At last year’s Agora Art Fair, a dear collector couple stopped by my booth. They had collected from me before—one of my pieces, Wildfire, had moved them so much it had to follow them home. But that morning, they didn’t see anything quite right for their space, and they shared their disappointment with me.

I asked them what they were hoping to find.

"Something with warm oranges, pinks, and deep purples," they said—colors reminiscent of Wildfire. They also wanted a larger piece, about 24x36 inches, but the wife was torn on orientation—vertical or horizontal?

That’s when inspiration struck.

“I have another show in two weeks,” I told them. “How about I paint two pieces—one vertical, one horizontal? You can choose the one that speaks to you, and I’ll sell the second.”

Her eyes widened. "Really? What if the second one doesn’t sell?"

I gestured to my nearly empty tent—just four or five paintings left—and grinned. "Trust me. It’ll sell. Just make sure you’re there early before someone else takes your pick."

The Magic of Choice

Over the next two weeks, I got to work—prepping canvases, layering textures, mixing colors, and bringing two new paintings to life: Unwritten (vertical) and Jupiter (horizontal).

The moment I finished Unwritten, I knew it was the one for them. I couldn’t explain why—I just felt it.

Sure enough, when the couple arrived at the next show (an hour in, and after several near-sales of Unwritten), they instantly knew too. Without hesitation, they chose Unwritten to take home.

And Jupiter? Well, it found its home with another wonderful family who fell in love with it just as much.

A New Process That Works

So, do I paint two paintings every time now?

For now, yes.

Not only does it free up my creativity—no more overthinking, no more stress—but it also gives my collectors something invaluable: a choice… in energy. Feeling. And what truly belongs in their space.

And the second painting? It always sells.

Because when you paint from the heart, there’s always someone out there waiting for it.