Nov 8

Legwarmer’d Octopi

Category: art promo

octopi

Recently, this really great girl named Barbie contacted me through Etsy and inquired about some custom portraits.  She ended up being one of the friendliest people I’ve interacted with through there and she even said that I’m too cool for Pittsburgh so of course that made her sparkle in my book. Because I am, you know. Too cool for Pittsburgh. Although living in Pittsburgh, that doesn’t take much. But still!

Anyhow, she wanted a 20″ x 20″ portrait of her daughters as octopi. This was daunting for two reasons: I’d never painted anything that large before  (my default is small, smaller, smallest), and her daughters are adorable and doing justice to them was intimidating.

It took a few weeks, but I finished it and she ended up, thankfully, loving it. Customs scare the SHIT out of me. The end result is so rewarding, but I’m so tightly wound that I panic the whole time that it won’t be good enough.

I’ve also been working on three separate ones for my LiveJournal friend Dorothy and she’s been sending me really encouraging emails, so even though I put stress on myself, in the end, it’s worth it to know I’m making people happy.  Deep down that’s a pretty cool thing for me, even though everyone is convinced I’m heartless.

Plus, I get to meet awesome people.

13 comments

13 Comments so far

  1. blue shirt November 8th, 2009 11:23 am

    Oh wow!!!! I love this painting, it’s so bright and charming. I know you really want your customers to be happy, and she has to be with this.

    Anyone who thinks you are heartless… doesn’t know you very well.

  2. Tuna Tar-Tart November 9th, 2009 9:54 pm

    Aw, hey thanks.

  3. Andrea November 8th, 2009 1:32 pm

    If by heartless you really mean badass…then I would have to agree. This paintinig rules! I would totally love to have some of this custom delightfulness someday. I think I would feel guilty about putting you through all the drama of painting dog eyebrows.

  4. Tuna Tar-Tart November 9th, 2009 9:54 pm

    Lol, I’ve only painted two dogs, and they were both cupcakes. It was interesting at best!

  5. Rachy November 8th, 2009 6:00 pm

    OH WOWZAH! Of all the things I have ever seen in my life, THAT is the most delightful. It makes me smile and wish I were in it!

    I have never once thought you were anything close to being heartless. I really doubt anyone could think that of you.

    xox

  6. Tuna Tar-Tart November 9th, 2009 9:53 pm

    Thanks, Rachy! I don’t really think I’m all that heartless either, but some people (HENRY) do. :/

  7. телефоны аксессуары November 8th, 2009 7:14 pm

    That’s So COOL…who knew ?

  8. Dorothy November 8th, 2009 7:41 pm

    Stop stressing! I love your paintings almost more than the subjects. Ha. Totally true story!

  9. Tuna Tar-Tart November 9th, 2009 9:53 pm

    You are way too sweet!

    I’ll be starting your third one this week and I’m excited!

  10. Pauline November 8th, 2009 8:20 pm

    The painting is adorable! Feel confident about your paintings, woman!

  11. Tuna Tar-Tart November 9th, 2009 9:52 pm

    Thanks, Pauline! I’m trying!

  12. Barbie November 9th, 2009 1:53 pm

    Niiiiice (in borat’s voice)

    The recipient of this painting is thrilled and luhhhhhves it and cannot wait to get more of the custom stuff that scares the shit out of you.

    so great meeting you too erin…srsly.

  13. Tuna Tar-Tart November 9th, 2009 9:49 pm

    Lol, I’m glad! I get stressed out no matter what, because that’s just how I’m wired, but it doesn’t mean I still don’t have fun doing it. And this one was a blast!

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