Although I love commissions, and I love to teach art lessons and Sip & Paint classes, there is nothing I enjoy more than GIVING art. When you give art, you give a small piece of yourself. It represents not only thought, but time and love.

On many occasions, I have gifted art to family members. At our wedding rehearsal dinner, I presented our parents and each member of our wedding party with a small oil painting. It took me weeks to do all of the paintings, but in the end, I was so happy to give them something more than a bottle opener or a personalized compact mirror.

Often, I gift my own art when I know that the subject resonates with the gift recipient, or when they have openly expressed a love for a particular piece of art. I try to notice when someone is intrigued by a piece of art so that I can surprise them with it later, framed and neatly wrapped on a special occasion.

This particular piece I gifted to a friend - a fellow Pisces and lover of all things related to water. Her home has a coastal theme and mine does not. I thought, who better to have this than her? I hope she loves it and it looks just right with her home decor.

Instead of buying mass-produced art from a big box store, consider hiring an artist to create a personal piece that speaks to you and your gift recipient. Nothing goes straight to the heart like custom art!