With Christmas just around the corner we have hit party season and a time for catching up with friends and family. For me this has meant many meals, sometimes multiple on the same day, and limited time to be creative. It has been a time to deliver last minute orders for coasters and candles and to collect the Christmas commissions from the gallery.

One of my commissions was for a beach scene in Donegal. I had to deliver it to a colleague from BNI, so she suggested that I attend her chapter meeting on Tuesday, as a visitor, and we could do the hand over there. What I didn’t expect was for her to stand up during the meeting, walk around the large board room table, place her hand on my shoulder and read out a framed testimonial to me.

As she read it aloud, she began to cry. It was really moving to witness firsthand just how much the painting meant to her and her family.

I have included the heartfelt testimonial content here, as it sums up why painting gives me so much pleasure. I wish I could bottle the warm feeling I get from being able to do this for someone ... it makes it all so worthwhile. Here goes ....

Dear Rhona

This testimonial is from my sister and I ...

Being a typical man, trying to think of a Christmas gift for our dad isn’t easy. Over a bottle of wine a few weeks ago we thought that a painting of a special place would be a good idea. I immediately thought of Rhona to help us with this.

With only three weeks until Christmas, I wasn’t sure if we had left it too late, but Rhona assured me she would be able to complete it on time.

We sent her three photographs of Portnoo beach in Donegal and hoped she would be able to work her magic.

Four days later Rhona sent me a photograph of the finished piece....to say we were happy with the finished article is an understatement, it was absolutely stunning. The likeness to the photograph is unbelievable.!

The reason we thought of this place is because our mum’s ashes are interned in the church overlooking this beautiful beach. Portnoo beach holds a special place in all of our hearts and we know our dad is going to love it.

We know this painting will take pride of place in dad’s house and will make us smile every time we look at it.

Words can’t ever describe how thankful we are that you have created this beautiful piece for our family.

Forever grateful,

Katy

I can’t think of a better advertisement for my business moving forward... producing bespoke, commissioned gifts for someone special. 

Wishing everyone a very merry, creative Christmas

Rhona x