These photos are documentation of my friend DIP’s* DIY project.

I helped her stretch paper over the stretchers she purchased

And once it dried, she was ready to paint her first piece of art ever. She knew she wanted it to be a rich cobalt blue.  We put her in an apron, I handed her a brush and with the first stroke, she began her “blue period”.

Many strokes and canvas rotations later, here was her finished product.  I forgot what it was like to be so new to art.  Afraid of making mistakes, thinking I would “mess it up”.  It was a great reminder to me to watch her complete her piece and see her face of satisfaction.  It’s a feeling that can only come from standing back from a completed work and be truly happy knowing you completed the piece and really love it.

Finally, we moved it to her flat in DC and here it is in its new home.  Another artist is now among us.

*Name has been changed to protect her identity.