Today I was working on a design for a leather belt template at the request of my husband. The design needs to repeat across the length of the belt seamlessly. I think this design satisfies that requirement, but I don’t know if it’s going to have too much negative space. My husband is in bed already so I’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the verdict. This is just my first draft so I anticipate many changes before it is given the green light. Also, as is my habit, I didn’t measure or use a ruler when making this first sketch so that will need to be addressed in future renditions.

While this is something totally different than what I usually do, I found the challenge to be interesting. As much as I say I don’t like doing what other people want art-wise, I do end up having fun when I take the occasional commission or special requests. Helps me push myself in new directions and it certainly gives me me constraints, which suit me well. As long as it’s not everything I do, I think it’s just fine.

Do you have fun when working on a specially requested project or do commissions feel too constraining?