I hope everyone had a wonderful Father’s Day! Ben is a tough guy to get gifts for. He’s not interested in techy things, doesn’t need dressy clothes, and is extremely practical. Because he mentioned wanting one large item on the family room mantel, I decided to make him a huge painting.
Actually, I came up with the idea after seeing two foot by four foot canvases at Michael’s for 30 bucks. Better yet, I had a 50% off coupon. Inspired by Karen Smidth’s paintings, I set out to make a semi abstract landscape painting based on this photo I took several years ago in western Montana.
We’ve been there several times as a quick weekend getaway and have always really enjoyed ourselves, so it seemed perfect. Using acrylic paints I had in my craft stash, I started painting. Then Ben came home earlier than I expected and saw what I was working on. Luckily, he really liked it, but I’m not totally in love with it.
Some of the details I like. Like the snow-capped mountains and grass.
And the size is great. What seemed huge carrying around the store now looks perfectly normal on the mantel.
The overall look is kind of a minimal abstract mixed with Grandma Moses folksy.
But the colors make me smile and the intended recipent likes it, so that’s what really matters, right?! That’s what I’ll keep telling myself, anyway. Who knows though, it could grow on me. Or I could get the urge to change some things. I didn’t bother painting the sides because I want to build wood frame to finish it off.
And there’s still the ceiling to finish. Ugh, I can’t work up the desire to sand it smooth.
In other news, our bathroom is featured in the current issue of Kitchen + Bath Makeovers!!
Ahh, so crazy to see our faces and home smiling back at us.
Is your guy a tough one to buy for? I considered getting a bocce ball set because we’re building a court out front, but that didn’t seem as personal. Do you have a go to dude gift?
ourhumbleabodeblog.com 
I love the painting Amanda. I adore really personal and handmade gifts. It looks awesome above the mantle. Congrats on the feature! As you know, I peeped you out yesterday in Home Depot;)
Hi Shavonda!
Thanks, lovely! And thanks for the shout out in Home Depot! 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
What a sweet gift and its from your heart so its perfect! I’m my own biggest critic too ~ Congrats on the feature!
Hi Katrina!
Isn’t that annoying?! I think my biggest problem is I picture something in my head and then it doesn’t turn out exactly like it and I’m disappointed. But right when Ben saw it, he said he really liked it. Completely unprompted, so you know it’s true. 😉
Thanks!
Amanda
I love it! Actually, I’d definitely pay money for it. And the colours do make you smile 🙂
Hey Kristen!
Well that’s a super high compliment! Thank you so much!!
Thanks!
Amanda
I love the painting too! Such a sweet gift!
Thanks, Cuckoo4design! So glad you like it.
Thanks!
Amanda
Beautiful painting. Congrats on your magazine feature. You guys really deserve the publicity.
Hi Monique!
Thanks so much! You’re too nice. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
Great job on the painting! It’s gorgeous! 🙂
Hi Ashley!
Why thank you, you super sweet gal!
Thanks!
Amanda
I think it turned out great! I also think it’ll look a lot better when you frame it 🙂
Hey Jillian!
Well thanks! I’m working on the frame now, so hopefully it will finish it off nicely. Can’t wait to share more. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
Congrats on being featured! So fun (and I love that magazine). That landscape reminds me of where my in-laws used to live in Seeley Lake; western Montana is so wonderful! My husband is hard to buy for as well-but gifts aren’t as important to him as they are to me, so from the heart always hits the sweet spot. I need to figure out something large to do for our mantle, the hard thing is that it’s a corner fire place so a lot of space to stage depth wise, but nothing to lean against really…alas…