Hello friends, welcome to the third month of the year! Many people have commented on how much they like the painting for this month and I’m really excited to share the story behind it. So, come, let’s take a walk together, shall we?

Hannah and Eugene approached me about creating a painting for their home after thinking about it for a number of years. Hannah has been friends with my husband, Tim, since high school and she and Eugene watched me launch my art business in 2020. Our families stayed connected over the years and we enjoy supporting Eugene’s work with International Justice Mission (a really awesome organization tackling human trafficking around the world – go check them out!).

In our initial phone call, Hannah told me that she was envisioning a painting that could capture the feeling of walking in our local forests and looking up at the sky through the trees. I had never done a piece with this perspective before and it seemed both exciting and challenging; something I definitely wanted to take on. They told me their budget and I gave them some size options, as well as some digital mockups of what the various sizes might look like in their space. We also agreed that I would frame the piece for them.

They hoped the piece could be a reminder of the many walks they’ve taken together (physically and metaphorically) as well as serve as an invitation to exhale in the midst of their busy lives. Working off of several reference photos, I compiled this image for them. Originally, I hadn’t planned to include the sun, but as the painting evolved, it became clear that the sun was necessary.

Going into this project, I had not known much about the trees in our part of the world. Learning to paint trees better was something I wanted to work on, though, and I was so grateful that Hannah was knowledgeable in this area and shared her love of trees with me. Painting these trees definitely stretched my skills and I’m happy with how they turned out.

In designing the piece, we had explored various types of cloud options and we ended up going with these small, closely spaced puffs (I just looked it up and they’re called altocumulus clouds). I hadn’t had much experience painting this type of clouds before, so this part was also fun and challenging.

Witnessing the delight on their faces when they came to pick up the painting was a memory I will always cherish. It was their first time seeing it in person and they couldn’t stop staring at it! As the artist, I consider that a sign of a mission fulfilled. Later, after they brought it home, they told me they changed where they hung it so that they could see it more often.

In my initial conversation with Hannah, she had mentioned that she wanted the piece to remind her that it’s about the journey, not the destination. I thought it was only appropriate to title the piece, “It’s About the Journey.”

I chose this painting for the month of March because I was working on this piece around this time last year and in my mind, it’s associated with this month. I also hoped that the sun could warm up some of the bleaker days. My hope is that this piece can allow you space to exhale, whatever you might face this month, and remind you that it’s about the journey.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
The scripture I chose for this month is from Joshua 1:9, which says, “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” For a piece that is about journeying, it felt appropriate to remember that we do not travel alone.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: What emotions does this painting evoke for you? If you were to describe your current part of the journey, what three words would you use? How does knowing you don’t journey alone affect you?

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! On the first day of each month, I will be sharing the story behind that month’s painting in my 2026 art calendar and it would be my joy to journey with you throughout this year. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!

The post Every Painting Has a Story: March 2026 – “It’s About the Journey” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

Hi friends! Welcome to the final month of 2025! I don’t know what highs and lows you experienced this year but I am so grateful to be connected with you here at the end of the year. This month’s story is pretty unique. I hope it inspires you!

Back in October 2023, I received a message on Instagram from a lady named Erin who had been introduced to my work by her friend, Tracy. This was my first time receiving a commission inquiry via social media from someone I didn’t know, and at first, I was unsure if it was a scam message. Thankfully, I did not have to be so concerned because Erin was genuinely interested and a lovely person to get to know! 

Erin and I shared a love for skies and she was drawn to my Tiny Expanses collection. She asked if I might be able to create some tinies for her to give as Christmas gifts as well as some others for her to keep for herself. 

As our conversation progressed, we decided that I would complete 3 two-inch square pieces for her before Christmas to give away and another 3 in the new year, along with an 8”x10” painting of Pike’s Peak in Colorado for her own collection. 

Since Erin loved photographing sunsets, she sent me a selection of images to choose from for the tiny paintings. The image for the larger one was of a personally significant moment and also her own photo. It worked out really well because her photos had similar colours which made the paintings look really nice all together.

“Hope Endures” was the title I gave to this larger piece because Erin had shared with me how the mountain glowing under the storm clouds spoke to her of hope. My wish is that this painting would always remind her of Hope’s presence and that she is loved, regardless of what life’s circumstances might be.

For someone to commission me to create paintings for them, a certain level of trust is required. For that person to only know me from my online profile, the trust needed is even greater. I don’t take for granted the risk Erin was taking in asking me to create this series for her. And she was in the US while I was in Canada!

After the project was over, Erin said, “I could not have found a better person for this project! I am so in love with the paintings! They bring me joy and you did an amazing job! Thank you, Olive. They are even more beautiful in person!” The joy was mutual, truly.

I chose to end this year’s calendar with “Hope Endures” since the snow-capped mountains remind me of winter. When I put the calendar design together last year, I wouldn’t know how appropriate this piece would be for this particular month. 2025 has been a challenging year for many of us (and most of the world, it feels like!) so it feels right to remember as we enter the final month of this year that hope does indeed endure.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
I paired this month’s painting with the verse from 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) which reads, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” As we enter Advent and move toward Christmas, may we focus on these things that truly matter. I hope that this verse can help to re-center us within the whirlwind of activities, parties, and gift giving.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: If hope is the mountain beneath the storm clouds, what is your hope based on or made of? Take a moment to connect with that sense of hope and allow it to steady you as we enter this final (busy) month of the year.

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! While this is the final post for this year, I will begin anew in January where we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my 2026 art calendar. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!

The post Every Painting Has a Story: December 2025 – “Hope Endures” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

Well, friends, can you believe we are in the second-last month of 2025? The story behind this month’s piece is a gentle one and I hope it warms your heart.

I met Nate at our previous church after we had moved to Port Coquitlam. Over time, he became a family friend and he babysat our kids when they were little. In April 2023, Nate attended my first solo art show and decided to purchase one of my paintings. The next month, he reached out to me and asked if he could commission a painting based on a sunset photo he had taken while on a trip to Seaside, Oregon with his family a number of years ago.

Since he wanted a 12″x12″ square painting and the original photo was rectangular, I gave him two composition options – one with the sun on the right, and the other with the sun on the left. He chose the first one.

When I asked him what the painting meant to him, he told me, “The picture reminds me of God’s amazing love that He has for us.” I resonate with that because that’s how I feel every time I see a beautiful sunset too.

I titled it, “Calming Moment,” because the scene truly is a calming moment. But I also wanted the piece to continue offering Nate those calming moments whenever he saw the painting.

I chose this piece for the month of November because the pace of life tends to pick up during this month as we head toward December. I wanted a piece that could invite us to slow down and take a breath.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
I paired this month’s painting with the verse from Psalm 131:2 (MSG) which reads, “I’ve cultivated a quiet heart, like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content.” I love the image of a contented baby in its mother’s arms. And I appreciate the feminine imagery of a God who would feed us and hold us in comfort and protection.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: Imagine yourself in this scene at the ocean watching the sun set. Inhale and smell the salty air. Now exhale. What anxieties are you invited to let go of?

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!

The post Every Painting Has a Story: November 2025 – “Calming Moment” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

Welcome to October, friends! As the weather turns cooler in the Northern Hemisphere, I hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy. The story for this month’s artwork is a lovely one. I invite you to cozy up with something warm and spend a few moments with me.

I met Corrine way back in high school when we were both doing backstage theatre. After graduating, we lost touch for a while but thanks to the magic of social media, we reconnected. In 2023 when I was visiting Toronto, we had the chance to meet up. Corrine had been thinking about commissioning a painting from me and we chatted about what she might want. She was re-doing her living room and envisioned a statement piece for above her couch.

After I returned to Vancouver, we continued the conversation and decided to do a piece based on a photo she had taken from her cottage by Muskoka Lake. She sent me photos of her space, along with the dimensions, and I created some digital mockups so she could see what the finished effect might be. She chose a 30″x60″ deep canvas.

To transport such a large painting, I had to take the canvas off the stretcher bars and roll it up to mail it to Toronto. Thankfully, I had a reliable framer who could re-stretch it for me. The whole process from concept to completion took over a year, but it was so worth it.

The title for this piece, “Haven,” is a reflection of the fact that Corrine’s cottage is a haven for her. It also expresses my hope that the painting itself would be a place of restfulness in the midst of her daily life at home.

After the project was over, Corinne had this to say about the process: “Working with Olive was an incredible experience. I had no idea what to expect and her kind, easy-going nature put me at ease right away. Having something commissioned is a big commitment and it was immediately clear that Olive goes above and beyond to make her clients happy.

“From start to finish, she was careful to walk me through each step. She was always there to help and suggest ideas but also gave me the time to decide what would work best for my space. It felt like a collaboration which was unexpected and so lovely. Olive has such huge talent and I love the piece she made for me.”

I chose this piece for October for what is perhaps a selfish reason. October is typically when I feel a downturn in my mental and emotional health and I wanted something beautiful and uplifting to look at. The vibrancy of this piece does just that. My hope is that it does the same for you.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
I paired this month’s painting with the verse from Mark 6:31 (NIV) which reads, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Whatever you are facing this month, may these words from Jesus be your invitation to slow down and rest.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: What parts of you feel weary today? Where can you find a haven in your particular life circumstances right now? How can you carve out some moments to rest?

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!

The post Every Painting Has a Story: October 2025 – “Haven” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

How has the summer flown by already? I hope you have had a restful couple months and that you feel energized going into the fall. (I don’t feel quite ready yet but I hope you do!) As we enter into September, I have a heartwarming story to share with you.

“Heart’s Treasure” was a commissioned painting from another dear friend of mine from church. Heather and Mike were part of the same small group as Sue and Marc (whom I shared about last month) and Heather had also previously commissioned pieces with me before (you can read about those pieces in my Oct 2023 blog post.)

Heather’s late sister had been a lover of sunsets and often took photos of the sky. So Heather asked if I could do a painting of one of her sister’s photos to remember and honour her by. She had a space in mind in her home which helped us decide on a 11″x14″ canvas. Heather sent me a few photos she was considering and we discussed which one might make the best painting.

During the process of painting this piece, Heather looked back at the original photo and realized her sister had taken the photo on June 27, 2023. It felt poetically satisfying to deliver it to her on the one year anniversary of when the photo was taken.

I titled this painting “Heart’s Treasure,” as a reflection of the sister relationship and for the way photos of skies were Heather’s sister’s heart’s treasures.

It was such a joy for me to see Heather’s eyes light up when she saw her piece for the first time. What made Heather’s response extra special was that in the ten minutes it took for me to drive home from her place, she already hung it up and sent me a photo of it in its new home.

Thank you, Heather, for choosing to include me in this deeply meaningful way to remember your sister. May this piece always invite you into a calm space and remind you that you are dearly loved.

I chose this piece for September because the rich orangey-red sky colours speak to me of autumn. I hope that it offers you calm moments in the midst of your days.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
I paired this month’s painting with the verse from Matthew 6:21 (NIV) which reads, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I hope it can be an invitation to examine what we are truly valuing in our lives.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: This piece is a reflection of both love and grief. As you think about your own loves and losses, what emotions arise in you? Who or what might you count as treasure in your heart?

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email, or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!

The post Every Painting Has a Story: September 2025 – “Heart’s Treasure” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

It’s August already! Around where we live, we’ve been enjoying all the fresh blueberries and local produce. Our family is heading on vacation next week and I’m so looking forward to some down time. I hope this month’s story and painting can offer you a little breather, too.

The painting for this month was a commission for one of my dear friends who had previously commissioned a piece. We met Sue and Marc through our church small group and have shared many deep as well as joyful moments with them. Sue had initially approached me to create a piece to brighten up their bedroom (I featured it in my 2023 calendar and you can read the story behind that piece here). Soon after that piece was completed, she asked if I could paint a second piece based on her daughter’s photo from Circlet Lake on Vancouver Island, BC.

Sue was so patient with me as it took me over a year to get to her second painting. After discussing where she wanted to hang it in her living room, we settled on a 24″x30″ deep canvas. She explained to me that what spoke to her about this image was the air of mystery as well as the vibrant blue.

Being someone who longed for the sun during our dreary Pacific Northwest winters, Sue asked that I incorporate a source of light into the painting. I initially put a sun peaking through the tree branches in the upper left side along with a reflection in the water, but the two points of light felt like they were competing against each other. So I took away the sun from the sky and shifted the reflection to be more prominent in the water.

As an artist, what I remember most about painting this piece was that it was my first time trying to paint logs submerged in the water. I learned that if I mixed the blue/teal with brown, it gave me a very natural looking effect. I was actually surprised by how easily that part came together!

I titled it Solace because I hope this piece offers them moments of rest. I also like that the word sol means sun in Latin and this painting brings some sun into their home. Marc texted me the next day to say he was really enjoying the painting. I consider that mission complete!

I chose this piece for August because it strikes me as a very summer painting. To me, it’s a moment of rest in the shade, a pause mid-hike to take in the beauty of the mountains and the lake – and that’s what I hope this painting can be for you: a solace amidst your days.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
I paired this month’s painting with the verse from Psalm 91:1 (NIRV) which reads, “Whoever rests in the shadow of the Most High God will be kept safe by the Mighty One.” It is an invitation to rest and a promise of safety. Afterall, we can’t really rest if we don’t feel safe, can we?

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: Take a moment with this image, what stands out to you? Allow the calmness of the scene to slow down your breathing. Notice where you might be holding tension in your body and let it go. How are you being invited to pause and rest?

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email, or connect with me.

The post Every Painting Has a Story: August 2025 – “Solace” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

Welcome to July, my friends. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere like I am, July is the height of summer and the painting for this month encapsulates a special summer memory for dear clients of mine. Ready for the story?

Way back in May 2022, I received an email from my friend, Allen, who was considering a commissioned work as a gift for his wife, Kay, to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Allen’s parents and mine were long-time friends (his sister was actually my parents’ flower girl!) and we had seen each other as kids and reconnected more recently through social media. Of course I said it would be an absolute honour to paint them something.

After a phone call and some discussion, they decided they wanted a statement piece for above the couch in their living room. For a while already, Kay had been wanting to get an enlargement of a photo they’d taken on a family excursion to Centre Island. It was, in Kay’s words, “A moment that I wanted to remember… A moment when my 4 kids were carefree, enjoying riding bikes with us parents and with their siblings, and for me to just be present and be grateful for the health and family we have.” How much better would it be to have a painting of it?

At 30″x60″, it was the largest commission I’d done to date and it felt significant that the skyline was of Toronto, the city I was born and raised in. I had been planning to visit Toronto in the summer of 2023 so I asked Allen and Kay if they would be ok with waiting for me to bring the painting to them. They told me not to rush and we made plans to see each other on my visit.

With the canvas being so large, I had to decide how to transport it from Vancouver to Toronto. One option was to build a crate for it and ship it across the country. This was, however, a very expensive option. A more economical and practical option would be for me to remove the canvas from the wooden stretcher bars, roll it up carefully, and transport it in a tube mailer. Once it arrived in Toronto, a framer would re-stretch the canvas. Since I was going to be flying to Toronto, I could bring it with me as a carry-on item.

The plan would be that I would arrive in Toronto, bring the painting to a framer, get it re-stretched and meet Allen and Kay at the framers’ so they could see the painting in-person and also choose a frame for their painting. All this within a week.

What remained for me to figure out was which framer I would use in Toronto. Fortunately, through an online search, I found Peter at Bordered Image, and he was able to accommodate my quick turnaround time and do it within a reasonable budget. (Side note: Bordered Image has recently moved to a larger location with a gallery space. If you’re in the Markham area, check it out!)

Thankfully, my plan worked out and I was able to meet Allen and Kay at Peter’s shop and see their reaction to their painting. Kay chose a beautiful silver frame for their piece and Peter did a wonderful job framing it up for them. A few months after I returned to Vancouver, I received a photo from Allen and Kay of the painting hanging up in their home. This project spanned 17 months from inception to completion and it was truly epic.

I titled this piece, “Where We Belong,” borrowing from the 80’s pop song, “Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong,” as a reflection of how they belong with each other, and also because it is a painting of the city they call home. More importantly, I hoped that it could remind them that Love is the One who holds them and is their place of ultimate belonging.

After seeing their painting in person, Allen said, “It exceeded my expectations and I love it!” Kay shared the story about the meaning behind the image with me and also wrote, “Your painting captures this moment for me, Olive, and that is a true gift… Feel free to share this as I hope it may encourage others to reach out to you should they have such a moment or photo they want to capture by your artistic eye and talent.”

A significant part of being an artist, for me, is the connection. As much as artwork is a product, I believe what I offer is really a service. It brings me deep satisfaction to be able to bring a concept from an idea into real life alongside of my clients and I hope that the commission process is an experience they will remember with fondness.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
This month’s painting is paired with the verse from Isaiah 43:1 (NIRV) which reads, “Do not be afraid… you belong to me.” I thought it was appropriate to have a reminder of our belonging-ness to go along with the title for this piece. Whatever you may be facing this month, may this promise of belonging to God bring you comfort.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: Imagine yourself in a similar scene, where would your location of belonging be if it’s not Toronto? What emotions do you associate with belonging? What current fears do you have that would subside knowing that you belong to God?

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email, or connect with me.

The post Every Painting Has a Story: July 2025 – “Where We Belong” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

June in our family marks the end of another school year and with it, a whole parade of events. The piece for this month is intentionally calming because I know that I, at the very least, need that visual calm! I’m happy to be sharing this story with you and I hope you enjoy it. Since it’s a busy month for me, this will be short and sweet.

“Luminescent Spirit” was a commission from a lovely person who had followed my writing for a long time. (Fun fact: Tim and I quit our jobs and blogged/wrote books for a year before starting our marketing company – which was my work before going into art. My client had been a reader from those early days!)

For a while, my client had wanted a piece for their home but life circumstances prevented it. Now that life was more settled, she reached out to me for a custom piece.

Typically, when someone approaches me for a commission, I book an initial phone call with them to get a better sense of what they’re looking for. This was no exception. As we talked, my client told me how her favourite skies were gentle pink clouds. After the call, she sent me some photos of skies that she liked. We also explored what locations felt meaningful to her. In the end, she decided on the view from the lakeside in Muskoka where she had taken a retreat and where she had an experience of connecting with God. She gave me artistic freedom in terms of the lighting in this piece, which was really fun for me.

For her piece, I combined the physical elements of her lakeside photo with a soft pink sky that she liked. I added a slight glow behind the landform to add interest and depth.

I titled it, “Luminescent Spirit,” in reference to the glow of the painting but also as a reminder of the Light within her. I hope this painting brings her back to her time at the lake and that it offers her a space to remember that she is deeply loved.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
For this month, I paired the painting with Matthew 5:14 (The Message translation) which reads, “You are here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.” Just as colours become more vibrant in the sunlight, I love how this verse applies the analogy to us. We are invited to point people’s attention to God’s presence and activity in our world.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: What emotion(s) surface when you spend time looking at this piece? Notice how the light brings out the beautiful colours in the clouds, in what way(s) are you being invited to bring out the “colours” in the people and world around you? Who in your life brings out the unique and beautiful parts of you?

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email, or connect with me.

The post Every Painting Has a Story: June 2025 – “Luminescent Spirit” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

It’s May! One of my favourite months of the year – partly because it finally feels like Spring and partly because it’s my birthmonth. Also, I get double celebrations because of Mother’s Day. Appropriately, the story behind this month’s painting is a lovely tale of a mother and a daughter. I hope you enjoy it! [Note: I recognize that Mother’s Day can bring up a range of emotions. If you find this a difficult topic, please take care of yourself and feel free to skip this post.]

A few years ago, my collector had commissioned me a piece for her mother as a Mother’s Day gift. They both loved it and when my client herself had a baby, she reached out to ask if I could create a piece for her daughter’s room. She enjoyed the look of a triptych (three panels making up one piece) and requested that the image be of clouds with a multicoloured theme as a reflection of the meaning of their child’s name.

My client gave me a lot of artistic freedom and as we explored options, we landed on this ethereal, dreamlike cloudscape. It was super fun for me to paint and the colours were delightful to work with. As a finishing touch, I added in some iridescent violet to add to the feeling of uniqueness. The iridescent sections would shimmer at certain angles under the light and made it feel extra magical.

The title, “Magic Minutes,” was provided by my client as it was a phrase with special meaning in their family. I thought it was more than appropriate for this piece! My hope is that whenever my client and their child sees this painting, they would be brought to a place of delight and be reminded that they are loved.

It was such an honour to be asked to create this piece for my client’s child and I never cease to be amazed when parents request custom artwork for their children as an expression of their love. It is truly so special!

For those with the Scripture calendar:
The verse paired with this month’s painting is from Isaiah 49:15 (NLT) which reads, “Can a mother forget her nursing child?… Even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” What a comforting declaration of unfailing Divine love. I don’t know what your relationship with your own mother is, but I find it so reassuring to know that God would never forget us.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: Looking at this piece and knowing that it was as gift from parents to their little child, can you feel the delight in it? Thinking about yourself as the child of the Divine Parent, how easy is it for you to see yourself as delighted over? How can you lean more fully into God’s delight in you this month?

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email, or connect with me.

The post Every Painting Has a Story: May 2025 – “Magic Minutes” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

Welcome to 2025, my friends! We are finally able to use my calendars! A special welcome to those of you who are joining for the first time – I really hope that you enjoy reading the stories behind each month’s painting and that you find something encouraging and/or relatable in each one.

It only seemed appropriate to begin a new year by featuring a piece about a sunrise. “As Sure As the Dawn” is a triptych (fancy word for a three-part painting) that a friend of mine had commissioned me to do in 2022. She had recently moved homes and wanted a piece for the wall by her piano. She had seen some previous triptychs of mine and knew that she wanted one.

For the subject of the painting, we combined a photo my client had taken on a personally significant trip in Sedona, Arizona with a beautiful sunrise sky, to represent the start of a new chapter in her life. We also worked together to determine the composition. I thought it was important for each panel of the triptych to have a focal element so I emphasized the rock formation on the left panel, a path in the center panel, and the sun rising on the right panel.

I titled it, “As Sure As the Dawn” inspired by the Bible verse that says, “Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring” (Hosea 6:3). My hope was that this painting could be a reminder of how God faithfully shows up when we open ourselves.

As we enter this new year, my wish for all of us is that we begin with hope. May we stay watchful for all the ways that goodness, love, and beauty show up, even in the darkness of winter.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
The verse for this month is the one this painting’s title is based on. “Let’s press on to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn” (Hosea 6:3). As we begin a new year, I see this as an invitation – to continue to lean into pursuing and knowing the One who created and sustains us. In the coming week, Tim and I will be doing our yearly planning day and these words help me remember the greater vision even as we plan and discuss the daily matters in our lives. I also hold on to the promise in this verse, that when we seek God, God will come to us. 

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: What, if anything, is “dawning” in your life at this time? What are you hopeful for at the start of this year? Notice the rocks in the painting, what or who in your life is constant and steadfast like the rocks?

If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)

As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email, or connect with me.

The post Every Painting Has a Story: January 2025 – “As Sure As the Dawn” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.