Why Great Collecting Is More Emotional Than You Think

Hey, hello dear, friend,

Last week I wrote that commissioning art is a relationship, not a transaction, and I stand by that.

When someone commissions a piece, they’re not just buying something. They’re entering a conversation. They’re trusting me with a part of their space and, in many cases, a part of their story. But there’s another layer I’ve been thinking about...

Children don’t hesitate to be creative. They don’t overthink color combinations. They don’t justify their choices. They simply make them. Then we grow up. We become efficient. Rational. Practical. We make decisions that “make sense.” Creativity becomes something optional, or something we’ll get to later.

Almost forgot... if you are here just for the video I made for you this week, CLICK HERE.

Let's continue... Commissioning art is one of the few moments where adults interrupt that pattern. It’s a decision that says: I care how my space feels. I care what I look at every day. I care about living with intention. And that, my friend, is authorship.

'Sun is Shining' by Drica Lobo

When someone reaches out about a commission, the conversation rarely starts with, “I need something that matches my couch.” It usually starts with something else: “My home feels incomplete.”“I just moved into a new season.”“I want something that feels like us.”“I don’t see what I’m looking for anywhere.”

And that’s why commissioning can feel emotional, from an identity standpoint.. Not because of the price — but because it asks for clarity. It asks you to decide what represents you.

A good commission isn’t about control. It’s about collaboration. It’s about dialogue. It’s about understanding how you want to live in your own space.

This week I recorded a short 10-minute video explaining what a real art commission looks like — how the process works, what we talk about, how decisions are made, and how to know if it’s the right move for you.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes, this will give you a clear picture.

[WATCH THE VIDEO HERE]

Great collecting isn’t accumulation. It’s self-recognition. And sometimes the bravest thing you can do is say yes to something that doesn’t exist yet — but feels like you.

And that’s never JUST a transaction.

Commission spots are now open in limited quantity. If you’d like to secure one, reply to this email before the window closes next week.

Color Your Life!

Drica