It may seem obvious that you should create what you love the most. For me, when it comes to painting, this means mostly concentrating on animal portraits with the odd human portrait getting a look-in every now and then.
I have always been magnetically drawn to animals. When I was little, and we watched nature programs on the telly, I would plead with my parents: “Can I have one?” whenever an animal took my fancy. Granted, they were usually soft, fluffy baby mammals of some sort. My parents would chuckle at my reactions to cute creatures, but my fascination with the natural world has never abated.
Even neighbours’ dogs and cats would be on the receiving end of my devotion. I didn’t even mind when a dachshund bit me. (Well, it wasn’t really Fritz’s fault – he was dressed up in a bonnet and being pushed around in a pram at the time. I still don’t blame him for being cranky.)
Today, most animals hold some intrigue for me: frogs, lizards, birds – anything goes. 
Jewel tree frog
They don’t even need to be fluffy anymore. Perhaps snakes might be a step too far, but I do see beauty in their patterning and the Cobra is a stunning example of the species.
Painting something you love tends to come more naturally and feels “right”. I don’t consider myself very good at landscapes, for example. There are so many other artists that excel at painting wonderful mountains and seascapes. I can’t do them the same justice.
I most enjoy trying to capture the character of the living creatures I paint, and I feel that to focus on what I love creating will lead to better end results and less frustration in the long run.
