Once, a long, long time ago when I was a wee and wiry lad, I bought my first piece of real art at the Ann Arbor Art Fair. By “real art” I mean a unique, handmade piece of art, on a canvas, in a frame. The works. I was pretty pleased. So was the artist. Made his day. That’s a good feeling in and of itself. But back to the art.

It was a carefully-crafted 40″ by 40″ work of what Marcel Duchamp might have called “retinal art,” that is, art meant to please the eye as opposed to the mind or soul. Or was it? The more I looked at it, the more I was aware of the crafting and design that went into it. It definitely stirred my mind. I’ve lived with it for years and still dig it. It hangs in the kitchen, “the heart of the house.”

A couple weeks after I bought it, the artist sent me a thank-you note and answers to some painting technique questions I’d asked him. One of the things he said that stuck with me is that art is a gift we give ourselves that gives back to us every day. You look at it, and it moves you. It provokes you. It makes you think or feel a certain way, every day.

I like that. It’s true. Art gives back every time you look at it. A great gift if there ever was one.

I really enjoy making art for gifts, and have done dozens over the years. Portraits, paintings of places, even paintings of quotes. Hit me if you’re ever interested in a commission. I’d love it.

Here are a few things I’ve made as gifts, commissioned by one person for another: