Patt, would it be possible to show her what you have done so far, (DON'T OFFER ANY OF YOUR OWN COMMENTS!) telling her that you want to be sure you are on the "right track" with her expecttions? Be prepared to refund her deposit if she doesn't appreciate them. Just taking 1 baby step could alleviate all the weight. There's always a reason for a block like that; we just aren't always conscious of what it is because it gets jumbled up with other things. I suspect that the 50 lb. sack of fertilizer is a whole lot lighter and sweeter smelling than the way that you feel about this commission. If your client doesn't like the second two portraits, get your check book out and write her a check. Bingo! You're free. No commission check is worth the price of that 50 lb. sack you've been wearing. You can tell her that even good photos don't always make great paintings. It is always best to take your own photos (providing the subjects are ALIVE as they wouldn't look too lovely after having been dug up!). Quite honestly, the times that I get into the most "fertilizer" and have to go whining for help is when the source material is poor and I'm trying to change what I see. My wonderful teacher (Chris Saper) has written a mantra for me and made me repeat it. It has just a little to do with never using poor resource material??? Do I always observe it? No, but everytime I don't I sure know she is right.
Go for it. You can do it.
