The Joy of Painting Bigger: Why I’m Loving Going Larger

For years, I primarily painted small. There were a lot of practical reasons for it—smaller pieces are more affordable for buyers, require fewer supplies, and are much easier (and cheaper) to ship on Etsy. When I showcased my work at the Portland Jetport, smaller paintings were perfect for travelers who wanted to take a piece of Maine home with them without worrying about space.

But lately, I’ve been embracing painting bigger—and I have to say, I LOVE it! There’s something incredibly freeing and fulfilling about working on a large scale. Some of my favorite paintings are my bigger pieces, and I’ve been wondering why that is.

Why Painting Bigger Feels So Good

1. More Room to Express – With a larger surface, I can explore more textures, movement, and detail. There’s no need to hold back—I can let the brush flow freely and make bolder strokes.

2. A Different Kind of Energy – Big paintings command attention. They have a presence that smaller pieces just don’t. When I step back and see a large piece coming together, it feels powerful.

3. Self-Fulfillment Over Practicality – While small paintings make sense for selling and shipping, there’s something deeply satisfying about creating without limitations. Painting big allows me to push my creativity further.

4. More Immersive Experience – When I paint on a larger scale, I feel more connected to the process. I’m moving more, stepping back often, and fully engaging with the canvas—it becomes a whole-body experience!

Finding the Balance

Of course, I’ll still continue to offer smaller works for those who love them (and I do still love them, too!). But having options and allowing myself to enjoy the process of painting larger has been a game-changer. It reminds me why I fell in love with painting in the first place—to create freely, without restrictions.

So, if you’ve been thinking about going bigger, I say go for it! You might just find that your favorite pieces are the ones where you gave yourself the most space to create. If you are unsure about painting larger, then come join me on Patreon, where we'll be painting a larger watercolor LIVE, March 16th and you can follow along! 

Do you prefer painting big or small? Let’s chat in the comments!