When it comes to selecting designs for Mitten Masterpiece, there are only two questions that truly matter to me.

First: Would I genuinely enjoy painting this?
Second: Would I be proud to hang it on my wall when it’s finished?

Every design we release has to pass both tests. If the answer to either question is no, it doesn’t move forward—no matter how popular the subject might be or how easy it would be to produce.

Painting Should Be Enjoyable—but the Result Should Last

Paint by number has long been appreciated as a relaxing, accessible creative outlet. And that matters. The act of painting—slowing down, focusing on color, watching an image come together—is incredibly rewarding.

But during my early experiences as a paint-by-number customer, I noticed something interesting. Many kits were fun to paint… and then quietly disappeared into garages, basements, or closets once they were finished.

Not because the painter didn’t enjoy the process—but because the final artwork didn’t feel like something that belonged on the wall.

That disconnect stayed with me.

What I Personally Want to Paint

The first filter for every design is personal. I ask whether the image feels engaging enough to spend hours with. Does it have visual flow? Interesting color transitions? A sense of depth or story that unfolds as you paint?

If a design feels flat, overly busy, or visually uninspiring, it becomes work instead of enjoyment. I’m not interested in painting something just to finish it—I want the process itself to feel immersive and satisfying from the first brushstroke to the last.

If I wouldn’t look forward to painting it myself, it doesn’t belong in a Mitten Masterpiece kit.

What I’d Actually Hang in My Home

The second—and equally important—question is whether the finished piece earns its place on the wall.

That means considering:

Composition and balance
Color harmony
Timelessness over trend
Whether it feels decorative and substantial

We avoid designs that feel novelty-driven or disposable. Instead, we gravitate toward artwork that feels intentional—pieces that complement a space rather than compete with it.

A finished Mitten Masterpiece should look like art you chose, not just something you completed.

Stafford’s Perry Hotel Summer Classic in Petoskey Hung on the Wall

Designing for Real Homes, Not Just the Painting Table

One thing I’ve learned is that wall-worthy art doesn’t need to be intimidating or overly complex. It needs clarity, cohesion, and a sense of purpose.

When we convert an image into paint by number, we’re constantly asking:

Will this still feel beautiful when viewed from across the room?
Does it have enough visual interest to stand on its own?
Will someone feel proud pointing to it and saying, “I painted that”?

Those questions guide every design decision we make.

Why We’re Selective by Design

There are countless paint-by-number options available today, and many of them succeed at being relaxing and approachable. That’s a good thing. But at Mitten Masterpiece, our goal is slightly different.

We’re designing for people who want both:

A calming, enjoyable painting experience
A finished piece that feels permanent and meaningful

That’s why we’re selective. Not every image translates well into paint by number, and not every paint-by-number painting deserves wall space. We embrace that distinction rather than trying to appeal to everything at once.

When Process and Outcome Align

The most rewarding moment is when the process and the result align—when painting feels effortless and the finished artwork feels intentional. That’s the experience we design for every time.

By choosing designs I personally want to paint and want to hang, we ensure that each Mitten Masterpiece kit is created with genuine care, taste, and long-term enjoyment in mind.

Because the best paint-by-number kits don’t just fill an afternoon—they earn a place in your home.

❤️ With Love from Michigan,
Bobbie

How We Choose Our Paint-by-Number Designs (and Why Wall-Worthy Always Comes First)