It Had to Be a Dream |
Abstract Canvas Print from Original Oil Painting
by Nicole McNamara
The fragile hope of starting over after crisis—stormy yet radiant, raw yet healing.
You know that feeling when life hits so hard, it leaves you wondering if it was all just some messed-up dream? That’s what "It Had to Be a Dream" is all about. The stormy reds are the chaos and burnout. The golden sky is hope, straining to break through. And that wandering blue? That was me—lost, unsure, but still moving, even when I didn’t know where the hell I was going.
This piece was my very first oil painting, created right after clawing my way out of a mental health crisis. I’d just come out of in-patient treatment, feeling shattered but also—finally—ready to begin again. Every brushstroke marked the start of transformation: exhaustion giving way to healing, confusion turning into clarity, and vulnerability blossoming into truth.
And because every warrior woman needs a ride-or-die, I gave the original to my best friend, who held me together when I couldn’t do it myself.
This is more than wall art—it’s proof that we can rise from the fog, fractured but alive, and begin again.
Each print is made to order—a conscious rejection of mass production in favor of art that carries meaning. We don’t sit on inventory. We create your piece when you choose it. That’s why it ships within five business days—fresh, intentional, and yours alone.
"This was the first time I told the truth on canvas—it was messy, painful, and the start of everything."
- Nicole McNamara
Sizes & Placement
Each print is available in three versatile sizes — small, medium, and large — so it can live anywhere from a cozy nook or home office to a bedroom retreat or a bold statement wall in your living room.
Whether you’re styling a shelf vignette or filling the space above your fireplace, you’ll find the perfect fit.
Sizes – multiple canvas formats available
Free Shipping - U.S. & Canada
Ready to Hang – wired & wall-ready
Claim Your Piece of Resilience
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HIT ROCK BOTTOM AND ARE READY TO RISE AGAIN
The Mood This Palette Creates
Every shade in this piece is chosen with intention — to shift the energy of your space, spark emotion, and remind you of what’s possible every time you walk past it.
"It Had to Be a Dream" is driven by stormy reds and burnt oranges that pulse with raw chaos, contrasted against golden yellows that symbolize fragile hope. Deep blues cut through the composition like a wandering soul—restless, searching, yet resilient. The interplay of warm and cool tones creates a narrative of exhaustion colliding with rebirth, inviting viewers to find their own reflection in the push and pull between struggle and healing.
Starting at
$210
More Art in Similar Colors & Style
If these hues and composition caught your eye, here are other canvas prints painted with the same palette and style.
Behind the Canvas:
Oil Painting Print FAQ
Q: What makes this piece unique?
A: It Had to Be a Dream was Nicole’s very first oil painting—created after surviving a mental health crisis. It embodies transformation and resilience, making it more than art; it’s a story of survival and rebirth.
Q: Is this canvas print ready to hang?
A: Yes, all prints arrive gallery-wrapped, wired, padded, and ready to hang straight out of the box.
Q: How long does shipping take?
A: Each print is made to order and ships within approximately 5 business days, with free shipping to the U.S. and Canada.
Materials & Craftsmanship
Because your walls deserve more than mass-produced décor — they deserve art built to last.
- Museum-Grade Canvas: 410gsm archival cotton
- Archival Giclée Pigment Inks: Rich, vibrant, fade-resistant
- Protective Finish: Semi-gloss varnish for added depth and longevity
- Gallery-Wrapped: 1.5" mirrored edges for a clean, modern display
- Ready to Hang: Wired, padded, and installation-ready
- Free Shipping: Free shipping to the U.S. & Canada, ships in ~5 business days
- From an Original Oil Painting: No digital enhancements — just art with soul
