Jay lives a difficult existence on the farm with his father, forced to labour in the fields with little time to pursue his passion for painting. Constrained by the exhaustion of the farm and his father's disapproval of his art, Jay feels that his father cannot truly love him to treat him that way.

It is a nightmare which begins Jay's journey to confront his relationship with his father, a nightmare which soon seems to be more real than a dream could possibly be. A creature appears to Jay, promising to help him. Can the creature of Jay's nightmare help him to heal his relationship with his father, or is it all too late?

A Painted Lie is a fantastical story which deals with the complicated truth of family life, relationships, and grief.