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Children
Recently I completed a commission of two-year-old Virgil Love. That's right, Virgil Love. His mom, Courtney, named him after her grandfather, and what a name it is. I'm insisting that he has to grow up and be a musician or author. No C.P.A. should ever be named Virgil Love.
One important thing I've learned from painting portraits is that every child needs to know they are important. They want to feel loved and valued for who they are, not what they do or what others think of them. Each portrait I paint is about honoring the uniqueness of the child.
I am unbelievably proud and honored to be a volunteer at Streets Ministries. Last night they held their first fundraiser featuring ten portraits I did of Streets kids. I've written a lot about this project, and to see it completed was really satisfying. The night was about celebrating Streets and it's founder Ken Bennet. Like most people there, I was touched by the tribute to Ken and grateful for his service to the kids in the poor areas of our city. Streets has impacted lives for generations to come.
When your children are young, they are completely yours. You are the center of their world. Never again will they need you like they do now. You know has special that relationship is. You also know how quickly it goes by. Parents only have a small window of time when they can really make a deep, lasting impression.
Every parent wants their children to know they are loved unconditionally.
It can be hard, though, to express that in a meaningful, lasting way. Because of the values of the world we live in, it’s so easy for kids to grow up believing that their worth comes from their achievements, looks, and the opinions of others.
