By Kate Bradley 11 June 2013, 8:47AM
I met with a new client yesterday to finalize the details of a portrait she is commissioning of her daughter. I was surprised to hear from her because she originally told me she wouldn’t be able to do the portrait. We talked about doing a large oil and that was something she couldn’t afford right now. I totally understand and respect that. But then she called me last week and said she had changed her mind. She said she was with a friend who had two pastels done of her daughters when they were young and she was talking about how glad she was that she did them. Her daughters are older now and she was relieved and glad not to have those feelings of regret.
My client said she literally woke up in the middle of the night in a panic. She was afraid that if she didn't do this she would regret it. Her daughters are growing up quickly and if she didn't do it now she never could. Because I have many different price points at a wide range, she was able to find something that fit her budget.
I work with a lot of moms who tell me they see their children’s features change almost every day. I remember a portrait of a little boy with bright blond curly hair I did a couple of years ago. I saw him again recently and his hair is straight and dark. Or a little girl whose eyes were blue when I painted her and now they are brown.
It’s fascinating to me as an artist that my subjects change. I am so happy that I can help alleviate some of the pain and regret that these moms feels as their children grow up.