Drawing Emily and Kate

I recently completed two charcoal portraits of sisters Kate and Emily. When I met their dad, Philip, I asked him why he wanted portraits of his girls. The first thing he said is that he thought they were at a really cute age. (Kate is six, and Emily is four.)

Then he said that his house needed some art. So we measured the space he had in mind and decided that two head portraits would work really nicely.

I loved getting to know these girls. Kate can sing all the songs to Frozen and Emily loves Hello Kitty and shopping at Target.

Each girl is totally natural in her portrait. Kate is wearing her Hutchison polo and Emily has on a cute purple dress with frills along the neckline.

Kate was confindent and relaxed when I took her picture. Emily, though, was shy and kept hiding under the covers. I sensed that she was a playful girl. I was so taken with her beautiful, white-blond hair that I chose to set if off against a dark background.

Each portrait captures what’s true and unique about the girls. As I'm spending time with them, I ask them questions and get to know them so I can bring their most natural selves out in the portrait. It’s a different approach than the one you would use to take a picture. I’m not looking for a quick snap shot or smiley-face; I’m trying to create a sense of who that child is as a person.

So maybe the child is super-smiley in the portrait, but often times not. Children just don’t walk around with smiles plastered on their faces. Instead, I try to capture a pleasant, natural expressions that reveals the personality of the child. Or another way to put it, they way they look when no one is watching.

It Starts in the Home

 

I believe that being a mom is an awesome, profound experience. It's one of the most important jobs in the world. That's why it's become my heartfelt mission to help parents express their unconditional love for their children and help children feel valued through my art.

I’m so inspired by this mission I decided interview a few of my collectors. I wanted to understand the challenges they face raising kids in a society that (mostly) undermines the Biblical view of family and marriage. Also- what are the joys? How has having a child made them experience love differently?

This month I sat down with my friend and collector Ale.  As we watched her two boys Sam and Noah play in the yard, Ale shared with me her experiences and the lessons she’s learned as a mom and wife.

“I’ve become more humble,” she says with a laugh. “I’ve realized that it’s not about me. I have no control over these kids.”

When she had her first son, Noah, Ale experienced love in a radically different way. She loved him immediately - and knew she would give her life for him.

I asked her what she saw as her primary responsibility to her kids. What she said touched me. Above all else, Ale wants her children to know God and have a relationship with him.

Every night, she and her husband Matt go to tuck in the boys. Noah prays for his little brother Sam, sometimes asking God to heal a cut or bruise that was healed weeks ago.

Ale also wants her boys to understand that we don't deserve anything we have in live. It's all a gift from God.

The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller has influenced the way she parents. “I want my children to see my husband and me happy so they feel safe and secure. It’s important that they know we are on the same page. Good communication is key. We both believe in spanking!”

What’s one piece of advice Ale would give to an aspiring wife and mother? “Make sure your relationship with your husband is strong. Don’t undermine each other. Don’t forget about each other.”

Henry's Story

 

When I finished the portrait of her son, my collector Micki thanked me for once again capturing the magic in her children.

I love how she phrased that. The magic in her children.

It made me think about how children see life. To a child, every day is an adventure. The world is exciting and limitless - they can be anything and go anywhere.

Children are totally honest and real. They don't hide their feelings and they don’t wear masks. They ask for what they want. Children have their own interests, personalities, and perspectives that I am privileged to celebrate in my work. Every portrait commission is a new opportunity to tell the story of a child.

This month I told Henry’s story.

Henry is a rascal-y two-year-old with sparkling eyes, rosy cheeks, and a mischievous grin.

He loves cats (Aristocats, to be exact), his rocking horse, and trains. He's endlessly curious.

He’s not above accepting candy bribes to stand still for a picture. And why should he? He’s got places to be and things to explore. Henry is a man on the move.

Last week, Micki and Dan Martin held an intimate gathering in their home to unveil Henry’s portrait. We sipped champagne and sampled hors d'oeuvres. Before the portrait was revealed, I shared insights into my creative process and the inspiration behind this piece.

Then we unveiled.

I have am so grateful to my patrons for loving my work and trusting my vision. As a token of my gratitude I presented them with a signed copy of my book.

It's an honor to tell the story of Micki and Dan's children in my work - to capture the magic of childhood.

How will you tell your child's story?

Portrait Unveiling: Jennings Goode

My collector Jenna was looking for an artist to paint her daughter Jennings. She is about to turn six, right around the age I recommend for portraits. Jenna heard of me because I've painted her friends' kids. She and her husband checked out my work and liked it, so she booked a consultation with me. I liked Jennings the first time I met her. She is so warm and engaging. I hadn't been in the house five minutes when she asked if I would like to see her room.

Naturally, I said yes.

It was like all little girls' rooms should be: pink, with beaded curtains on the door frame. She proudly showed me her collection of stuffed owls (favorite animal), her surprisingly well-organized desk, and her dolls. I posed as she took a picture of me on her new camera, an honor she bestows on all of her visitors;)

In addition to having a great personality, Jennings was an ideal portrait subject. She was calm and relaxed as I took her picture, like she was used to having her portrait painted.

I was inspired by her warm personality and the way her eyes lit up when she told me about her favorite things - playing the violen, her best friend Barnes, or being a St. Mary's flower girl. Before I began painting, I knew I wanted to emphasize her big blue eyes and dimples by keeping the background light and loose.

When Jenna saw the finished portrait, she said she almost cried for joy.

And I can't talk about this commission without mentioning baby Clyde. After I took Jennings pictures, he hopped up on the chair and said, “Cheeeese," which sounded more like "tchaayyyss." #babytalk.

For real? That's too cute. Just another reason I love what I do!

Five Tips for Commissioning Art

 

Commissioning art can be a rich, meaningful experience. My patrons tell me their portraits bring joy to their lives. Some have said it would be the first thing they'd grab if the house was one fire (I'm assuming that's after the kids.)

But my years in business have taught me that there is a lot of confusion surrounding the commission process. Most people have no clue where to begin or what to expect.

So if you're considering commissioning art, here are some helpful tips to get you started.

1. Get a referral. You wouldn’t look for a doctor or a therapist in the yellow pages. That’s because you need someone trustworthy and dependable for personal matters. Look for an artist who has worked with your friends and ask them for guidance and insights.

2. Ask the right questions. Before you commit, make sure you have a clear understanding of the artist’s process, pricing, and timeline. In addition, ask less obvious questions such as:

• Do you work from photos or from life?
• Does the price include the frame?
• What happens if I don’t like it?

3. Get it in writing. I never, ever,  accept a commission without a written agreement, signed by me and my patron. Contracts give clarity and protection.

4. Trust your gut. A good artist is a good business person. They deliver on their promises, meet their deadlines, and provide great service. Their process is clear and simple. Only work with an artist you like and respect (this goes both ways).

5. Too many cooks. You wouldn’t go into the kitchen at Iris and tell Kelly English how to make his dishes, would you? No. You’d be escorted off the premises faster then you can say bread puddin.’ If you like an artist’s work, trust her creative vision.

Have you ever commissioned an artist before? If so, what was your experience like?