The Beauty of Childhood

I was once asked if I preferred painting children or adults. Children, I said, hands down. It's the pure, angelic beauty of childhood that inspires me. Children don't need makeup or touch-ups; they are perfect just they way they are. I'm captured by their beautiful skin, glossy hair, and chubby cheeks and I love celebrating that in a work of art.

I was talking to a grandmother yesterday and we were admiring her granddaughter's alabaster skin. Your skin looks its best when you are a child, she said. Amen to that!

Recently I finished a portrait of beautiful little Gracie. Last year I drew her older sister, Caroline, and their mom told me Gracie wanted to know when it would be "her time with Ms. Kate."

Adorable.

Gracie was a perfect little model. She was so relaxed and natural in front of the camera. It made my job easy. As I was going through her photos, I considered drawing her with a different, more serious expression on her face. But in the end decided a smile was more fitting to her personality. Gracie is always smiling, it seems.

And I have to talk about her hair, which her crowning glory. Gracie loves her hair so I wanted to make it the focal point of her portrait. As she grows up, her hair will change and she will have different cuts and styles, but her mom will always remember how much she loved her long hair - the pride she took in it.

Her mom Kristen has told me that she could not love her daughters' portraits more. She said they were worth every penny.

I know the kind of bond Kristen has her daughters from the time I've spent around them, and it's an honor for me to celebrate that and give her something she will treasure forever - portraits of her precious daughters.

What are the most beautiful features on your child, that you wish you could bottle up?

This Time Is Ours

Twins Matthew and Mitchell may have been born together, but their personalities are very different. Mitchell is boisterous and outgoing, while Matthew is calm and contemplative. I took their pictures one sunny afternoon, which also happened to be the boy's birthday party. It was "Fireman" themed, naturally. There was red a yellow everywhere, with a giant stuffed dalmatian, and sandwiches from Firehouse subs. But the best part was the bounce-y gym stationed outside that the kids had an absolute blast playing in.

Matthew and Mitchell were decked out, looking adorable in their red shirts, fireman hats, and goulashes. Before I can begin a portrait I have to spend time with the children, doing the things they love to do.

I knew I had to capture Matthew in his fireman hat. I loved the idea of drawing him in something that he loves; that is so unique to him. It captures that spirit and magic of childhood- that complete joy and abandonment of being who you are and doing what you love. I also loved that their parents, Anne and Thayne, would forever remember their boys at this specific age and time.

And Mitchell- purely lost in the moment, having the time of his life.

Thayne and Anne were moved when they saw the portraits. Especially Thayne. He said that the boys would have their own lives when they got older, but this time was his and Anne’s.

A new grandmother expressed this same sentiment to me. She said when you’re a young mom you think you’ll remember those early childhood years, but now that her daughter is grown she’s realized you don’t remember them. You’ll have some pictures, she said, but you wont have something that really captures a specific time.

Capture those precious years. Reserve your child’s portrait today.

Painting with Purpose

 

I've always loved to create. Making art gives me a sense of purpose and I really feel like I'm honoring God when I'm painting. It's kind of like that line from Chariots of Fire, where competitive runner Eric tells his sister, "When I run, I feel God's pleasure."

For years I've carried around this mental image of God as the Master Artist and me as the Little Artist, reflecting his glory by painting his creation. So making art gives my life meaning and significance.

Selling my art, bringing joy to people’s lives by capturing their children, deepens my satisfaction and pleasure in making art. Knowing that I’m serving people in helping them celebrate the relationship they have with their children – it’s a truly beautiful calling.

Some of the moms I work with prayed for years to have children. They’ve prayed, their families have prayed; that’s how bad they wanted to be moms and that’s how much their children mean to them. I was talking with a mom yesterday who said when she had her first son, she knew she loved him unconditionally. She knew she would give her life for him.

The relationship between a parent and a child is the closest picture we have of the way God loves us. That’s why being a parent is such an awesome responsibility. I've heard it eloquently expressed as a call to servanthood. A call to lay down your life.

My job is to help parents express their unconditional love for their children and help children feel valued. If someone commissions art in your honor, it's because you are loved. Through my art, I help parents tell their children they are loved and valued.

Growing up, I didn’t have the best relationship with my mom. I mostly blame myself - those terrible teen years when it's your job to be mean to mom. But also my parents had a difficult marriage and my mom’s relationship with my grandmother was strained.  So all of this affected us.

But as I was journaling and reflecting, it inspired me to write her a note telling her how much I appreciate her and everything she’s done for me.  I told her she is a gift from God to me, and to never doubt that she is a good mother.

It’s a blessing to be reminded of the gift of motherhood daily in my work. And thanks to all the moms out there for the daily laying down your life and for the privilege to paint your greatest treasure- your children.

Tanner, Cannon, and Walter

It's been an exciting week in my studio. Recently I finished a big project: three full-length oil portraits of five-year-old boys Cannon, Walter, and Tanner. I have loved getting to know my collectors, Deede and Scott, and there three adorable triplets.

From the moment I met Deede, I could tell how much her boys meant to her. She showed me their baby pictures and told me about how each one has their own personality. Of course, all three like playing sports and climbing trees, but when I met them I could see what she meant.

Cannon is mischievous and rambunctious. Definitely not an introvert. When I was taking his picture, he took me all over the house, showed me his toys, and performed all his ninja moves for me. His portrait captures him "in- action," which I think is appropriate for someone with his out-going personality. He’s also got that twinkle in his eye, which Scott said means, "I’m about to do something, but I’m cute so you can’t stop me."

Tanner is shy and so sweet. He has the cutest little rasp-y voice and was perhaps the easiest to photograph, a natural in front of the camera. I didn't have to tell him to how to smile or pose. Deede said he always wants to toss the baseball, so it's perfect to have him with his ball and glove.

And Walter. Walter is the same age as his brothers (obviosuly) but he’s a little bigger and he stood out to me as the leader. He was quite and confident, and a little shy in front of the camera. But I saw him in his element hitting balls with his dad. You can tell the other boys look up to him.

It was such a blessing for me to celebrate the uniqueness of Scott and Deede's children. It was inspiring to see them in their natural element- playing outside, climbing and exploring, and having adventures. I love their similarities, as well as their distinct personalities.

As the boys grow up, I know it will mean so much to their parents to have captured this special time in their lives.

What Do Artists and Chefs Have in Common?

 

Tuesday night I had an open studio event, where guests could come and see the portraits I’m working on and ask me questions about my creative process.

It was a great chance for those interested in a commission to see a portrait in person.

After guests mingled and enjoyed wine and apps, I gave a brief talk on my mission, which is to help families celebrate their relationships by honoring their children. That’s the fuel behind what I do - to make children know they are loved and valued.

I get a lot of questions about my commissions, so I suggest that anyone interested read my FAQs page. In it, I give a brief overview of the process, breaking it down into three steps: first there's the consultation with me, then I take pictures and do sketches, then we celebrate with an unveiling party.

Obviously there’s more involved, but those are the basic steps.

But I’ve found with the moms I talk to , they often want to know their role in the commission process. Do they pick out the clothes, setting, pose, etc? Do they need to have an idea in their head of what it should look like?

The answer is no.

To make it clearer, I'll use this example. Imagine you are at Restaurant Iris. You’ve come because you’ve heard Kelly English is a great chef, and you trust he’s going to deliver a great meal. The waiter gives you the menu, and you choose an entrée. You may have little tweaks you’d like them to make, like no blue cheese, but you wouldn’t go into the kitchen and tell Kelly how to make the dish.

It’s the same with commissioning an artist.

My collectors come to me because they like my work and trust my vision. They trust that I can paint a beautiful portrait of their child.

I spend time getting to know the children I paint. I interview their parents. Then using what I know about them and my artistic expertise, I interpret their likeness in a portrait. I do not copy photos and I do not work from someone else’s photos. It limits my creative control.

And that’s the only way I can do my best work.

Sometimes my collectors have preferences, like they want their child painted outside, or in a favorite chair. I am happy to consider those preferences, but I always tell people it may not be what’s best for the portrait.

A great example was with a recent commission. My client wanted her son holding a family heirloom. Well, he was totally resistant to it and it would have made a very stiff, unnatural portrait. I went in a different direction and she loved the portrait.

That's how I continue to do consistently great work that my collectors love and adore. And that makes me happy.