Viewing entries in
Portraits

Just As You Are

Comment

Just As You Are

One of my favorites scenes from the movie, Bridget Jones’ Diary, is when Bridget is alone with Mark Darcy at a friend’s dinner party. She’s putting on her coat to leave what has been an awkward and embarrassing night as the only single person in a room full of Smug Married Couples, who all want to know why she’s not sprugged-up yet (that's British for married.)

Comment

The Beauty of Childhood

Comment

The Beauty of Childhood

Gracie_web1.jpg

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.

Child's Portrait, Charcoal, Gracie, Memphis, TN

 

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?

 

Comment

This Time Is Ours

Comment

This Time Is Ours

Matthew_web-e1405529974980.jpg

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.

 

Charcoal portrait, Matthew, Memphis, TN

 

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.

 

mitchell_web

 

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.

Comment

Drawing Emily and Kate

Comment

Drawing Emily and Kate

charcoal_portrait_emily_weber.jpg

charcoal_portrait_emily_weber charcoal_portrait_kate_weber

 

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.

Comment

Henry's Story

Comment

Henry's Story

child_portrait_oil_henry_martin.jpg

child_portrait_oil_henry_martin  

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.

Portrait Unveiling Party for Henry

 

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?

 

 

Comment