Two brothers, two personalities

Cobbs, age 4, Charcoal

Each commission I do is special because each child is unique. Even at a young age, you can see their traits and characteristics developing. As an artist, it’s really interesting doing portraits of siblings because you get to see the differences in their personalities.

After all, it’s my mission to help children feel loved and valued for who they are. I do that by capturing what makes them unique in a portrait.

When I talked to mom, Tricia, she told me how each of her boys are similar and different. I met her oldest son, Campbell, several years ago when I took his photos in Dallas. Since then, the family has moved back to Memphis, where I met younger brother Cobbs and took his pictures.

It means so much to me when clients book me to do portraits of both of their kids, sometimes years in advance. It’s a testament to their faith in me and I really appreciate it. Plus, it’s so fun to see how the kids have grown and changed in just a few short years. As moms know, they grow up so quickly!

Campbell, Age 4, Charcoal

Tricia told me how Cobbs is mischievous, while his older brother, Campbell, is more reserved. Cobbs really has that twinkle in his eye, like he’s about to get into something he shouldn’t. But he’s just so cute you can’t get mad!

I know Tricia will look back on these years as her boys continue to grow and develop, and treasure these portraits. She kept telling me how excited she was to hang them side by side. Thankfully she has these portraits that capture those fleeting years of childhood.

What Really Matters

Henry Friary, Age 3, Oil on canvas

The good thing that comes out of these scary, anxious times like these is clarity. You realize what really matters and what’s worth preserving - family, friends, your health, etc. It can make you truly grateful for all of the gifts God has given you.

For my collectors, what they cherish most are their children.

One mom, Kristen, told me she didn’t truly understand love until she had children of her own.

During these challenging times, we hopefully realize how precious life is and how the best things can’t be bought. We realize what really matters.

That’s why it’s my mission to help children feel loved and valued for who they are. I love helping moms capture and celebrate their precious kids, forever preserving the fleeting moments of childhood.

Because without family, what do we really have?

My hope is that when these moms look at the portraits of their kids, they feel reminded of the most important things in life, and that’s love.

A Mom's Love, Captured

Hazel King, Age 6, Oil on canvas, Memphis, TN

The first time I met Hazel and her mom, Allison, I could feel the special bond they had. Before commissioning the portrait, Allison lovingly told me about her daughter and how much she wanted to capture this special time in her life.

She described Hazel as fun, energetic, and independent. She loves to read, make art, and participate in theater. Allison also sees Hazel changing a lot. She’s already lost her bottom teeth!

Her mom believed she was at such a young, fun age that needed to be captured.

I felt those aspects of Hazels’ personality as soon as I began taking her photograph and talking with her. She’s the apple of her mom’s eye.

It’s an honor for me as an artist to help moms like Allison capture this precious moment in their child’s life. Moms know how quickly children grow up. That’s why it’s so important to capture these fleeting moments.

As Hazel matures, I hope her portrait will be a reminder of the fun, innocent wonder of her childhood.

A Young Girl's Spirit

Ana, Age 4, Oil on canvas, Lynchburg, VA

To say Ana is vivacious is an understatement. Her mom, Patricia, is from the Dominican Republic and Ana has her fiery Latina spirit. It was a joy to paint her. Ana loves to dance and she's a real girly-girl. But she's confident in herself, even at such a young age.

At this special time in Ana's life, her mom wanted to capture her in a portrait. Patricia told me how quickly she saw her daughter growing and changing. Before she knew it, Ana was becoming an independent young girl. 

That's when Patricia contacted me about painting her portrait. 

I begin each commission with a consultation to get to know the parent and the child. This is a vital step in my process that allows me to more fully capture the personality of my young subject. That's because it's my mission to help kids feel loved and valued for who they are.

Ana is certainly loved and celebrated for who she is. Her portrait symbolizes that. 

Getting to Know Your Child

Laurel, Age 5, Oil on canvas

Some portrait artists work from photographs others have taken, but I don't. Getting to know the child I paint is a very important part of my process, and I couldn't create a portrait without it.

Actually, it's my mission to help children feel loved and valued for who they are by capturing their personality. I can't do that if I haven't met them!

I recently completed this commission for a family in Memphis of their daughter, Laurel. Laurel is five years old and the youngest in her family. She's sweet, thoughtful, and polite. It's clear she was ready to have her portrait hang alongside her brother and sister's:)

My time spent with the children helps make the portrait better. Plus, it's just more fun. When I go back to my studio to paint, I draw on my experience of being with that child plus the pictures I take. It makes for a richer, more life-like portrait.