To Be Truly Seen

“Mac” Age 3 Oil on canvas, 24” x 30”

Everyone wants to matter in life. To know you’re loved, accepted and valued just as you are is something we all need and crave. Sadly, most of us can think of an instance when it was withheld from us. The lasting hurt can continue for years. Hopefully we all know that kind of unconditional love and acceptance, whether through our faith or through family and friends. To be truly known and loved is the ultimate aim.

When it comes to our kids, we want them to know deep down they are loved and accepted just as they are, unconditionally.

It’s the way I feel about my son, Jack, and I know it’s how you feel about your children too. It’s my mission to help kids feel loved and valued for who they are. The way I do that is through my art. By painting portraits that capture a child’s personality, I’m helping them know and feel how valued they are to their parents. Hopefully it gives them the confidence and security to go out and be themselves in a world that’s constantly evaluating people on their appearance, achievements, coolness, or social media pictures.

What would it be like to grow up knowing you were lovable just because you exist? I know that’s what we all crave, and I love helping children feel that and helping their parents express that. It’s a beautiful thing.

Until next time.

xoxo

Kate

The Most Precious Thing

Laurel, 16” x 20” Oil on canvas

For years I’ve been talking about my mission, to help children feel loved and valued for who they are. Since becoming a mom myself I can totally relate to my mission in a much deeper way.

Now that I’ve had a child of my own, that mission has hit home on a deeper level. I love this precious little boy so much, and as he gets older I know how important it will be to nurture his little personality and let him develop into who he’s supposed to be.

Already can see him growing and changing in incredible ways. Every day is different with Jack. He’s almost doubled in size in a few months and I feel like I know his little soul.

I can see how the moms I work with feel. Their kids are the most important things in the world. Sometimes your heart just melts when you look at them, and you can’t believe you can love someone so much.

As I continue on my mission, which is heartfelt and stems from some of my most painful moments, I feel an even deeper connection to it. It makes each portrait I do that much more meaningful.

Top Five Lessons from Moms

Eliie, 18 x 24, Charcoal, Memphis, TN

Over my ten plus years as a professional artist who specializes in children’s portraits, I’ve talked to a lot of moms about their experiences being parents. So for this Mother’s Day, I’d like to share the top five lessons from moms like you.

1. Take time for yourself. Whether it’s date nigh with your husband, a mani-pedi, a workout, or a tennis lesson, taking time for yourself helps you be a better mom. As one collector put it, when mom’s happy everyone’s happy!

2. Go easy on yourself. If you’re worried you’re not a good parent, you’re probably a great one! Don’t be so hard on yourself and realize we’re all just doing the best we can. No one is a perfect parent or has it all together all the time.

3. Being a mom is not a competitive sport. This one goes hand-in-hand with #2. We’ve all heard of “mom-petition;” the moms that try to do and be everything to their kids and seem to have it all together. Learn to relax a little and know that every child is different. It’s OK to have a bad day and what your friends do might not be best for your kids.

4. Listen to advice but do what works for you. When you’re pregnant everyone starts giving out advice on everything from child raising, to sleep training, to how to feed your baby. Take the good advice and discard the rest. Be polite and say thank you, but at the end of the day do what’s best for you and your child.

5. Kids grow up so fast. Probably the most important piece of advice you can hear. Children are young for only a fleeting amount of time. Savor it.

Moms, what are the best lessons you’ve learned raising kids? I’d love to hear it!

The Meaning of Mother

Gabby, Age 4, Oil on canvas, Memphis, TN

This Mother’s Day I want to reflect on the meaning of motherhood. The word mother means so many different things to people. I think I can say that having a good mother is one of the greatest blessings in life.

I became a mother myself this year and the word took on a new meaning. I finally understand what it means to love someone unconditionally and to desire only the best for them. When you’re a mom you know how much work, sacrifice and selflessness is required to raise kids. I once read an article that said you don’t have to be a saint, just be a parent. It’s the second closest thing:)

I’ve talked a lot about my mission over the years to help kids feel loved and valued for who they are. I do this by painting a portrait that captures their personality. But really this love comes from the moms I work with, and their desire to capture their children at a special time. Because when your kids are young they need you so much. You’ll always be a mom, but you won’t always be “ma-ma.”

They’re the real reason I’m able to do what I I do.

So thank-you moms. A mother’s love is truly something special. It’s my joy and honor to capture that in the work that I do.

That Perfect Age

Charlie VonSternberg, Age 4, Charcoal

One of the questions I get asked most often about my portraits of children is, when is the perfect age?!

Moms know how quickly their children grow and change when they’re young. As a new mom myself, I can attest to that! It feels like my five-month-old does something new everyday. I look back on pictures of him and can’t believe how much he’s changed! Where is the time going?!

My answer to this question is there is no “perfect age” in the life of a child. As long as they’re children, they will possess something special at each stage. Whether it’s a two-year-old with all the baby cuteness, or a six-year-old with his own interests and personality.

I will say, however, that most of the children I paint are between age three and six. That seems to be the magic sweet spot when they still have that baby innocence but are beginning to look more like themselves.

What makes my job so special is capturing that special time before it disappears. I LOVE helping families celebrate these precious little ones. They need us so much for a short period of time, and then they’re off on their own. But we can still hold them in our hearts:)

My mission, that I talk so much about, is to help children feel loved and valued for who they are. My portraits capture their personality and tell them they are the greatest gift. As parents we feel so privileged to be the ones to raise them. There’s nothing like it.

A commissioned portrait is a celebration of all that: the best thing in life, our kids, which make it worth living.