"I had tears in my eyes"

I’m in the business of making people cry.  

Tears of joy, that is, when they see the finished portrait of their child.

It’s a moment my collectors have anticipated for months. They’ve seen the study, but it never does justice to the finished piece. There’s just something about standing in front of a painting of your child that brings out an overflow of emotions. Moms tell me it’s an experience they’ll never forget.

Each portrait is a testament of love between a mother and a child. Each portrait honors that love and celebrates the relationship. I'm honored to tell one such a story – the story of Tread and Hart.

Haynes' Story

Recently I began a portrait commission of Haynes Kiser. I painted his older brother, Tread, a couple of years ago. It was amazing how to see how much he’s changed since then.  

Their mom, Hart, was explaining to me the difference in the personalities of her boys. Tread is the typicall older brother- sweet, calm, compliant. Haynes is rambunctious and gregarious. Tread rolls his eyes at his brother’s antics, often miming “this guy’s crazy” behind his back.

Like a lot of young boys, Haynes loves to play outside. I tried taking his picture sitting down in various locations, but I found he was his most natural self when running around, kicking the ball, and just plain having fun.

Hart and her mother both agreed the portrait study was “so him.” Hart said it looked like he was “on the go,” which is perfect for Haynes.

Like his brother, Haynes is wearing a simple linen shirt and khaki shorts- nice, but not too formal. Very appropriate for a boy who loves to run around outdoors.

What is so beautiful about the Kiser Boys, and what I'm so inspired by, is their beautiful, almost-white, blond hair and tan skin.

Haynes was very sweet and easy to work with, despite his inability to sit still for very long. And I got the impression that if he had it his way, the portrait would be of him on his trampoline. Perfect for him but not so inspiring for me as an artist.

I fell in love Haynes’ lively spirit. He wasn’t at all upset to have his pictures taken, but was relieved when he got to change back into his t-shirt and gym shorts.

Haynes told me about the bucket list he was working on for school. Among the items checked off was eating a hamburger for the first time. He excitedly reported that he’ll get $50(!!) for completing the list.

Hart has told me in the past how much her portrait means to her. From our time together, I know how deeply she loves her boys. I’m so excited to help her celebrate Haynes and gift her another gift that she will treasure.

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.

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.