Challenge
Create a memorial portrait honoring the client's father-in-law
A client came to me asking if I would paint a portrait of his father-in-law who had just passed away. The elder parent had adored his family, especially his little granddaughter, the client’s daughter. It was meant to be a gift to the client’s wife, but would be a portrait for the whole family to enjoy.
2021-22
Concept, Design, Painting
Private Client
Director: Maggie Parr
Sketches
The first step of the process starts with rough sketches. In this case, I kept seeing the granddaughter holding a dried dandelion.
The client later told me that his daughter’s favorite flower was a dried dandelion. This often happens to me when I work: I tap into a spiritual undercurrent of information that connects me to the person I’m painting.
Early Layers
Every painting looks pretty strange at first–I have to build enough paint on the canvas to form a foundation for future layers. I go back and forth correcting the forms. I try not to show the client these early versions!
Corrections
When I need to get a perfect likeness for a client, I’ll do several rounds of draw-overs in Photoshop to check my renderings against source materials.
Final Touches
Finally Done
After showing the client several versions, and incorporating his changes and suggestions, we agreed it was done. His family was so happy with the final painting. I checked in about six months later, and he said it had become a beloved fixture in their home. I loved hearing that!
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