Cool Story #1: A Collaboration
For the Love of a Granddaughter
My good friend Hope asked me to do this interesting project for her granddaughter Amber as a Christmas gift. Amber had grown up with her beloved horse Superfly: trail riding, showing, grooming, and just lounging around "talking." From personal experience, I know how deep the bond can be between a girl and her horse. When Superfly passed away that summer, the whole family was devastated.
Hope's Poem
Being a true poet at heart, Hope wrote a beautiful touching poem as a tribute to their special relationship. I painted this favorite image of theirs onto a custom canvas, being careful to lighten up the image from the photo. I also decoupaged Hope's poem beside it and painted the close-up headshot above it.
Amber & Superfly
The finished piece became a treasure. Here is Hope's testimonial:
“Hi! I've been meaning to write you since Christmas. The painting was a smash hit. Amber kept saying, 'Gramma I'm not going to cry.' I said 'Well I am' and I did. Especially when they asked me to read the poem....I blubbered. Everyone was blown away by your ability. Amber thanked me many times for the portrait."
—Hope B., Waterford, Michigan, 2016
Cool Story #2: Comanche
From Afar
While Lynne H. was living in Panama, Central America, she commissioned me to paint a portrait of her horse, Comanche. She emailed me some photos of him, and particularly liked this pose. We thought his coloring and features would be more enhanced in the calmer colors of the studio setting, vs. the green of the grass in the photo.
Simple and Beautiful
Sometimes a simple background is the best thing for a portrait. This way I could really bring out the tiny details of his mane and markings. When Lynne moved back to the States and had to sell her beloved "Butch", she was so glad she had this gorgeous memory of him.