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When I was a child riding through the historic neighborhoods of Little Rock, Arkansas, I loved catching glimpses of old Victorian houses on my way to ballet class.
My mom, wanting to encourage my artistic skill, would often say, “You ought to make paintings of houses. Did you know people paint portraits of homes to earn money?"
It took me a little while but now in my adult life, I fully understand why.
The Power of Home Illustrations
Homes are icons of the stories that unfold within them, and hand-painted portraits beautifully illustrate those stories, turning cherished spaces into works of art.
Home portraits become heirlooms and never lose their appeal.
A Personal Touch: The Gift That Inspired
A few years ago, my oldest daughter, Taylor, decided to hand-make a Christmas gift for me.
It was a portrait of our family home where we have lived for over twenty years. That portrait illustrated the essence of our life here where we
Became a family
Built our careers
Welcomed grandchildren
Mourned parents
Celebrated milestones and holidays
This handmade watercolor portrait illustrated where we've all grown up together. It was more than just a painting; it was a time capsule of our family's journey.
Recreating Memories: The Magic of Home Portraits
Taylor's gift inspired me to share that same experience with others. Paintings have a unique capacity to recreate moments in time.
They are excellent story tellers. Home portraits share the story of a life well loved. They are conversation starters for guests who share that life.
Preserving The Past
Paintings also preserve memories of times gone by. When Gary and I married, his mom generously offered to have us to stay with her while we looked for our first home in North Georgia.
Every evening, when I returned from work, I marveled at the huge oak tree in her front yard, with its stunning silhouette against the sunset.
It was like a big outstretched hug at the end of the day, marking the passing seasons.
It provided shade in summer when we prepped fresh corn for the freezer, showed off autumn leaves when we enjoyed that corn at Thanksgiving, and sheltered spring tulips where we hid Easter eggs.
Sadly, a few years after Myrt passed away, that stately oak fell during a storm.
Now, driving by that precious yellow house evokes a sense of loss making us miss all the more the mother who made that place so special.
The Artist's Privilege: Capturing What Time Has Taken
As an artist, I have the unique ability to preserve elements that may no longer exist and recreate cherished memories and stories that families want to keep alive.
Home portraits capture not just the physical structure, but the emotions and experiences associated with it.
Whether it's adding a beloved oak tree or recreating a specific moment in time, these paintings become powerful tools for preserving family legacies.
It is not just a piece of art – it's a visual time capsule of a family's story that honors the places and people that have shaped their lives.
Creating Custom Home Portraits: Preserving Memories Through Personalized Art
Whether it's a personalized gift, a memoire of a childhood home or house warming gift for a dream house finally bought, I love helping people capture the story those places hold in their hearts.
The commissioned art process starts with a conversation about the place they hold dear. Our discussions often include restoring elements that might no longer be there (like that old oak tree!).
I try to intuitively understand the feeling they want to convey with the portrait they are commissioning.
Do they want to honor the architecture and legacy? Maybe they want to feel a sense of playfulness and welcoming in the front yard, like when they were a kid.
Once I understand their vision and receive their photos, I make a rough sketch of the composition for approval.
This is where we make revisions and then the painting begins.
The beauty of artistic expression is that it evokes emotions that words often fail to adequately convey.
With my artistic efforts and their heartfelt vision, I am able create a unique piece of art that tells the story they want to tell over and over again.
And who knows? Maybe years from now, their kids or grandkids will look at their painting and feel the same rush of memories and emotions that I did ,after all, every home and every family has a story worth sharing.