Complete: Remembering Molly

Just wrapped up this little cutie! This portrait was painted on an 8x10 canvas using acrylics. The reference photo was quite dark, with limited detail, and—since it was the only photo the owner had of their beloved pet who has since passed—I had to get a bit creative.

To bring more life and warmth into the piece, I lightened the background to a soft greenish-blue and deepened the red of the blanket she was laying on. I chose to omit the white and yellow blanket in the original image to help the composition flow better and draw more focus to the pet. The owner also requested a collar with her name, which I was happy to incorporate.

Considering the challenges, I’m really pleased with how it turned out. While I usually prefer painting portraits in oils for their richness and blending qualities, time was a factor for this one. Acrylics were the better choice for a quicker turnaround, especially to avoid muddied colors while working in layers.

Now… onto my next painting project!

Photo 

Remembering Molly—A Portrait of Love and Legacy

This pet portrait, Remembering Molly, is nearly complete—just a few final touches and it will be on its way to its new home. Each time I create a portrait of a beloved pet or person who has passed on, I’m deeply reminded of how fleeting and precious life truly is. One moment we’re here, and the next we’re a memory.

As difficult as loss can be, it’s a powerful reminder of how deeply we can love. A painting has the ability to capture the spirit, warmth, and personality of a life once lived—a life that still lingers in the hearts of those left behind. It’s my hope that each portrait I create brings comfort, joy, and a lasting connection to those cherished memories.

I feel truly honored and blessed to do this work.

As a hairstylist, I’ve also had the solemn privilege of giving some of my late clients their final hairstyle for their wake. It’s a tender responsibility that I never take lightly. Whether through hair or paint, I feel called to help people honor the ones they love.

Some call it a calling. Others say it’s a God-given talent. Whatever it is, I know it’s my passion—and it gives my life purpose.

Remembering Through Art: A Portrait of a Beloved Companion

My next painting is a commissioned piece—a portrait of a client’s beloved pet who has passed away. She only had one photo to share, which makes the process more challenging. With just a single image, I lose the benefit of multiple perspectives and the chance to truly capture the pet’s personality. To make it more difficult, the photo is quite dark and lacks fine detail. Still, I’ll work with what I have and do my best to bring this cherished companion to life on canvas.

Stay tuned to see how this sweet fur baby emerges, one brushstroke at a time.

Kelp In Motion: Complete

After several attempts to incorporate something unusual into this project, I ultimately decided to stick with the fish. At first, I had planned to include a mermaid or even a sunken ship—maybe both. But after some thoughtful consideration, I realized those additions might overwhelm the painting and make it feel too busy, especially given the limited size of the canvas. In the end, simplicity won out. Perhaps in a future piece, on a larger canvas, I’ll revisit the idea and let the mermaid take center stage.

Gift Of A Portrait Continued

The painting below was initially completed, but something didn’t sit right with me—the background felt off, and the hair color wasn’t quite what I had envisioned. To bring it closer to what I wanted, I deepened the background using a mix of burnt sienna, raw umber, and medium yellow, which gave it more warmth and depth. I also darkened the hair and made subtle adjustments to the skin tone. I'm much happier with how it's coming together now. The forehead still needs a bit more blending before I apply the final varnish, but overall, the changes have brought the piece closer to my original vision.

Link of post of original painting

Portrait received 

Gift Of A Portrait

Portrait painting is always a challenge. Capturing someone’s likeness from a single photograph often comes with its own set of hurdles—colors can feel off, and lighting isn’t always ideal. I’ve yet to try painting from life, as my sketching skills are still a work in progress. For now, I rely on printing the reference photo and using tracing paper to emboss the basic outline onto the canvas. It’s a method that helps me place the eyes, nose, and mouth proportionally, giving the portrait a solid foundation.

This particular piece was painted in acrylics on an 11x14 canvas and is a graduation gift for my niece. While I see areas that could use further refinement, I made the decision to stop before I risked overworking it and dulling the vibrancy. Working under a time constraint definitely has its drawbacks, but at least this piece will be delivered—rather than joining the stack of my many “misfit” paintings waiting in the wings.

Painting Collection: Babe’s Safari

Completed

Recently, I painted four individual safari animals for my grandson’s new bedroom. Afterward, I had an idea to include my grandson in one painting, sitting along side his new safari friends.

Click link to view Safari Animal Paintings

When beginning a painting I use an inspirational photo to guide my project. Sometimes, I use a digital photo to help refine my vision, and for this, I rely on the Procreate app. It’s a great tool that allows me to combine my artwork with digital photos. I can upload images of my paintings, then manipulate and arrange them within the app to find the best perspective and composition for each piece. It’s an essential part of my creative process. Then I transfer the idea onto my canvas and paint!

Beginning 

Work in progress 

Adding finishing touches