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Watercolor portrait of Tudor-style home in Chesterfield, Missouri
Just completed on June 24th … a custom sized 13″ x 21″ watercolor portrait of a large Tudor-style stucco exterior home on a cul-de-sac in Chesterfield, Missouri. The artwork was commissioned to be a gift for an upcoming 40th wedding anniversary, which happens to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the couple’s purchase of the home — it will be a perfect and very thoughtful gift! The colorful landscape is portrayed in beautiful full bloom, and was a joy to paint! I hope the recipients will be surprised and delighted with their custom house portrait and congratulations and best wishes to them!
Watercolor portrait of commercial building in St. Louis, Missouri
Just completed on June 11th… an 11″ x 14″ watercolor of a handsome brick Tudor style commercial building located in St. Louis, Missouri. This portrait was commissioned to be a gift for the business owners of an accounting firm in honor of their many years at this location. I hope the recipients will be touched by their family’s thoughtfulness in choosing this special portrait gift, and it will be a cherished reminder of the excellent service they have provided their clients all these years. Congratulations and best wishes to them!
June 7, 2015 ~ Presentation of Hinkle Fieldhouse portrait
Special thanks to Vicki Collar for sharing a photo of her son Jonathan receiving his graduation gift — the framed artwork of the Hinkle Fieldhouse that she and her husband George recently commissioned. The 14″ x 22″ pen and ink with watercolor portrait of the historic Fieldhouse is a meaningful gift for him because he and his friends had spent many hours there enjoying Butler Bulldogs basketball games and then ultimately participated in the 2015 Butler University commencement ceremony at this beloved building. She let me know how thrilled he was to receive it during his graduation party, and the photo of he opening it while his girlfriend Erin looks on, says it all! Congratulations to Jonathan, and best wishes for a very successful career ahead!
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Surprise and delight for former owners of Cedar Rapids, Iowa home
While browsing the internet the other day, Kathryn Hoover of New Mexico, was surprised to see an image of a watercolor portrait of a home she and her family had formerly owned in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The original 16″ x 20″ watercolor portrait was one that I created in 2013 for the Smith family, the current owners. Kathryn let me know her family had lived there from 1971 – 1980, and how happy she was to see the home again — it brought back many fond memories of a place she and her family loved and remains one of her favorite residences even to this day!
Her husband, John Hoover, provided some very interesting information on the property. The builder was Bruce McKay of McKay Construction Company, and designed by Ken McKay, his brother, who was a prominent architect in Cedar Rapids and close friend of the family. In addition, although not documented, the word was that Grant Wood, renowned American regional artist, worked on the house during it’s construction — earmarks are arched doorways and some windows. Grant Wood is best known for his 1930 painting, “American Gothic”, and I found it interesting that he may have been part of the home’s history! I appreciated that the family took the time to let me know the background of this beautiful stone residence, and how happy they were to see my watercolor portrait online. Kathryn’s sister Deborah, inquired about obtaining a color print for a keepsake, and I was happy to let her know that it could be promptly made and shipped to her — Velham Printing, a local printing company here in St. Louis, will be creating the fine art reproduction archival quality print, and I know the family will be so pleased. It’s very gratifying to know that my watercolor portrait brought joy and good memories to not just one, but two families!
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Watercolor of large frame home in Jefferson, Pennsylvania
Just completed on May 29th…. a 16″ x 24″ watercolor of a spacious, two story frame home in Jefferson, Pennsylvania. This custom house portrait was commissioned by a client whose former home I portrayed in 2009 and he and his wife now wished for a portrait of their family’s new home. The artwork includes a depiction of their two small daughters standing and holding hands on the front porch — a sweet and precious touch that makes their portrait truly special. Best wishes to them in their new home!
