Designing unique artwork for the ones you love, based on their own history and personality and turning it into very special cards to announce a birth, wedding, anniversary....

I started to do this type of work when my first daughter was born.
I decided to draw a picture that she could keep when growing up and that she could relate to, picturing some of the things that were part of her environment and family history. I also wanted to use the image to turn it into a birth anouncement card that we would send to our family and friends.
Since, we have had another 2 children, each received their special painting and set of cards. I also prepared two paintings and cards for my sister's wedding and birth of her son, quickly followed by a serie of more works commissionned for birthdays and baby arrivals...

I am always exited about similar projects as I get to learn about the personal histories and cultural backgrounds of the couples or people who come to me with a special request.

The creative process...

Usually, I like to incorporate elements of the child's (or adult's!) life / likings / hobbies into the work.
Typically, during a first contact (around a cuppa or over the phone), I may enquire about the child personality and things that I could incorporate into the work. This is also the stage where one can indicate the prefered media and possibly the colour range, if this is critical to the final decor of the room it will be hung in.

Then I will go away on a "thinking break" (usually couple of weeks), doodle and come back with a few very rough sketches in B&W, showing different directions the illustration could go.

After receiving the commissioner's feedback and sometimes additional ideas, I go away again and come back with a nearly final sketch in B&W showing the final layout and elements of the picture. Once we agree that the final draft is it, I move on to the coloring phase which can take up to a few weeks.

The final artwork can be delivered framed or unframed.

If you have your own project you would like to discuss, if you have additional questions including quote, do email me or call....