Willow Portraits

Willow portraits are my all time favorite commissions. They are fun to paint, because they are all simple, yet they all end up looking so different. If you think about it, families are like that in real life too.

The idea for Willow portraits started out as a Christmas gift for a hard-to-buy-for family member. When I don’t know what to buy for someone that has everything, I try to get creative. So I knew she loved her Willow Angel Nativity Scene, and then I thought “let’s turn the whole family into a Willow Angel” scene! I painted it, she loved it, and that’s that!

What started as a sweet painting for a Christmas gift has turned out to be so much more for some families. I have painted many families that have lost loved ones, babies that were gone far too soon, and countless other situations. The simplistic style that I paint the Willow portraits in, allow me to include family members without worrying about the visible changes that come from sickness or even aging. For families that have precious angel babies, I am able to give them a family portrait that can memorialize those babies. I think it is especially sweet to paint mamas holding their babies when they may never had the chance. I often pray for the families as Im painting them, especially the families that are grieving. Painting often ends up as a time of unintended worship.

On a lighter note, lets chat about fun details. Pets are apart of the family too, and I love including them! I have painted a ton of dogs and cats. The craziest pet I have included in a Willow portrait are bees. The mom of the family was a beekeeper, and the teeny tiny bees turned out pretty cute! Another fun detail I love to include are children’s loveys. Sometimes they are blankets and other times its a worn down pink poodle or grey kitty.

Here are a few comments from clients that have received a Willow portrait:

“They have meant everything to me and my family. I've had you do three (3) for me in the past 2 years, one for each of our Children as they were about to walk down the aisle. The kids have all seemed to really appreciate and enjoy them. All have them proudly displayed in their respective homes. I'll be back for more, that's a guarantee! Thank you for the beautiful work!”

-Sonya R.

“My mom got one for Mother’s Day a few years ago and it’s still hangs in her house and now has my angel brother in it so it’s so so special to us“

-Kady F.

“It was one of the very first things hung in our new home! It is a treasure that I will cherish forever!”

-Emma H.