Pastel portrait painting of a young mother and her son at the ocean.
Pastel painting 10 inches x 13 inches SOLD
My collector has given his wife this portrait painting for Christmas, so I can finally post it without spoiling the surprise! He called me on Christmas day to tell me how much she liked it…and how she cried when she opened the package. What a joy to make someone happy by making the art I love to make. Another part of my life that I am very thankful for.
I just gave this pastel commission to my client and he loved it. His father was 47 when he was born and he’d never had a photo of the two of them together. When he was a boy in the 1940s, his dad, a train engineer, often took him to the rail yards to look at the mamouth machines. He provided me with 5 photos of himself when he was young, his only photo of his father (lounging on a sofa), a huge book of train photos and 2 railroad engineer caps. It was a daunting task to take all of that information and try to make it into a cohesive composition.
I felt like I was really creating an historical illustration, as opposed to a fine art pastel portrait. But I enjoyed the challenge and am looking forward to creating another commissioned painting of his wife and her father!
I just delivered this pastel pet portrait of a cute little borzoi puppy. It was a special commission for a dear friend of my father-in-law. I loved the setting: a field filled with dandelions. It helped give a lyrical feeling to the pastel painting. Just right for the innocent little pup.
If you have an animal buddy, why not capture them in a piece of art with a pet portrait?
I was pleased to be able to create a very personal pastel pet portrait of this sweet little pup. It was a special birthday gift for my client’s friend. I worked from a photo and had never met this little gal, but her large, soft eyes indicated a quiet, docile disposition. Just the kind of dog I adore and a perfect subject for a pastel painting too!
Have an animal buddy that you would like to capture in a pet portrait? I’d love to help you out…
Watercolor painting of the European-style fountain at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan
Watercolor painting 6 inches x 9 inches SOLD
My son-in-law’s sister was married last weekend. Many of the events, including the betrothal, shower and reception, were held at the beautiful Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan. As a special wedding present for the bride and groom, I created a watercolor painting of the European-style fountain that graces the grounds surrounding the hotel. It reminds me of the old fountains in the piazzas of Italy. They are off on their honeymoon now and haven’t opened their presents yet. Hope they don’t see this post!
Do you have a special place that you would like memorialized in a piece of art? I would be happy to paint a watercolor or pastel commission for you or a loved one. Contact me and we can chat!
What a cutie! This little Polish Lowland sheepdog was an absolute joy to work with. She posed for the camera as if she had been a top model for years! I swear she knew what her “best side” was. We had a ton of great photos to pick from and her owner was especially taken with this view.
Creating a pastel pet portrait is always challenging when your subject is someone’s cherished buddy, but I think I caught this little pup’s likeness. And her owner seemed to like the outcome of the pastel painting too!
Check out her response and other client’s comments on their paintings here.
9 separate watercolor portrait paintings. Finished size 36″ x 36″. Not for sale.
I’ve been working on this project for a couple of months–which is a very long time for me. I usually paint very quickly because I have absolutely no patience and I want instant gratification. Kind of like a child, no?
But this piece was important to me and worth the wait. These are portraits of 2 generations of my family–myself, 2 sisters, husbands and children. I plan to expand it to 16 watercolor portraits and add my mother, grandkids and new nephews as they marry into the family. But I wanted to have at least part of the quilt finished and mounted on the wall for our family Thanksgiving which will be at our house this year.
Because, after all, this IS what I am most thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!
(these 9 images were painted on the 12 by 12 inch watercolor canvas that has recently become available. I used only 3 colors throughout to harmonize all of the painting: alizarin crimson, utltramarine blue and cadium yellow medium. To finish and protect the paintings, I sprayed with Krylon finishing spray. No need for glass!)
Pastel painting commission of dowtown Saline, Michigan
Pastel painting 18 inches x 24 inches SOLD
I was so honored when River Gallery notified me that the art consultants for the new wing of the Saint Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital wanted me to create a large pastel commission of downtown Saline. I shot a lot of photo references and we settled on this storefront scene of the area on South Ann Arbor Street. Its a quaint little row of antique stores, barber and coffee shops and always looks picture perfect. I like painting architecture and I LOVE painting local scenes so this was a dream come true! I’m in the process of framing it and when it is done it will hang in the new community room of the hospital.
Watercolor landscape painting of Seminary Ridge in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Watercolor painting 6 inches x 9 inches SOLD
I have a close friend whose son-in-law is a Gettysburg fanatic. I can totally relate. After our last visit there, I think I have become a life long devotee. The place is filled with awe inspiring history and emotion. When you understand the story, and the horror, of those few days in 1863, it absolutely astounds you. My friend asked me to create a watercolor painting for her son-in-laws’s birthday and I was honored to do it. This watercolor commission recreates the view from Seminary Ridge, where the famous Pickett’s Charge began.
I just delivered this watercolor commission to a woman who asked me to create it as a birthday present for her best friend. They had recently visited Italy together and she wanted this watercolor landscape to commemorate their trip. THey both loved Portofino, a beautiful Mediterranean port on the east coast. I worked from a photo she provided but made composition changes and simplified the scene a bit. She was really happy with it. Now I can’t wait to hear what her friend thinks about her surprise art present!
Pastel pet portrait painting of a chocolate labrador
Pastel painting 8 inches x 10 inches SOLD
I delivered this pastel pet portrait painting to my client yesterday morning. I think she liked it. When she saw it she hugged me and got all “verklempfed.” There is nothing like creating a piece of art that really connects with the new owner. Absolutely makes my day!
I spent the rest of the day painting plein air pastel landscapes of the the countryside north of Ann Arbor and will post some of those images in the next few days.
Looking forward to the Saline Paint Out on Saturday, July 25th. We will paint all around the Saline area and then have a reception at the Two Twelve Arts Center from 4-6pm with the paintings available for sale. If you are interested, contact Taylor Jacobsen at
