CHILDREN IN PENCIL PORTRAITS

Keirah and Benjamin
original pencil portrait
9" x 12"

We have the most wonderful neighbours you could wish for! We have lived beside them for many years now, and they are always there when you need them. They have 4 girls,  who, as they have grown up through the years have animal-sat for us countless times when we went on trips. One of the girls was even my housecleaner for a while - and she did a quick and amazing job for me!
The mom, Cindy, has just had her 50th birthday, and we were able to attend the celebration. In thinking of what would be a meaningful gift for her, rather than a gag gift, I decided a portrait of her two grandchildren (her ONLY grandchildren) might be a treasure for her in years to come. So, I contacted her daughter, and asked for a high resolution of the children together. She sent me 3 photos, and I chose to do this one.
The children are both EXTREMELY fair - I mean we are talking about alabaster skin and white hair (where there is hair, that is). So, this was a good challenge for me to see if I could represent them without color to indicate their fairness- only graphite on paper. I am really pleased with the results - and hope Cindy is as well. They have just remodeled some of their house, so they will be choosing matting and framing for the piece. I wonder where she will hang this?
If you are interested in a pencil portrait for yourself or someone else, please contact me: jogiesbrecht@gmail.com.  You will love the instant joy which spreads across the face of the person who receives such a unique and enduring gift!

Joy!

This was such a fun painting to do! Everything about it is filled with happiness and joy. These times are definitely worth preserving - either on film or in a painting.

This painting is the first to be completed as a full-time artist. (Yes, I have now finished my job.) Yesterday was my last day, and the wonderful people I worked with had a fabulous Chinese food luncheon for me. It was a great time of laughter, reminiscing, and just enjoying one another's company. My friendships with many of my co-workers will continue. They are very special people to me. 

Now my task is to learn how to relax, rest, and regain energy... some believe I will work harder for myself than I did for others! The difference will be that I can stop at any time, and go for a walk, hop in the Jeep and go hunting for spectacular pictures, or run down to my garden and do some digging in the dirt. Just thinking about these things fills me with the same kind of joy that is in the painting above! Hmmmm... think I will take that joy and begin a new painting. :-)

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, or commissioning a special moment you would like preserved as a painting, please contact me: jogiesbrecht@gmail.com

"JOY" - a work in progress

Some time ago, a good friend e-mailed me a picture of his daughter-in-law and grandchildren having a blast at the beach. (Thanks, Dave!) This watercolor painting is my interpretation of that moment captured in time - pure joy in all 3 children and their mother as they play at the beach.  

There is still quite a bit of work to be done in this painting, but I am loving how it is coming along.  It is 12" x 15", and once matted and framed, will make a beautiful scene. Oh yes - by the way - the children are my grandchildren too! :-)

If you have a picture of a moment in time you would like painted, contact me for a commissioned piece (jogiesbrecht@gmail.com) . I would love to work with you to preserve your memory in the beauty of a painting!