a few special portraits

I try not to bombard you with house portraits, but only share a few special ones here and there. These two were purchased from husbands looking to please their wives for their anniversaries. How thoughtful is that? The sweetest thing is the level of involvement most men take to insure their wives love the gift- emailing me with countless questions and pointing out every part of the house that's special to their wives so I'll be sure to include them in the portraits.

And, more often than not, these thoughtful husbands follow through by sending me emails after their wives open their new house portraits, detailing the entire event and saying things like "it made her tear up" and "it was the perfect gift" and "thank you so much."

The truth is that I'm the most grateful of all! It's such a blessing to work with such a kind tribe of customers who really care about their families and want to share what I do with them. I'm so thankful every day for the chance to serve people in a way I love most- through my art.

tropical house portrait

Today I wanted to just say THANK YOU for all of your support and kindness during my 12 Day Summer Sale and show you a little bit of a behind-the-scenes into my studio and life these past few weeks. The first photo is one I typically receive after someone purchases a Custom House Portrait from my shop. Once the details are discussed in full (usually through email), I gather my resources, make notes, stretch the paper, sketch the house, and begin the painting.

For this particular portrait the owner requested squirrels, trees, and a grey cat "looking lovingly at the birds." It's just such a dreamy place with wild looking landscaping. I love how the ferns are just taking over the yard and the ivy is growing up the side of the house. If I could get my garden to grow like that, I would. Then I'd take my favorite book and iced lemonade and sit out under the canopy in a hammock and read all afternoon and get nothing done at all. :)

*Just a reminder that prices on these are going up September 1st! If you like to plan ahead for Christmas, now is the time to buy. Browse the collection here.

Lately

custom 9x12 house portrat

custom 11x14 house portrait

 Lately I've had the pleasure of painting some really amazing homes. My absolute favorite is opening my inbox in the morning to find pictures of beautifully manicured lawns, orange striped cats, and big blooming trees and bushes. I just love it when the email reads "please include all the flowers in the front yard" or "feel free to spruce the painting up with flowers and ferns." I hear all sorts of stories about how far the house has come and how many trees the husband has planted and how meaningful each house is to its owner. I spend so much time looking at each house that I really can't help conjuring up my own stories. I truly am so thankful for all of those stories.

I've allowed myself a little break from personal painting for a while (and by that I mean paintings that aren't for sale). It's nice to have a "breather" and time each morning to write in my journal and doodle in the sketchbook, just to dream a little without the pressure of a deadline. The fruit of that quiet time will surely grow and ripen with each passing day until it is ready to be plucked from the tree and shared with the world.

Christmas waiting list

It's weird to be talking about Christmas right now with the heat of summer right creeping in through the windows, but I've been doing some thinking lately. Last year at this time I was working a full time job as well as running my business and didn't really know what to expect in terms of fulfilling Christmas orders. In fact, I didn't even start taking orders on my custom house portraits until October. I just barely finished them all in time for the holidays, and I worked such long hours that I didn't have much time to actually enjoy the Christmas season.

So this year, in an attempt to be better organized and more prepared for the rush, I'm opening my Christmas 2013 Wait List on all custom orders now. I've already started a list with names, and if you wish to be on that list just let me know! I'm not taking any payments now, but will contact you when the time comes and we'll work out the details for your portrait then. All I need is your name and email to reserve your spot on the list!

Please email me with your request at Michelle@TheArtofMichelle.com or visit my shop here for more details on what custom options I have to offer.

3 New House Portraits

Means Family House Portrait
11x14" Mixed Media on paper

Aunt Rhonda's House Portrait
8x10" Mixed Media on paper, mounted

The Grunder's House Portrait
8x10" Mixed Media on paper

It's no secret that I've been busy painting house portraits lately!  The puppies and kitties and birdies and trees and overgrown peachy blossoms are such charming additions to each painting.  Summer colors are vibrant and warm with dark deep greens and rich reds- my two favorites.  The bright summer sun makes all the colors warm and welcoming.  Every day we have lots of hungry birds at my house, pecking the ground for worms and fallen bird seed.  Neighbor cats lazily stroll down our sidewalk and sit on our front porch to watch birds swirling around treetops.  What makes these house portraits so fun for me is the challenge of combining the stories each family shares with my own sort of stories.  The tree in the last portrait, for example, is the tree the Grunders stand in front of for each family portrait, but has very nearly fallen down in recent years.  I wanted it to be a prominent part of the painting, and since I love trees and fall colors and birds, it was an easy painting to compose.  The music sheets are, of course, from my grandma's volumes of piano music and are my special addition to each portrait as they not only add visual interest but a sense of sentiment and whimsy.  Oh, and the gray kitty in my aunt's portrait is one she rescued and nursed back to health.  Can't you tell by her beautiful garden and content cat that she has a very nurturing touch? 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Custom House Portraits!

Custom House Portrait
8x10" Watercolor on paper, mounted

Can you believe it?  I'm painting houses!  Stepping outside of my normal routine of tall giraffes and twisty trees and woodland creatures, I'm finally doing custom house portraits.  Something, honestly, I wasn't too sure about at first.  But come to find out, I really love it and find myself wishing I could paint more!  I mean, just think of all the stories that a single house could tell.  Young couples getting married, babies being born, meals being shared, families moving in and moving out.  Years and years of stories.  I like to think that if my house could tell the story of my family, it'd be happy and peaceful and equally passionate.  Does your house have a story?  I now find myself day dreaming about all the houses I see as I drive or walk through my neighborhood, each with its own unique story to tell.

Here's a bit of good news: if you are interested in ordering a custom house portrait to either hang in your own home or give as a very thoughtful and generous gift to a loved one, I'm now offering them in two different sizes: 8x10 and 9x12 in.  I would love to paint your story!