I was contacted through my website about a possible portrait commision on January 17. After two days of correspondence Mark commissioned me to paint a portrait of his wife for their anniversary. The painting was to be from photo references of their thirtieth anniversary trip to France during the summer of 2019.
I had been painting in the Brittany region of France for ten glorious days that very summer with twelve other artists and was concluding my first time in France with a four day stay in Paris. I was alone and completely overwhelmed. A fellow artist and new friend recommended I join the food tour she had booked.
It was on this food tour in Paris where I met Mark and Lisa. They were delightful and fun and felt like home. They had just flown in and “hit the ground running”, if I remember correctly - to have dinner at the Eiffel Tower. I had this photo of Lisa and our guide from that happy day.
Who knew then that our paths would cross again?
Mark was very specific with what he wanted to have incorporated in the portrait and I was able to understand and catch his vision. I was excited to be a part of such a sweet experience.
I took the liberty of putting “Paris - Nice” instead of “Train to Nice” and I also added a MC❤️LC.
My daughter was so charmed by the notes Mark gave me that she took a photo of them and the portrait because it was such a thoughtful gift.
I think Mark was really concerned at one point during the process when I sent a cropped image of Lisa’s face, - This was the first he’d seen of anything - and nothing he’d mentioned was included. “The image you sent is not of the whole canvas, but just a shot of the middle right?” He politely asked.
As I was coming down to the finish of the painting I sent this photo. Usually I’d have a studio visit and make the changes while together with the client but this worked out perfectly.
You can see all the changes that followed. It truly is a collaboration.
Often the family will see something that I’m not noticing and have excellent insight. Mark and his daughter made suggestions, I made changes and here we are.
I enjoyed every aspect of this project, from the memories it brought back of Paris and my time there, to the opportunity of working with a man who values his wife and their shared life and desires to memorialize it.
Every care has been made to ensure that “Gare a’ Paris” will be treasured for generations. Archival mediums and surfaces make this an heirloom piece that will speak of beauty, hope, and love long after our day.
Thank you for allowing me to create this for you both and be a part in your joy. It has been an honor to share this moment with you.
I was contacted through my website about a possible portrait commision on January 17. After two days of correspondence Mark commissioned me to paint a portrait of his wife for their anniversary. The painting was to be from photo references of their thirtieth anniversary trip to France during the summer of 2019.
I had been painting in the Brittany region of France for ten glorious days that very summer with twelve other artists and was concluding my first time in France with a four day stay in Paris. I was alone and completely overwhelmed. A fellow artist and new friend recommended I join the food tour she had booked.
It was on this food tour in Paris where I met Mark and Lisa. They were delightful and fun and felt like home. They had just flown in and “hit the ground running”, if I remember correctly - to have dinner at the Eiffel Tower. I had this photo of Lisa and our guide from that happy day.
Who knew then that our paths would cross again?
Mark was very specific with what he wanted to have incorporated in the portrait and I was able to understand and catch his vision. I was excited to be a part of such a sweet experience.
I took the liberty of putting “Paris - Nice” instead of “Train to Nice” and I also added a MC❤️LC.
My daughter was so charmed by the notes Mark gave me that she took a photo of them and the portrait because it was such a thoughtful gift.
I think Mark was really concerned at one point during the process when I sent a cropped image of Lisa’s face, - This was the first he’d seen of anything - and nothing he’d mentioned was included. “The image you sent is not of the whole canvas, but just a shot of the middle right?” He politely asked.
As I was coming down to the finish of the painting I sent this photo. Usually I’d have a studio visit and make the changes while together with the client but this worked out perfectly.
You can see all the changes that followed. It truly is a collaboration.
Often the family will see something that I’m not noticing and have excellent insight. Mark and his daughter made suggestions, I made changes and here we are.
I enjoyed every aspect of this project, from the memories it brought back of Paris and my time there, to the opportunity of working with a man who values his wife and their shared life and desires to memorialize it.
Every care has been made to ensure that “Gare a’ Paris” will be treasured for generations. Archival mediums and surfaces make this an heirloom piece that will speak of beauty, hope, and love long after our day.
Thank you for allowing me to create this for you both and be a part in your joy. It has been an honor to share this moment with you.
Sincerely,
Krystal W. Brown