Commissioned as a special birthday gift for their father, this set of two small paintings was completed over the past two months. And I LOVE them!

Here's why:

1. The girls did not coordinate their outfits. They were photographed at different times and yet, somehow despite living miles apart, they complimented one another in their choices! One in black with eyelets in the fabric, the other in a pale white lace.

2. They are grownups! I'm mostly asked to paint children. But I think it says something when women are as treasured in their adult years as when they are young through a portrait.

3. The bit of a Mona Lisa smile in Rachel. And the kindness seen in Kaitlin's eyes. Both girls have beautiful smiles and it was difficult to choose which expression I wanted to capture in the portraits. (I seriously have at least five more for each of them that I wanted to paint!)

They are incredibly intelligent young ladies.  I am pretty sure these two will each be leaders in their own right, if they are not already.

4. Watercolor meets lace. The lace detailing took some time to paint.  For watercolorists, it entailed so much of that backward, saving the whites thinking - that very thing that is such a challenge but also one of those things that is most endearing to us.

5. The hair! So many lights and darks to capture in such beautiful tones! All these details were delightful!

6. Painting a set of sisters. My own are very important to me. I hoped that a hint of their own person was present but also in a way that showed how the two can compliment one another.

Unique yet still sharing much.

Thank you so much to this family for allowing me to be part of creating such a meaningful gift. It was an honor and a privilege!

"A sister is both your mirror - and your opposite." ~ Elizabeth Fishel