Kolene Spicher Custom portrait of a young girl Mermaid

My Lil Daffodil 

A mermaid from Cape Cod. 

 

Silver Leafed Italian hand made frame 

This little angel is my latest custom portrait.  The painting is designed to sit on a shelf or a coffee table.  I call these my #littletreasures.  

I am unsure of her age.  I was told it, but I can't recall.  I think she is around 4. This is a portrait of a combination between these two photographs. 

When painting these smaller pieces, it is hard to maintain the folkiness of the mermaid without going too realistic.  I want this to be fun.  Everyone loves mermaids and Nantucket so that is why she is carrying a daffodil.  There is something about that particular flower.  I call it a flower in a flower...  I happen to know that this little girl is loved and treasured.  That is what she is, A flower in a flower. 

I paint the original on a big sheet of paper and then use the paper as a palette so that I can be sure that the colors are just right! 

The frames I custom order.  They are hand made and have a wonderful hand applied printed paper on the backs.  This will make a fine piece to add to this wonderful Grandma's collection of Folk ART.  Let's keep this wonderful unique style alive.  

Enjoy. 

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Custom Boy Portrait - Part 2

The process unfolds 

Look at the brush strokes in the grass, water, and his pants 

If you read my Custom Boy Portrait, Part 1, you will remember that the last picture that I presented had the young boy drawn in pencil.  It was what I call a composition drawing, something that I do before starting to paint. 

Saint Bernard 

The customer wanted a Saint Bernard in the painting along with a book and a ship.  It is fairly common to see portraits of this  period including both a dog and a book.  

  

I love his sweet little smile and the colors really pop on the high quality water-color paper. 

When deciding on the composition of this piece, remember I had said that it was important to illustrate the dog in such a way so as the viewer realized that the dog was  of a large variety.  Even as large as I made him, I could have gone bigger.  I know this because my neighbor (growing up) had a St. Bernard.  To me, it looked like a horse.   Let's just say this is a young St. Bernard.  

This is a great example of what I am talking about.  

In this shot, you can see that the dog is really large.  It is nearly as tall as the child.  

This was one of the paintings that the customer referenced when requesting a child with a book.  They liked the ship, too, so I have included a ship in the background of our painting, as well.  You can read about this painting by going to: 

http://kolenespicher.blogspot.com/2015/10/portrait-of-young-girl-auction-item-for.html

This is almost finished.  I really love this frame
and think that the painting is really very sweet! 

I will look at it for a few more days, probably till Monday or Tuesday and then send it to be framed if I don't see any adjustments to be made.  

Thanks for looking and I wish you all a happy New Year!!  

Enjoy 

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19th Century Reproduction Antique American Folk Art Child's Portrait

Lizzy

The Silver Spoon

She Was Barely One! 

She loves anything that moves and makes noise
hence the bird!  

This is a portrait of a little girl.  Actually, this is my niece and I will be giving this as a first birthday gift!  She is the most amazingly beautiful little gift and I couldn't wait to illustrate her likeness. 

She was Barely One! 

Everyone loves polka dots and this girl's personality can carry off Red like no other!  Full of fun and smiles, she is the best little baby! 

Why did I give her a silver spoon.  Well, this part is sort of tongue in cheek.  She's blessed.  She has so many people that adore her and she was so very wanted.  Everyone is happy to see her ALL THE TIME. But mostly the reason for the silver spoon is her incredible love for eating.  I have never seen a baby get so excited when she saw a jar of baby food.  She is in love with eating! 

This one's a gift from me! 

Thanks for looking!  Have a great day! 

Check out my Etsy store KOLENESPICHER.  Right now I have a miniature portrait for sale: 

The little round one! 

Enjoy the snow! 

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