“Coco”
“Coco” for Luis In some ways, having back problem is awesome. It means I get to have more massages than the average person, and when you have a masseuse as awesome as Luis Tellez at Miami Wellness Solutions, trust me you are grateful for the occasional sore back. Luis lost his beloved greyhound Coco to cancer a couple months ago, and he asked me if I would be interested in doing a portrait of Coco in exchange for a couple massages. Clearly, my answer was yes. Barter is back! (back pun not intended) But seriously, Coco was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL dog, and I was really honored to...
Read More“Superheroes and Supervillains” for Elias
“Superheroes and Supervillains” for Elias, age 6 A couple months ago, I donated a custom toy portrait and matching stationary package to the New World Symphony here in Miami for their silent auction. The winner, a little boy named Elias, contacted me shortly after to redeem his gift certificate. There are a number of reasons doing this portrait was awesome: 1. It started with a super charming email from an almost-6-year-old. (“I’m an artist. I am almost six. I like your artwork. I am excited to get a portrait of my toys. What kind of paint do you...
Read More“Baby (aka Dora)” for Alia
“Baby (aka Dora)” for Alia, age 5 It was inevitable, I guess, that Dora would show up eventually. She’s beloved by millions of little boy’s and girls, but especially beloved by little Alia. Alia doesn’t call her Dora – to Alia, she’s just “Baby.” She’s had the doll since the day before her first birthday, and Alia’s “slept face planted on the doll ever since,” according to her mom.
Read More“The Night-Nights and Lion Quilt” for Brian
“The Night-Nights” for Brian, a grownup Grownup Brian has had his two Night-Night bears and the lion quilt his mom made since he was a wee little thing. Now he has a wee-little baby of his own, so his wife wanted to honor his toys and quilt without ACTUALLY subjecting their baby to the (as his wife claims) “unwashable, fairly loveworn – read gross – bears”. I think I’m going to add “helping to keep your baby clean” to my job...
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