Friday, July 27, 2012

A Promise Fulfilled

My beautiful friend, Katrin, commissioned me to draw portraits of her two daughters a few years ago. Her daughters were teenagers at the time but she wanted portraits done from their baby books. She handed me two beautiful leather-bound photo albums with tissue paper between each page, each book lovingly telling the story of her family. I was honored to be trusted with her precious books and I was even a bit nervous for fear they would get damaged somehow. After hours, days, weeks of pouring over the photos I fell in love with Katrin, Nina and Maike, and these were the two portraits I drew for Katrin.


         
In the fall of 2010 Katrin asked me to draw a portrait of her Father. Unfortunately she fell ill with breast cancer and all winter while she had treatments of chemo, I was taking care of Sage and Malach. The kids and I were constantly sick with colds that season and I wasn't able to see Katrin at all. Much to my sorrow she died in the early spring last year. In honor of Katrin I wanted to do the portrait of her father for her family.
Finally this summer I have been able to pick up my pencil again and fulfill my promise. There was a point while drawing her father that Katrin's face was staring up at me, for awhile she was all I could see... I had to tell her to go away so I could concentrate on her dad. He died the year before Katrin, perhaps they are together now.

19 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful. You have honored your friend well, I'm sure she is looking down from heaven with a smile on her face.

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  2. Hello ShannonAnn,
    How are you? Your family ? I hope you are well . Beautiful portraits of your children's friend. It's great that you've taken the portrait of her dad. I am sure that she will see dad's portait from where she is and she will been happy with you .
    Olympia

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    1. Olympia, we are having a wonderful summer, thank-you for inquiring. And thank-you for your kind words. Xo's

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  3. Dear Shannon Ann- I had no idea you were so incredibly talented. What a touching story... the drawings have a lot of spirit in them...all happy and peaceful...xx

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    1. Sweet Mona, you are always so supportive, thank-you! Xo's

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  4. Such lovely work you do, I can see the love you put into your drawings.

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    1. Thank-you so much, and congratulations to you on your 15th anniversary! Xo's

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  5. How very very lovely. These are such beautiful portraits; your friend is sure to be smiling in heaven.

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    1. I feel sure she is too, thank-you for visiting. Xo's

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  6. These are wonderful Shannon, I'm particularly fond of the one you did of your friends father, so handsome and happy, good memories. I bet Katrin wanted to share them with you.

    xoxo Ro

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    1. Ro, I'm so glad you like him, he seems like a warm and loving man to me. It did feel like Katrin was right here with me while I worked on the portrait, and truth be told I think she has been here for awhile. Xo's

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  7. You're such a fantastic artist, dear ShannonAnn. There's so much life in these portraits. It is the most precious present for your friend, her memory and her family.

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    1. Dearest Amelie, cherished compliments, thank-you. Xo's

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  8. These are beautiful. I bet she is smiling down on you and loving it :)

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  9. Laura, so nice to see you again. It felt like she was right here with me while I was drawing her father. The portrait goes to Ireland to live with Katrin's sister. Xo's

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  10. Lovely portraits...So sad.
    xo

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  11. Thank you for following my blog!
    I like to chat about my family, recipes, knitting projects, --- it really is a potpourri of my life here in southeastern Ontario.
    Check back often!!
    Your portraits are beautiful.

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  12. You're a very gifted woman. The portraits really convey warmth and personality Shannon, they're are really special.

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Comments are welcomed and enjoyed.