This portrait of Journey became a turning point in an important part of my process: the power of the reference image.
I had painted her once before, but I knew I hadn’t fully captured her. Journey has a natural softness and beauty that simply didn’t come through in the original photo. Rather than accept a result that felt incomplete, I chose to begin again—this time using a school photograph that offered greater clarity, light, and presence.
The difference was immediate.
A strong reference image is the foundation of a successful portrait. It allows me to see more clearly—subtle expressions, natural light, and the details that make each child unique. From there, I can move beyond the photograph, softening what needs to be softened, refining what matters most, and creating a piece that feels both true and elevated.
This is why I guide my collectors through the photo selection process.
The right image doesn’t just improve a painting—it transforms it.
Journey’s portrait is a reflection of that transformation, and of the care taken to ensure that every commissioned piece captures not just a likeness, but the beauty and spirit of the person within it.