Sunflowers for Hailee

"Sunflowers for Hailee"

16x20 oil on gallery wrapped canvas

(click on image for enlarged view)

The Beautiful Bride

I was contacted by a friend for a special request. We had met in High School which is located in Japan on a US Army base called Camp Zama.  We have not seen each other in over 40 years but reconnected thanks to Facebook and our alumni association.  His daughter was getting married in September and he asked if I could paint her favorite flower as a wedding gift from her parents.  I thought it was an amazing idea but then I felt the terrific pressure to make the painting as special as the sentiment behind the gift.  My friend and I worked out a few preferences but he left it primarily up to me.  It took about 3 weeks to bring it to a point to where I thought it was finished.  I hand inked a dedication to their daughter on the back of the canvas and shipped it off crossing my fingers.  My friend and his wife approved but we had to wait a couple more weeks until the wedding.  

A couple of days ago, he was kind enough to take the time in the hustle and bustle of reception and aftermath to snap a pic and then later send it to me saying that she "loved it."  I told him that the honor and pleasure was all mine for letting me be a part of such a special occasion in their family's life.