Saturday, December 25, 2010

Little Miracles

3.5x2.5 gouache on paper


click image to enlarge







T'is the Season for little miracles isn't it? I was fortunate to have been asked by my neighbor to paint little portraits of the day care children she takes care of at her facility. She initially wanted them to be about 8x10 in size.

I felt a little daunted by the prospect of completing 10 portraits by Christmas. I then presented her with the idea of making little paintings of gouache on ACEO cards. [3.5 inches by 2.5 inches watercolor paper] They would be encased in a plastic case with a magnetic backing for placing on a metal surface or they could display on a tiny easel that I would provide for each portrait. Thankfully she agreed with my proposal and after about 3 weeks, I finished them before Christmas for her to gift to the parents of her charges.

I wish you and your little miracles a very Happy Holiday!

25 comments:

Jo Castillo said...

What a wonderful way to do that. I bet the parents were soooo happy. Great bunch of kids/paintings!

Alice Thompson said...

Merry Christmas Sheila!

Starr said...

Oh those turned out adorable! great idea :)

Maria Kovalenko Leysens said...

Merry Christmas, Sheila! These are wonderful. Full of color and expression. Sure to be treasured!

Anthony Duce said...

A great idea. The paintings look great.

martinealison said...

Toujours ingénieuse notre Sheila! Je vous félicite, très joli résultat, vous pouvez être fière de ce challenge.
Je vous souhaite une joyeuse année remplie de bonheur et de paix pour vous et tous ceux que vous aimez.
Bisee

-Don said...

Well, Now I know why I haven't seen you around in a while... These are wonderful, Sheila. I'll bet the recipients of these little gifts will forever cherish them.

Merry Christmas!

-DOn

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

This is a wonderful project, Sheila and you did it with style.

So happy to see you posting again.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sheila, These are marvelous! Making the portraits so small must have been a bit of a challenge. They portraits are so nicely done! Smart.

Vern Schwarz said...

Good to see you back Sheila. These little portraits are beautifully done. Hope you are having a happy holiday season.

Sandy Sandy Art said...

GREAT JOB SHEILA! BEST WISHES NOW AND IN THE NEW YEAR!

Pam Holnback said...

How great that you were asked. And, what an incredible conclusion!

L.Holm said...

Beautiful new blog, and a wonderful collection of portraits. Merry Christmas and wishing you happiness in the new year, Sheila!

Lori Bonanni said...

Great idea Sheila! They are wonderfully done! Merry Christmas!

Douglas Hoover said...

Hey Sheila, these are wonderful! So great to see your work again :)

Hope you're having a wonderful holiday!

D.

Mark Sheeky said...

These look great Sheila, and what a wonderful idea too! It's nice to see you back in the blogosphere. I hope the holidays have been happy ones for you.

Darlene Twitchell said...

What a great idea! They're lovely!

Dana Cooper said...

Darling, Sheila...what a very special gift that must have been!

Celeste Bergin said...

what a great project....looks like you did a wonderful job of it! I bet the parents were blown away!

Nicki said...

Sheila,

I am so glad you are back! I've missed you!!!

As a parent I can tell you that there is not many presents I would love more than this. What a wonderful idea and you did such a great job. Congratulations!

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

Missed your cheerful voice - and I'm so happy you're back! What a wonderful project, and you did such a great job with them. Best present their parents could receive!

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

You are really cracking, Sheila. The portraits are fabulous!
Happy New Year!!

Dean Grey said...

She's baaaaaaack!

Yes, ACEO's rule!

This was a smart idea on your part, Sheila, especially since you were commissioned to do a handful of portraits at once.

This way each parent gets a wonderful little keepsake to take home and treasure!

-Dean

Sheila Estep said...

So Wonderful!, absolutely love them!!

Lokelani Forrest said...

Wow...you're back. You've been missed. Watched for your postings, but realized you were probably off doing something exciting. Great to have you back. Have a wonderful new year.