The purchasers just came to pick up this commissioned portrait of their granddaughter Lyla last week. They were very pleased and said it was a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.

I met Lyla and her grandparents in November to take photographs. They chose the one they wanted me to work from. We decided to exclude some strands of her hair that crossed her face as well as distracting background elements.

As I worked on the painting over a number of sessions, I couldn’t help but smile back at Lyla. She has such a warm, lovely smile.