When I was asked to paint the family home from this old black and white photo, I had lots of questions - where could I add some color? what flowers did they remember around the house? what was the landscape like? Once those questions were answered, I went to work. A gray green roof, sweet "crayon green" for the trim, 3 elm trees by a circle drive at the front, an old pump beside the house, hollyhocks, a few more flowers (my choice) were the clues I had to work from. At first it was rather daunting, but as I started to sketch and paint, I could see the composition and the picture in my head coming together. Then it was fun to apply my watercolors and create this painting - just what I always strive for! 

My patron was thrilled with the finished painting and chose to have fine art giclée prints made for her 5 siblings! Then I knew that I had succeeded in preserving their childhood memories of their family home - a happy place to play and thrive!