“When there’s a significant life event, I think about putting it in the paintings,” Jarrell said. The works have commemorated the birth of their son, the purchase of their first house, job changes and more. The paintings feature the Jarrells along with milestones of the previous year. We love the colors and Ian’s unique style. The first painting was such a successful gift that Jarrell now commissions one each year.īode’s casual style suits the couple, Jarrell added. Jarrell admired the way Ian Bode captures a variety of thoughts and feelings in cartoon-style works and faceless characters. When Josh Jarrell decided to surprise his wife, Stefanie, with a piece of art for their anniversary, he turned to a local artist in their hometown, Charleston, W.Va. “I wanted to give them that moment permanently,” said Char, of Newtown Square, Pa. She forwarded the photo to artist Jill Robostello, who used it as the basis of a watercolor painting. Kate Char got the idea to commission a painting after seeing a heartwarming photo of her parents on their 50th wedding anniversary trip to Paris. “Everyone wants to have a unique image,” he said. (Robert DeJesus via AP)Ĭustomers appreciate the work that goes into handmade images, said artist Robert DeJesus of West Lafayette, Ind., who creates Japanese anime style drawings for people. Artists in a variety of media can create portraits from photos or sittings. The internet has made it easier than ever to commission artwork, including painted portraits. “People are looking for something that’s got a little more personality, that’s not so instantaneous and that will have some longevity.” Robert DeJesus works from a photograph to make a sketch of Jaemin Deal. “You would think it would be dying out but it’s not,” he said. The fact that phone cameras are everywhere to capture important moments makes the idea of a painted portrait even more alluring, said Edward Jonas, chairman of the board for the Portrait Society of America. It remains popular because people are curious to see themselves portrayed through an artist’s eyes, said Tyler Cann, curator of contemporary art at the Columbus Museum of Art. Portrait subjects can also have themselves depicted as anime or cartoon characters, peg dolls, Lego figurines and more.Ĭommissioning portraits was for centuries the purview of the wealthy. The artists can showcase a family’s interests by portraying them at the beach, say, or bicycling or fishing. Would-be buyers can find artists working in a wide variety of styles and media who can create custom pieces based on photos and videos. The internet makes it easier than ever to commission artwork. “All I did was send her a couple of photos.” While the idea of commissioning an original work of art might “sound so fancy,” McDaniel said the process was simple. “It’s something special that (they) can always treasure and that can be shared with future generations,” said McDaniel, of Harrisburg, N.C. The piece, created by Oxnard, Calif., artist Nomi Wagner, hangs in her in-laws’ living room. McDaniel felt a painting had more permanence than photos, and could become a family heirloom. So last Christmas, she commissioned an artist to paint a family portrait featuring her in-laws and their immediate family: son, daughter, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren. Jewelette McDaniel always felt guilty about not sending photos often enough to her mother-in-law.
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