Custom Oil Portrait: Mother & Child

by Jessica Rockwell on December 13, 2010

Here’s a story about a young mother who wanted to surprise her husband with an oil portrait painting of herself with the new baby. A mother and child portrait —always a treasure!

Mother and Child Oil Portrait Painting

Custom Oil Portrait of Mother & Child at the Piano

First we arranged for the perfect time for the baby—well, toddler—after his nap, etc., etc. Then we photographed the two of them at the piano. You never know what to expect with a young little tyke, but  we all went with the flow and it was lots of fun. He was indeed cute, curious and kept trying to play the piano, for example. We handled that easily of course by closing the cover over the keys. It wasn’t until I started the painting that I realized how absolutely dull the piano looked with the keys hidden. When I returned to the “scene of the crime”—no, no, no—the joyous adventure!—to photograph the open keyboard, not only did I find the piano at a different angle but after various calculations Read more…

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Children Oil Portraits: Beach Buddies

by Jessica Rockwell on July 15, 2010

Children's OIl Portrait Beach Buddies

Oil Portrait of Children at the Beach

Two beautiful grandchildren. Favorite photo. Oil portrait needed!

The Anconas were both musicians and although retired, they gave of themselves to support music for the children of the public school system. Besides the weekly classes, they produced a grand production each year from their 300 recorder students, chorus, soloists, auditions, trips, etc. Their Yearly Holiday Letter had this report: “Our home, strewn with costumes, audio cassettes, and props again looks disenchanted. When we’re painting and making backdrops and up on 20-foot ladders, mounting the scenery and adjusting curtains and lights and mikes, the faculty looks askance. Our bones look awkward and we look tired. The students look pleased and the parents look entranced. We are completely consumed. Our other option is the rocking chair at home, which hovers ominously and is beginning to look more pleasant. This year the city gave us a commendation, but the students give us more in their accomplishments.”

This is the couple that asked me to paint their treasured grandchildren. After Read more…

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Children Oil Portraits: The Skater

by Jessica Rockwell on July 5, 2010

Childrens Portraits the Skater

Children Oil Portraits: The Skater

When I met Alyssa she was just 9 years old and quite the skater. Her mother, singer and writer Raven Kane, was doing everything that she could to be the good mom and help her daughter to reach her goals. Difficult for any mother to get up at 4:30 in the morning, she took her to skating rinks an hour or two away to the best instructors. Raven and Alyssa’s father, David Campbell (arranger, composer, conductor with over 450 platinum albums) were accustomed to the life of Hollywood musicians with evening schedules. Yet, their daughter had a passion, and they made it possible, no matter what. Thus a painting of her skating was the indispensable memory that was to be recorded of this phase of her life.

Gerry & I travelled up the mountain Read more…

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Norman Rockwell’s Legacy

by Jessica Rockwell on June 24, 2010

oil painting artist paints children's portraits of little boy

Children's Portrait of Mischievous Little Boy Painted by Jessica Rockwell

Norman Rockwell was more than just a great painter and illustrator. He actually was responsible for making available to everyone in an easy-to-understand and even enjoyable way the memories of a simpler and more hopeful life that doesn’t seem to exist today. I recently learned of someone else who wants to remember Norman Rockwell. He is Scotty Ingram and he was a child model for the master. In fact, he made a website (see below) to help keep these “memories” in mind and Norman Rockwell himself “Relevant, Recognized and Remembered.” I’d like to share some of the points that he makes, interwoven with my own because they fit so well together.

When we look at a Norman Rockwell painting, we realize that this was our country and it was good. If we had it then, we could have it again—an environment where children are safe; a nourishing family life; adults working together to build a community that is beneficial to all. Read more…

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My Cousin Norman Rockwell

by Jessica Rockwell on June 17, 2010

Oil Painting Artist with Portrait Oil Painting of Flower Girl

My client, Morgan Williams, had orchestrated a huge wedding on Long Island, for her daughter, including grand niece Vivi as flower girl. Morgan made sure that the little girl, who flew in with her parents from California, was greeted at their hotel with a princess dress, tiara and gloves laid out on her bed. Later at the wedding, the photographer happened to capture the moment as proudly-attired Vivi was introduced to her grand aunt. "Is she going to like me? Am I going to like her?" is written all over her face.

Norman Rockwell was a constant source of inspiration for me as an artist throughout my life. For example, when I was young and learned of him, saw his Saturday Evening Post Covers and had an interest in art, because he was my cousin, it made it seem very possible that I could be an artist too if I wanted. I grew up in Savannah, Georgia, of course—a long way from Vermont and Massachusetts where he lived and worked. To my knowledge my parents never even considered the idea that a little Southern cousin who liked to draw horses’ heads could impose upon this great celebrity, even if he was in our family. It wasn’t until he passed away in 1978, that I realized, now as an adult, that I could and should have made a pilgrimage to meet him myself once I had decided to major in art in college. Years later, after my father saw that I had truly made art my life’s work, he too regretted that we hadn’t made a concerted effort to meet the great Norman Rockwell. Read more…

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