Creating a portrait in memory of a loved one that has passed away continues to be a method to heal the wound from their passing and a way to hold their memory close. I’ve been honoured to have worked on many of these portraits over the years. Most recently, I completed a drawing where the father, who recently passed away, is with his two children, holding his daughter and with his arm around his son. It’s a keepsake that I hope will continue to give his children some comfort and love in remembering their relationship.
Pet portraits are a popular choice as well since we tend not to have as many digital or printed pictures of our pets. Well, unless you have a cat that likes to lounge in the sunlight and an instagram account. Then you probably have roughly five thousand pictures. Dog portraits create the bulk of pet memorial portraits and continue to be a loving way to display the furry family members who have moved on.
One incredibly challenging portrait that I’ve never posted on my social media or shared with anyone besides the recipients, was of a newborn who passed away after living for a few short months on life support. The parents didn’t have any photos of her without the equipment she required to breath so using the photos they did have, I drew a portrait without the equipment, filling in the gaps from other source materials. I wasn’t able to start this portrait for a few weeks after it was first requested. I had a young baby at the time and didn’t know if I could handle it emotionally. And honestly, after looking at the photos, I cried on the floor for quite a bit and then took the rest of the day off. I would describe myself as an empath and tend to take on a lot of other people’s pain as a result. I’m lucky to get their joy as well though. And that’s the benefit that helped me create the portrait. Knowing that it could give the recipients some small bit of closure and healing. My chest hurts now even thinking about it. I’ve had to turn others down, because they were too painful and I really need to protect myself sometimes. I’m not a super useful small business owner when I’m in tears on the floor. Although, sometimes it feels like that’s half the job.
A growing trend is asking artists to combine multiple subjects into one drawing, and more specifically, someone who has passed away with remaining family members. Whether they were able to meet in life or not, this can aid in fulfilling a void of missed time or a missed opportunity to have a relationship. Seeing them together in a realistic way brings that bond to life and honours the members included. Sure, photoshop can somewhat achieve this if the skills are there, but creating the portraits simultaneously in the process of drawing simulates a shared environment more realistically and more naturally. Whether it’s a grandparent that never had a chance to hold their grandchild or a sibling who passed away in a group of their sisters and brothers, it’s a way to always include the family that remain in your heart in your present life, every day. My first experience drawing this way was when I was still a teenager and added a sibling who had tragically passed into family portrait.
The portrait below is of a radiant woman who I didn’t know personally but who’s family members spoke so incredibly lovingly of. She lived in an assisted living facility as she got older and was often referred to as the Queen of her residence. I loved bringing out her glowing personality in pastels with warm hues and light. This portrait was a gift to the home and family who cared for her and will hang in the hall as a memorial to the light she brought to many people’s lives.
