This post is long overdue. Whenever people spot the artwork in our foyer on Facebook or Instagram, I always say, “A good friend made that portrait of our kids! I’ve been meaning to write about it.” Well, today I finally am. Here’s the story behind that little piece of art that means so much to us.
The drawing arrived over a year ago. It’s a pastel portrait by our friend and neighbor Robin Olivier, who captures emotion so well. She based the piece on one of my favorite casual photos of the kids — an iPhone shot of them lying on our bed and looking at each other. The simplicity of the moment is exactly what I love about the finished drawing.
Below is a progress shot showing how she printed the photo to guide her on a large sheet of pastel paper:
Family portraits sometimes carry a formal, stiff reputation: posed people in fancy outfits in ornate frames. What I appreciate about Robin’s work is that it feels like a candid moment frozen in time — nothing staged, just a quiet exchange between siblings. That authenticity is what makes it resonate every time I walk into the foyer.
The final drawing measures 12 x 12 inches, which fits nicely into the mat of a 20 x 20-inch square frame (like Ikea’s Ribba). It would also look beautiful in a more decorative frame; you’d just need a mat with a 12 x 12-inch opening, which any framing shop can cut affordably.
Robin usually works locally but also sells pieces through her online shop. Her sibling portraits take a few days to complete and she offers other options as well: single-person portraits, subjects looking at the camera, pet portraits, multiple children, and larger sizes. If you’re looking for something intimate and personal, custom pastel work like this makes a wonderful keepsake.
I can’t overstate how much this drawing means to me. I teared up the first time I saw it. I got teary again when it slipped perfectly into the frame we already had in the foyer because I wanted to see it multiple times a day. That spot is ideal for enjoying it whenever we pass by.
Someday I’ll be walking down this hallway while they’re teenagers or off to college, and I’ll stop and look at these small faces on the wall and feel the tug of time — a reminder that they grow up so fast. That emotional connection is exactly why we chose to display this piece so prominently.
While we’re on the subject of artwork we love, here are several artists whose prints or originals hang around our home. These are names and styles we return to again and again:
- Claire Elsaesser – We have a smaller print of hers in our bedroom and admire larger pieces for beachy spaces.
- Vita Koby Ikina – We own an original painting in this style and love the bold colors and graphic quality.
- Samantha French – A lovely print of hers hangs in our bedroom and adds a soft, modern touch.
- Teil Duncan – We recently added a figure print and also own an original painting in our foyer with a similar feel.
- Emily Jeffords – Her work is in our kitchen and dining room; the pieces bring color and personality to those everyday spaces.
- Erin Gregory – We bought one of her floral paintings for our office and enjoy the fresh, painterly vibe.
- The Wheatfield / Katie Daisy – A print from this collection hangs in our daughter’s room and is a favorite for its warmth and whimsy.
- HeloBirdie – Small original paintings from this artist are affordable and charming; we ordered a couple and are excited to display them.
- Lesli Devito – We’ve mentioned Lesli before; her work has a unique voice we admire.
- CatCoq – Several prints from this artist are in our daughter’s room and our bonus room, adding playful, colorful scenes.
- Elizabeth Mayville – We ordered a cheeky bird-headed print for the beach house and love her other still lifes and figurative pieces.
A few readers have asked for an “art tour” of the house — either a video or a photo walkthrough showing what we have, where we got it, how it’s framed, and tips on pairings and gallery walls. Would you like to see that? Tell us on our social channels if you’re interested. For now, I’ll go touch up the mascara that betrayed me while I was getting sentimental — all black clothing and tears are a dramatic combination.
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