This post is long overdue. People often ask about the artwork in our foyer when they glimpse it on social media, so I finally wanted to share the story behind the piece: a pastel sibling portrait that means a lot to our family. It’s relaxed, intimate, and far from the stiff, formal family portraits that sometimes come to mind. Instead, it captures a quiet, ordinary moment between our kids—one of those small, fleeting interactions that feels true and familiar.
The portrait was created by our friend and neighbor, artist Robin Olivier. It’s a pastel drawing based on an iPhone photo I took a few years ago of the kids lying in bed and simply looking at each other. The simplicity of the original snapshot is exactly what makes the portrait so powerful: no special outfits, no exaggerated posing—just an honest moment captured and translated into soft, evocative pastels.
Below you can see a progress photo where Robin printed the original photo and used it as a reference for the pastel drawing on a large sheet of pastel paper. Seeing the process made the final piece even more meaningful to me, because it felt like the original emotion of the photograph had been carefully interpreted and preserved.
The finished artwork measures 12 x 12 inches—a size that fits nicely into the mat of a square 20 x 20-inch frame, such as a popular Ribba frame. That square composition gives the portrait a clean, modern presence on the wall without overwhelming the space. It would also look lovely in a more decorative frame if you prefer a dressier presentation; just have a mat cut with a 12 x 12-inch opening so the piece sits perfectly in place.
Robin typically creates portraits locally, and she also sells custom pieces through her shop. She offers sibling portraits, single-person portraits, pet portraits, and larger formats for families who want more than two figures. Her process is careful and takes several days, but the result is a tender, handcrafted piece that feels personal and timeless.
When I first saw the finished pastel, I cried. It fit perfectly into a frame I already had hanging in the foyer, so it went up immediately in the spot where I can see it every day. That daily view—walking by and stealing glimpses of their little faces—has made the piece something I treasure. I know there will come a day when they are teens and then adults, and I’ll be so grateful to have this small, unposed reminder of their childhood.
As I reflect on this portrait and other artwork in our home, I thought I’d share a short list of contemporary artists whose prints or originals we’ve displayed. These are artists whose work has resonated with us and helped shape the rooms we love:
- Claire Elsaesser — We own one of her prints for the bedroom and admire a larger beach-themed piece for its color and movement.
- Vita Koby Ikina — We have an original painting in our collection that adds a bold, graphic presence.
- Samantha French — Her prints bring a soft, dreamy quality that works beautifully in intimate spaces like the bedroom.
- Teil Duncan — We recently added a figure print and also own an original that complements the foyer’s tonal palette.
- Emily Jeffords — Her pieces add warmth to kitchens and dining rooms with playful, approachable imagery.
- Erin Gregory — A floral painting by Erin brightens our office with lush color and texture.
- Katie Daisy / The Wheatfield — Cheerful, nature-inspired prints are a favorite in our daughter’s room.
- HeloBirdie — Small original paintings from this artist are affordable and charming; they’ve become go-to pieces for playful accents.
- Lesli Devito — A talented artist whose work we’ve mentioned before and continue to admire.
- CatCoq — We have several whimsical prints by this artist in the children’s rooms and bonus spaces.
- Elizabeth Mayville — Her quirky illustrations and still lifes are perfect for seasonal rotation or a beach house vibe.
People often ask if we could do a full “art tour” of the house—either a photo tour or a video—to show where each piece hangs, how we framed it, and how we pair artworks together. That’s something we’re considering, so if you’d like an inside look at how we display and curate art at home, say so on social media. For now, I’m grateful for this little pastel that captures a quiet moment and for the artists whose work fills our rooms with personality.
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