Sean and Haley contacted me to do this fun commission in January of 2005.

The couple got engaged shortly after they comissioned the piece. They wanted an initimate portrait they captured their closeness, as well as their love for each other.

Whenever I do a commissioned portrait, I work first from the feeling behind the person being painted, and the reason behind their choice to initiate the painting. In this way, each of my commissions becomes a very unique journey. I try very hard to get inside the head and personality of the subject, that's the only way I can capture the feelings convincingly.

The interview process for "Barstools and Butterflies" was done long distance, since the clients live in Park City, Utah - halfway across the state from me. I asked both Sean and Haley to individually send me an email that told the story of their meeting, and how they feel about each other.
They boh did a fantastic job of telling their stories.

I buried myself in their emails...their stories and memories. Among the many interesting details, I discovered a few things that stood out for me. One was how they met: sean was shopping for barstools for his home, and Haley was working as an interior designer for the store he had gone to. (a photo of the infamous barstools is included here in my reference pics!)

Another detail that stood out for me was the fact that although they sent me individual emails recouting their memories of their meeting, they both described a feeling of "butterflies" upon first seeing the other. That firey love at first sight, and flighty feeling of being hit by the thunderbolt.

Haley's email also included a bunch of sayings that the couple had written to each other on sentimental cards accompanying gifts. I loved this...very personal and unique to them...the back and forth communication of their love for one another as their relationship blossomed.

Normally, I take reference pics of the client first for portraits. But in this case, I flipped my process and did the preliminary sketches first.

Based on the email interviews, and the feelings behind this couple's reasons for comissioning this portrait, I prepared 4 sketches for them to choose from. The sketches I did were reflective of the couple's closeness, the obvious feelings of being in love, and feelings of caring for each other.

Sean and Haley wanted an intimate portrait, so I choce poses and attire (or lack of) that reflected the vulnerability and closeness of being intimate with someone.

The preliminary sketches I submitted to them are below!

The Reference Photos

Sean and Haley chose the sketch on the bottom left, and based on that, I scheduled a visit to their home in Park City to take reference photos of the couple.

The painting they selected to have was one where they were both nude. The couple posed for me in swimwear, so I would have the anatomy reference needed to do the potrait. I take alot more photos in my reference photo sessions than I have posted here, but below are a few I used to work from for the potrait.

Took some pics of the pose, full body and close up, shots of the hands and hairstyles. Sean has an amazing tatoo he wanted included in the portrait, so I took some shots of the tatoo details. Haley had a bracelet and ring she wanted included in the portrait: the ring was her engagement ring, and the bracelet was one that Sean gave her right before the couple made the decision to move in together.

I took several shots of their faces, as I was undecided at that time what pose to choose for the faces. When I had decided which view of the faces to do, I did the revised sketch (above, bottom right) with the facial features refined, and sent it to the client for thier AOK before starting the portrait.

The Painting in Progress

This painting is a large one: 38" x 48" to be exact. It took about 6 months to complete. It morphed, changed, shifted quite a bit as I worked on it.

Left are some pics of the painting in progress at different stages. It has silver leafing incorporated into the piece, and silver leafing burnished with black glazes around the gallery-wrapped edges.

Bottom left is a pic of Sean and Haley in front of their portrait at the opening reception of my Golden Show (June, 2005, Juiper Sky Fine Art Gallery - Kayenta). The couple came down from Park City to attend the show and took possession of their painting that night. So the portrait was on public display for one night only...the only silver-leafed painting in my painting show with a gold-leafing theme.

A Story-Book Ending...

Sean and Haley tied the knot later that summer, much to my delight! Although I was unable to make it up for their wedding, I was tickled they used a snapshot of my (their) painting on their wedding invitations. What a cool thing!

Thank you Sean and Haley...for being such fabulous models, and for presenting me with the opportunity as an artist to participate in your commemmoration of your love for each other. It has been both an honor, and a sincere pleasure.