A West Bloomfield Watercolor House Portrait Full of Family Memories

The funny thing about memory is that it rarely cares about perfect composition.

This 8x10 watercolor house portrait was commissioned by a local client in West Bloomfield after her family sold their longtime home. To create the portrait, I worked from several different reference photos, combining details from each to capture the version of the house her family actually remembers—not just what happened to be visible in a single snapshot.

One of the most important elements was a large flowering tree where her children used to play. In reality, it sat farther off to the side, but it held so many memories that it deserved a more prominent role in the final painting.

The front view of the house presented another interesting challenge. A circular driveway and landscaped island sit directly in front of the home, lined with large shrubs that block much of the lower level from view. Initially, we considered leaving them out entirely so the architecture and front gardens could take center stage. But when my client reviewed the sketch, something felt off. The bushes may have hidden part of the house, but they were also part of arriving home. So instead of removing them completely, I painted a softened, suggested version that preserves the feeling of the approach while still allowing the house and landscaping details to shine.

Between this colonial's brick exterior, layered gardens, mature trees, and all the little decisions along the way, this piece became a reminder that a house portrait isn't always about painting exactly what was there. Sometimes it's about painting what people will miss when it's gone.

Learn how to commission a hand-painted watercolor house portrait ➜