Painting a Forest of Memories in Georgia

Sometimes a custom home portrait isn’t about the actual house. For this 11x14 painting, my client wanted to capture a fleeting, deeply personal moment at her dear friend’s childhood home in Georgia—but without ever showing the house itself. Instead, the driveway stretches forward, flanked by a dense forest of trees, while her friend stands with her back to the viewer, quietly taking it all in. A single red cardinal stands off to the side, catching the eye and symbolically connecting the scene to her friend’s mother and the memories tied to the home.

"Absolutely stunning! Your attention to detail and talent are incredible! Thank you so much for creating this beautiful piece of artwork that will be cherished forever!"

Rendering this forest was a challenge—a lot of green, a lot of texture, and a lot of subtle shadow under the canopy. I layered pencil, watercolor, and gouache, even scratching away some paint to let the bark peek through, creating depth and visual interest throughout. The light around the cardinal was brightened on purpose, giving the eye a natural place to rest and tying the story together.

This piece pushed me creatively, but seeing how much the client and her friend loved it made every painstaking leaf totally worth it.

Learn how to commission a hand-painted watercolor portrait ➜