This post is long overdue. Whenever people spot the artwork in our foyer on our Facebook or Instagram and ask about it, I always mean to write a post explaining the story behind it. Finally, here it is: a closer look at the pastel portrait of our kids and how it came to hang in our home.
The drawing is a pastel portrait created by our friend and neighbor Robin Olivier. She translated a simple iPhone photo—one of my favorites of the kids, just lying on our bed and looking at each other—into this beautiful, intimate piece of art. I love that the portrait captures an ordinary, unposed moment rather than a stiff, formal family portrait. It feels honest and familiar: a private sibling exchange that we can now see every day when we come through the foyer.
You can see Robin working from a printed reference photo as she lays out the drawing on large pastel paper in the progress shot below:
The finished artwork measures 12 x 12 inches, which fits nicely into a square 20 x 20-inch mat and frame—our Ikea Ribba works perfectly. If you prefer a more decorative frame, a 17.5-inch metallic or gold frame looks elegant with a custom mat cut to reveal the 12 x 12-inch drawing. Any local framer can cut a mat like that affordably.
Robin accepts commissions locally and through her shop if you’re interested in a similar piece. Her sibling portraits typically take several days, and she also offers single-person portraits, different sizes, and pet portraits (she’s a fellow chihuahua owner and does a fantastic job with animals). Commissioned pastel pieces like this are a lovely way to preserve a candid moment in a form that’s both personal and display-ready.
This portrait means a great deal to me. I cried the first time I saw it, and then again when it slipped perfectly into the frame we already had on the wall. Placing it in the foyer ensures I get to see it many times a day—little reminders of this stage in our kids’ lives that I want to hold onto.
Someday these kids will be teenagers and then adults, and I’ll pass this hallway and see those small faces captured on the wall. I know I’ll be glad we preserved this moment in art—memories like these feel fragile and priceless.
While we’re on the subject of art we love, here are some other artists and prints that hang around our house. These are pieces we return to again and again because of their color, mood, and the way they fit our rooms:
- Claire Elsaesser – we have a print in our bedroom and a larger piece that feels perfect for a beach house.
- Vita Koby Ikina – an original painting that adds bold color and personality.
- Samantha French – a print of hers hangs in our bedroom and brings a soft, emotive touch.
- Teil Duncan – we recently added a figure print and also have an original painting with a similar vibe in the foyer.
- Emily Jeffords – her work hangs in both our kitchen and dining room, bringing warmth and color to everyday spaces.
- Erin Gregory – we added one of her floral paintings to our office for a cheerful, fresh touch.
- Katie Daisy / The Wheatfield – a print in our daughter’s room that’s bright and whimsical.
- HeloBirdie – small originals that are affordable and charming; I’ve ordered a couple to add to our collection.
- Lesli Devito – a favorite we’ve mentioned before for her distinctive, modern pieces.
- CatCoq – several prints in our daughter’s room and bonus room that bring bright, playful color.
- Elizabeth Mayville – a fun, quirky print we placed at the beach house and a few other pieces we’re considering for future rooms.
A few readers have asked for an “art tour” of the house—either photos or video—showing where we’ve placed pieces, how we framed them, and tips for designing groupings, grids, and gallery walls. Would you like to see that? Tell us on Facebook or Instagram if a tour would be helpful, and whether you prefer a photo tour or video walkthrough. For now, I’m off to fix my mascara after getting a little too sentimental in front of these sweet faces.
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